VANCOUVER – Open Doors 2006, the
first-ever provincewide celebration of seniors’ housing
and care services, will help mark the International Day of Older
Persons, Health Minister George Abbott announced today at Haro Park
Centre.
Open Doors, a program initiated in 2005 by the Care Guide in
Ontario and later expanded into British Columbia, is a day of open
houses hosted by participating seniors' residences. Supported in
B.C. by a group of key public and private partners – BC
Retirement Communities Association, BC Care Providers Association,
the Ministry of Health, and BC Housing – Open Doors
2006 presents a wide range of housing and care options available to
seniors in this province.
“Open Doors is an excellent opportunity to showcase the
care options available to B.C. seniors today,” said
Abbott. “With 1,830 new beds as of July 2006, we are on
target to meet our commitment of 5,000 new beds by December 2008.
Seniors in B.C. now have better care options and more choices when
they are planning for their future health and lifestyle
needs.”
The number of B.C. seniors has grown at twice the rate of the
general population over the past 10 years. There are currently more
than half-a-million people over the age of 65. That age group will
increase to an estimated 1.16 million people by 2026.
“Today’s seniors are living longer,
healthier lives,” said the Ida Chong, Minister
responsible for Seniors’ Issues. “Most are
able to live independently for many years and the Province is
responding by supporting programs such as the expanded Shelter Aid
for Elderly Renters (SAFER) and Independent Living BC (ILBC), which
offer lower-income British Columbians more choices.”
“Seniors are as individual as any of us –
it’s the age of diversity,” said Carol
Omstead, president of BC Retirement Communities Association.
“Seniors over 75 want the freedom from home management
challenges, help close at hand and a more enjoyable lifestyle.
Retirement communities blend the sanctuary of private suites with
the joy of new friends, great meals, wellness and recreation
programs and care services. BCRCA communities will continue to push
the envelope and offer innovative housing and service options which
ensure choice and service excellence.”
Ed Helfrich, CEO of the BC Care Providers Association, representing
more than 110 facilities and home care agencies, believes this care
sector is at a critical crossroad wherein work being done today
will make a profound impact on future systems.
“Our rapidly growing population of senior citizens is
expected to double within the next 10 to 15 years,”
said Helfrich. “By opening our doors and engaging in
this valuable public education initiative, we encourage young and
old alike to think now about the quality of their later
years.” Helfrich hopes the event will promote
discussion among families around their long-term care needs and the
wide range of options available to them in British Columbia.
OPEN DOORS SHOWCASES SENIORS' HOUSING AND CARE OPTIONS
October 1st, 2006
- 30 -
BACKGROUNDER
International Day of Older Persons:
The General Assembly of the United Nations designated Oct. 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. The day was observed for the first time throughout the world in 1991. By selecting a special day for seniors, the Assembly gave recognition to the contributions of seniors and drew attention to a demographic phenomenon known as the greying of the population.
B.C.’s growing seniors’ population:
B.C. has one of the fastest-growing seniors’ populations in Canada. The province is currently home to about 600,000 seniors. Twenty years from now that number will almost double to over 1.16 million. By 2031, one in four British Columbians will be a senior.
Open houses across British Columbia:
Close to 100 seniors’ residences are participating in B.C.’s first-ever Open Doors event by holding open houses on October 1. A complete list of participating residences is available on the Open Doors website at www.opendoorscanada.org.
B.C. Open Doors partners:
Open Doors in B.C. was made possible through a unique partnership between public and private organizations involved in the provision of seniors’ housing and care.
In addition to the Ministry of Health, other partners include:
BC Retirement Communities Association
The BCRCA represents owners and operators of over 78 premier retirement and assisted living residences throughout B.C. They provide advocacy, leadership and networking for their members. They are committed to innovation, resident choice, and excellence.
BC Care Providers Association
Formed in 1977, the BC Care Providers Association members include non-profit and private care facilities as well as home support agencies that represent more than 10,000 beds and more than 10,000 home care clients in B.C.
BC Housing
BC Housing is the provincial crown agency that develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options for those most in need- including low-income seniors. Through programs like Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) and Independent Living BC (ILBC), they work with private, non-profit, and government partners to expand the range of housing choices for B.C. seniors.
The General Assembly of the United Nations designated Oct. 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. The day was observed for the first time throughout the world in 1991. By selecting a special day for seniors, the Assembly gave recognition to the contributions of seniors and drew attention to a demographic phenomenon known as the greying of the population.
B.C.’s growing seniors’ population:
B.C. has one of the fastest-growing seniors’ populations in Canada. The province is currently home to about 600,000 seniors. Twenty years from now that number will almost double to over 1.16 million. By 2031, one in four British Columbians will be a senior.
Open houses across British Columbia:
Close to 100 seniors’ residences are participating in B.C.’s first-ever Open Doors event by holding open houses on October 1. A complete list of participating residences is available on the Open Doors website at www.opendoorscanada.org.
B.C. Open Doors partners:
Open Doors in B.C. was made possible through a unique partnership between public and private organizations involved in the provision of seniors’ housing and care.
In addition to the Ministry of Health, other partners include:
BC Retirement Communities Association
The BCRCA represents owners and operators of over 78 premier retirement and assisted living residences throughout B.C. They provide advocacy, leadership and networking for their members. They are committed to innovation, resident choice, and excellence.
BC Care Providers Association
Formed in 1977, the BC Care Providers Association members include non-profit and private care facilities as well as home support agencies that represent more than 10,000 beds and more than 10,000 home care clients in B.C.
BC Housing
BC Housing is the provincial crown agency that develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options for those most in need- including low-income seniors. Through programs like Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) and Independent Living BC (ILBC), they work with private, non-profit, and government partners to expand the range of housing choices for B.C. seniors.
- 30 -
Media contact:
Susan Thom
BC Housing
604 230-1301 (cell)
BC Housing
604 230-1301 (cell)
Carol Omstead
BC Retirement Communities Association
778 998-3711
BC Retirement Communities Association
778 998-3711
Kate Hildebrandt
BC Care Providers Association
604 736-4233 ext. 228
778 848-4404 (cell)
BC Care Providers Association
604 736-4233 ext. 228
778 848-4404 (cell)
For more information on government services or to
subscribe to the Province's news feeds using RSS, visit the
Province's website at
www.gov.bc.ca.