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The First Six Months. April - September 2014. Who is The Advocate. Appointed Advocate March 2014 Led BC’s largest not-for-profit delivering homecare , licensed dementia care, community services and assisted living Introduced a national best practice dementia care facility
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The First Six Months April - September 2014
Who is The Advocate • Appointed Advocate March 2014 • Led BC’s largest not-for-profit delivering homecare, licensed dementia care, community services and assisted living • Introduced a national best practice dementia care facility • Served on these Boards: • BC Medical Services Commission • Canadian Home care Association • BC Care providers • BC Care Aide Registry
Origins of the Office • Increased attention: issues related to seniors • Ombudsperson reports – 2010-2012 • Seniors Action Plan – February 2012 • Office of the Seniors Advocate legislation – February 2013 • PSA recruitment for SA December 2013 • Appointment March 2014
The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013 Responsibilities: • MONITOR:Provision of seniors’ services • ANALYZE:Issues that the Advocate believes are important to the welfare of seniors • ADVOCATE:In the interests of seniors • INFORM & REPORT:To the public & individuals
The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013 Responsibilities: MONITOR – ANALYZE – ADVOCATE – REPORT: Prescribed programs, services & support systems related to: • Healthcare • Personal Care • Housing • Transportation • Income Support
The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013 Things The Advocate May Do: • Identify & Analyze Systemic Challenges • Collaboration to improve service effectiveness and efficiency • Promote awareness of systemic challenges and resources available to seniors • Make recommendations to Government & to service providers • Refer individual complaints appropriately
The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013 Legislated Duty: • Advise in an independent manner:The Minister, public officials and service providers • Report to the Public: In any way deemed appropriate • Report Annually to the Minister
The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013 Minister: • Must make public all reports by the Advocate as soon as reasonably practical • May ask the Seniors Advocate to undertake actions
The First Six Months • Secured office Space – Victoria • Hired Key Staff • Provincial Listening Tour • 25+ communities • Vancouver Island - fall 2014 • Stakeholder Engagement Sessions • 40+ advocacy and service provider groups • Analysis of Listening Tour and Consultations
Office Staff Bev Biffard – Executive Coordinator Bruce Ronayne Executive Director Systemic Enquiry Mark Blandford Deputy Advocate Susan Karim Masters Coop Student Margaret Case Manager Communications
What We Have Been Told • Housing – Multiple issues reported • Seniors on lowest income levels have significant difficulties • Fragmented services delivery system • Dementia Care – community and residential • Transportation
Next Steps • Begin monitoring in 2015 • Establish Council of Advisors • Draft schedule of reports • Ongoing community engagement “A Conversation with the Seniors Advocate”
Future Contact: October Telephone Contact 1-877-952-3181 Email: seniorsadvocate@gov.bc.ca