The aging population in British Columbia is facing a critical shortage of long-term care facilities, as highlighted in a recent report by the Office of the Seniors Advocate B.C. While the number of long-term care beds has increased by approximately five percent in recent years, the senior population aged 65 and above has surged by nearly 20 percent.
As a result, over 7,000 individuals are currently on a waitlist for long-term care, marking a 200 percent increase over the last decade, according to Dan Levitt, B.C.’s Seniors Advocate. The average waiting period has now extended to 10 months, causing seniors to linger at home or in hospitals longer than necessary, straining families and the healthcare system.
Lisa Dawson, president of the Independent Long-Term Care Councils Association of BC, shared her personal experience of caring for her father at home while awaiting a spot in a long-term care facility. She emphasized the escalating challenges faced by both staff and residents due to capacity issues and the rising complexity of care needs.
Expressing concerns about staff exhaustion and frustration, Dawson stressed the urgent need for changes to address the escalating situation. Levitt echoed the call for action, stating the requirement for an additional 16,000 beds in the next decade to meet the growing demand.
The lack of a detailed capacity plan beyond 2030 raises uncertainties about the future adequacy of long-term care facilities in meeting seniors’ needs. Advocates are urging the government to prioritize investments in long-term care to provide the quality of care that seniors deserve.
Despite attempts to contact the B.C. Ministry of Health for comments, no response was received by the deadline.