Community Resources
Looking for additional resources?
Click on any of the categories below to access information on provincial resources and supports available for B.C. seniors and those who support them.
Categories
Accessing Publicly Subsidized Housing & Care Options
BC Housing Seniors’ Supportive Housing Program
BC Housing’s Seniors’ Supportive Housing Program provides housing and support services to older adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. The program assists low-income British Columbians who are 55 years of age or older, and people of any age who have a disability or diminished ability.
Contact information
- Phone: 604-433-2218, or toll-free from anywhere in B.C. at 1-800-257-7756
BC211
BC211 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community. The service provides information and referrals to a broad range of community, government, and social services that assist in areas such as: basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, support for seniors, and more.
Contact information
- Phone (or text): 2-1-1
- Email: Submit an email inquiry and receive a response within 24 hours by clicking here
Local Home & Community Care Office
Those seeking publicly subsidized services such as home support, long-term care, adult day programs, or assisted living can contact their local home and community care office to find out if they are eligible.
Contact information
- Phone: Contact numbers differ by health authority; to find local numbers, click here
Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters
The Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) program helps make rents affordable for B.C. seniors with low to moderate incomes. SAFER provides monthly cash payments to subsidize rents for eligible residents who are 60+.
Contact information:
- Phone: 604-433-2218, or toll-free from anywhere in B.C. at 1-800-257-7756
Caregiver Support
British Columbia Bereavement Helpline
The Bereavement Helpline is a free and confidential service that connects the public to grief support services within the province of B.C. You can call the BC Bereavement Helpline and speak with one of their caring volunteers for information on their bereavement support groups, agencies, and peer-based support.
Contact information
- Phone: 604-738-9950 or toll-free at 1-877-779-2223
- Email: contact@bcbh.ca
Caregiver Support Line (Operated by Family Caregivers of BC)
Family Caregivers of BC (FCBC) is a provincial, not-for-profit that supports over one million people in B.C. who provide physical and/or emotional care to a family member, friend, or neighbour. FCBC supports caregivers by providing access to information, education, and supports so that caregivers feel more confident and successful in their important role; including one-on-one emotional support, caregiver support groups, health care system navigation, and free educational resources.
Contact information
- Phone: Toll-free at 1-877-520-3267
First Link® Dementia Helpline (Operated by the Alzheimer Society of BC)
The First Link® Dementia Helpline is for anyone affected by dementia, whether professionally or personally. Helpline staff and volunteers give people the support they need, when they need it.
Contact information
- Phone: Toll free at 1-800-936-6033
Parkinson Society BC
Parkinson Society BC (PSBC) staff are committed to offering support, sharing reliable information, and providing education for people living with Parkinson’s, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. You can call the PSBC information line to connect with one of their support services team members.
Contact information
- Phone: Toll-free at 1-800-668-3330
For Those Living with a Health Condition
BC Cancer Agency
The BC Cancer Agency offers various services and support programs to cancer patients and their family members.
Learn more by clicking here.
First Link® Dementia Helpline (Operated by the Alzheimer Society of BC)
The First Link® Dementia Helpline is for anyone affected by dementia, whether professionally or personally. Helpline staff and volunteers give people the support they need, when they need it.
Contact information
- Phone: Toll free at 1-800-936-6033
Parkinson Society BC
Parkinson Society BC (PSBC) staff are committed to offering support, sharing reliable information, and providing education for people living with Parkinson’s, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. You can call the PSBC information line to connect with one of their support services team members.
Contact information
- Phone: Toll-free at 1-800-668-3330
Advance Planning & Legal
Advance Care Planning Canada
Advance Care Planning (ACP) Canada’s website highlights the latest news, updates, activities, and events regarding advance care planning across the country. While providing these updates, ACP Canada also offers various tools and resources developed for individuals and families to assist them in making appropriate decisions regarding end of life care.
Learn more by clicking here.
BC211
BC211 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community. The service provides information and referrals to a broad range of community, government, and social services that assist in areas such as: basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, support for seniors, and more.
Contact information
- Phone (or text): 2-1-1
- Email: Submit an email inquiry and receive a response within 24 hours by clicking here
HealthLink BC (Advance Care Planning)
Advance care planning is the process of thinking about and writing down your wishes or instructions for present or future health care treatment in the event you become incapable of deciding for yourself. HealthLink BC provides information and resources about advance care planning in B.C., including tools to get started with making a plan.
Learn more by clicking here.
Nidus
Nidus provides personal planning education, support, and assistance to British Columbians. Nidus also operates a centralized Registry for personal planning documents in partnership with Juricert Inc. of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Contact information
- Email (Nidus Resource Centre): info@nidus.ca
- Email (Personal Planning Registry): registry@nidus.ca
People’s Law School
People’s Law School is a non-profit society in B.C. dedicated to making the law accessible to everyone. People’s Law School provides free legal education and information to help British Columbian’s effectively deal with everyday legal problems.
Learn more by clicking here.
Seniors Abuse and Information Line (Operated by Seniors First BC)
The province-wide and confidential Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) is a safe place for older adults and those who care about them to talk to a trained intake worker about abuse or mistreatment, receive information, and obtain support about issues that impact the health and well-being of an older adult. SAIL intake workers are trained to provide a listening, non-judgmental, and supportive ear, and provide resources and referrals to their free internal programs and support.
Seniors First BC also offers pro bono legal services to eligible older adults residing in B.C. on a wide range of legal matters, through their Elder Law Clinic. Individuals can be connected to this service by calling the SAIL line.
Contact information
- Phone: 604-437-1940, or toll-free at 1-866-437-1940
Crises, Concerns & Complaints
1800SUICIDE
The 1800SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) network has supported tens of thousands of callers throughout B.C., ensuring that people have access to skilled suicide assessment and intervention when they need it most. The focus is on answering and supporting suicide-related calls. Crisis line workers use evidence-based techniques and a province-wide Emergency Resource Database to support callers. When needed, crisis line workers are able to provide intervention through emergency mental health teams and other emergency services.
Contact information
- Phone: 1-800-784-2433 (1800SUICIDE)
310Mental Health Support
310Mental Health Support (310-6789) is the toll-free access to emotional support, information, and resources specific to mental health in B.C.
Contact information
- Phone: 310-6789 (no need to dial area code)
After a Death Checklist
In B.C., when someone dies and you need to look after their affairs, you will make decisions about what to do next. This checklist helps you determine who to notify and keeps you organized.
BC211
BC211 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community. The service provides information and referrals to a broad range of community, government, and social services that assist in areas such as: basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, support for seniors, and more.
Contact information
- Phone (or text): 2-1-1
- Email: Submit an email inquiry and receive a response within 24 hours by clicking here
British Columbia Bereavement Helpline
The Bereavement Helpline is a free and confidential service that connects the public to grief support services within the province of B.C. You can call the BC Bereavement Helpline and speak with one of their caring volunteers for information on their bereavement support groups, agencies, and peer-based support.
Contact information
- Phone: 604-738-9950 or toll-free at 1-877-779-2223
- Email: contact@bcbh.ca
Office of the BC Ombudsperson
The Office of the BC Ombudsperson assists with and investigates complaints from members of the public about the administration of government programs and services. Whether it’s a delay in receiving service or a disagreement with a decision made, they impartially listen and work to find fair solutions to problems that come to them. Their services are free and confidential.
Contact information
- Phone: 1-800-567-3247
- Email: info@bcombudsperson.ca (general inquiries only*)
*If you wish to file a complaint, please click here.
Office of the Seniors Advocate
The Office of the Seniors Advocate (OSA) monitors and analyzes seniors services and issues in B.C., and makes recommendations to government and service providers to address systemic issues. The OSA also provides information and referrals for individuals who are navigating seniors services and tracks their concerns, which helps inform future work. The services which the OSA monitors are in five key areas: health care, housing, income supports, community supports, and transportation.
- Phone: 250-952-3181, or toll-free at 1-877-952-3181
- Email: info@seniorsadvocatebc.ca
Patient Care Quality Office
The Patient Care Quality Office (PCQO) is available to assist individuals looking to file formal complaints about the quality of publicly subsidized health care services in B.C., after all other avenues for resolution have been exhausted.
Contact information
- Phone: Contact numbers vary depending on health authority; to find local numbers, click here
Public Guardian and Trustee
The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) helps protect the legal, financial, personal, and health care interests of adults who require assistance in decision making. When the PGT receives reports or allegations of financial abuse, neglect or self neglect, their staff will gather information and determine if further investigation is required.
Contact information
- Phone: 604-660-4444
- Email: Submit an email enquiry to the PGT by clicking here (general enquiries only*)
*If you have concerns about the financial and legal affairs of a vulnerable adult and would like to make a report, you can submit a referral form via the PGT website by clicking here.
Seniors Abuse and Information Line (Operated by Seniors First BC)
The province-wide and confidential Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) is a safe place for older adults and those who care about them to talk to a trained intake worker about abuse or mistreatment, receive information, and obtain support about issues that impact the health and well-being of an older adult. SAIL intake workers are trained to provide a listening, non-judgmental, and supportive ear, and provide resources and referrals to their free internal programs and support.
Seniors First BC also offers pro bono legal services to eligible older adults residing in B.C. on a wide range of legal matters, through their Elder Law Clinic. Individuals can be connected to this service by calling the SAIL line.
Contact information
- Phone: 604-437-1940, or toll-free at 1-866-437-1940
Seniors Distress Line (Operated by The Crisis Centre of BC)
The Crisis Centre of BC is dedicated to providing help and hope to individuals, organizations, and communities. Their Distress Services programs provide support to vulnerable individuals across B.C. Services are delivered by highly trained volunteers and paid responders who provide non-judgmental emotional support through risk assessment, collaborative safety planning, and short-term follow-up by phone. They also engage in emergency rescue services as needed.
Contact information
- Phone: 604-872-1234
- Chat: www.CrisisCentreChat.ca
Health & Wellness
310Mental Health Support
310Mental Health Support (310-6789) is the toll-free access to emotional support, information, and resources specific to mental health in B.C.
Contact information
- Phone: 310-6789 (no need to dial area code)
HealthLink BC
HealthLink BC provides reliable non-emergency health information and advice to British Columbians. The service is available by telephone, the HealthLink BC website, a mobile app, and a collection of print resources. Through HealthLink BC’s programs and services, you can get the information you need to make health decisions for yourself and those you care for.
Contact information
- Phone: 8-1-1 toll-free in B.C. or for the deaf and hard of hearing, contact by using Video Relay Services* (VRS) or Teletypewriter (TTY) relay services**
*Video Relay Services (VRS) provides sign language interpretation. It is free for registered deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired Canadians who use sign language. VRS is available when making telephone calls using Internet and cell-phone technology. Click here to sign up for VRS and give them the number 604-215-5101 to call HealthLink BC.
**To access TTY, dial 7-1-1. A TTY relay service call allows a person with a hearing or speech disability to reach a relay operator who facilitates a call with 8-1-1.
Healthy Eating for Seniors Handbook
The Healthy Eating for Seniors handbook includes recipes, menu plans, and information on good nutrition. The handbook is available in English and French and has also been culturally adapted and translated into Chinese and Punjabi.
You can download the PDF version of the handbook (great for printing at home), read it online, or listen to the audio book version by clicking here.
Your Dental Health™
Your Dental Health™ is a public education program of the BC Dental Association (BCDA) providing general dental health information to British Columbians*.
You can also find a list of reduced cost clinics located across the province on Your Dental Health™, available to eligible low-income B.C. residents. Learn more by clicking here.
Contact information
- Phone: 604-736-7202, or toll-free at 1-888-396-9888
- Email: info@yourdentalhealth.ca
*Information presented on this website does not in any way replace the advice of your dentist, dental specialist, or other health professionals.
Resources for LGBTQ2+ Seniors & Their Families
LGBTQ2+-Inclusive Care
In support of BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) and EngAge BC’s Aging with Pride initiative, Route65.ca is working with seniors living, wellness and care operators to help support LGBTQ2+-inclusivity across the sector.
Route65.ca allows operators to self-identify as LGBTQ2+-inclusive* organizations with an indicator tag on Route65.ca. The LGBTQ2+-inclusive tag indicates that an organization considers itself to be LGBTQ2+-inclusive and commits to having organizational policies, procedures and practices in place that foster LGBTQ2+-inclusivity.
You can find a list of operators that self-identify as LGBTQ2+-inclusive on Route65.ca by clicking here.
*LGBTQ2+ is an acronym for “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Two-Spirit, Queer and Questioning”.
General Community Resources
Ability411 (Operated by CanAssist)
Ability411 is a web-based service that provides practical information about assistive technologies and equipment to BC seniors, their family members and their health providers. Ability411 enables seniors and the people who care for them to ask for help in identifying effective commercial technologies in cases where they are unable to find an appropriate solution on their own. The website also allows users to browse questions posed by other visitors, along with the answers they received.
Contact information*
- Email: Submit an email enquiry to Ability411 by clicking here
*Please note that Ability411 is an online service for residents of B.C. – they are unable to accept phone calls. If you do not have access to email, please call 8-1-1 (or for those with difficulty hearing, call 7-1-1) toll-free in B.C. to reach HealthLink BC. A health services navigator will answer your call and may act as an intermediary between you and Ability411.
Aging In Place, But Better Guide (Published by EngAge BC)
When we think about aging in place, we often think about remaining in the homes we have lived in for a long time, or maybe even raised our families in. However, the independent living model can be embraced to promote quality of life, while supporting seniors to stay well for longer.
Developed by EngAge BC with the guidance of leading experts in the field, the Aging In Place, But Better guide provides a comprehensive overview of the independent living landscape in B.C. It also examines the many health and quality of life benefits which can be attributed to a housing and hospitality model and addresses the important role which independent living can play to help seniors age in their place of choice, while tackling three of the most pressing challenges facing B.C. – demand on the health care system, the housing crisis and climate change.
You can download a PDF version of the guide or read it online by clicking here.
BC Elders’ Guide
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and the Ministry of Health have released the first edition of the BC Elders’ Guide. This unique health and lifestyle resource is based on the BC Seniors’ Guide and is specifically designed for Indigenous Elders.
You can download the PDF version of the guide (which is great for printing at home) or read it online by clicking here.
BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA)
The BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA) is a provincial program that provides financial help in the form of rebates to eligible low-income households to complete home adaptations for independent living. Eligible low- and moderate-income households can receive up to $17,500 in rebates to complete home adaptations. The program allows seniors and people with permanent disabilities or diminished ability to gain greater independence within their homes.
Contact information:
- Phone: 604-439-8550, or toll-free from anywhere in B.C. at 1-800-257-7756
BC Seniors’ Guide
The BC Seniors’ Guide is a book-style compilation of information and resources to help us all plan for and live a healthy lifestyle as we age. It includes information on provincial and federal programs, with sections on benefits, health, lifestyle, housing, transportation, finances, safety and security, and other services.
You can download the PDF version of the guide (which is great for printing at home), read it online, or order a hard copy by clicking here.
BC211
BC211 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community. The service provides information and referrals to a broad range of community, government, and social services that assist in areas such as: basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, support for seniors, and more.
Contact information
- Phone (or text): 2-1-1
- Email: Submit an email inquiry and receive a response within 24 hours by clicking here
Better at Home (Operated by United Way)
Better at Home is a program that helps seniors with simple non-medical, day-to-day tasks so that they can continue to live independently in their own homes and remain connected to their communities.
Better at Home services vary among communities. They are designed to complement existing services and are based on the unique needs of local seniors, such as light yard work, snow shoveling, grocery shopping, transportation, or just a friendly visit.
Older adults who receive Better at Home services may pay a fee based on their income. Some services may be free. These fees-for-service are fed back into the local program to serve more seniors.
Contact information
- Phone: Contact numbers differ by community, find local numbers by clicking here
Memorial Society of BC
The Memorial Society of BC provides independent information about reasonably priced or discounted funeral services, and end of life choices available to B.C. residents.
Contact information
- Phone: 604-733-7705, or toll-free at 1-888-816-5902
- Email: admin@memorialsocietybc.org
Seniors Abuse and Information Line (Operated by Seniors First BC)
The province-wide and confidential Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) is a safe place for older adults and those who care about them to talk to a trained intake worker about abuse or mistreatment, receive information, and obtain support about issues that impact the health and well-being of an older adult. SAIL intake workers are trained to provide a listening, non-judgmental, and supportive ear, and provide resources and referrals to their free internal programs and support.
Seniors First BC also offers pro bono legal services to eligible older adults residing in B.C. on a wide range of legal matters, through their Elder Law Clinic. Individuals can be connected to this service by calling the SAIL line.
Contact information
- Phone: 604-437-1940, or toll-free at 1-866-437-1940
SeniorsBC.ca
SeniorsBC.ca is a website for older adults, families and caregivers with information about planning and living a healthy and active life.
Learn more by clicking here.