FAQs

Searching for seniors living, wellness and care options can be a time-consuming and confusing process.

Route65.ca is a free, B.C.-specific directory that’s designed to assist the public in navigating independent living, assisted living, long-term care, and home health services. On Route65.ca, searchers can explore options and connect with service providers directly. Additionally, the platform offers educational tools and resources to support individuals navigating the system.

Route65.ca is brought to you by BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA), a non-profit organization and the leading voice for B.C.’s continuing care sector. BCCPA developed Route65.ca to address a visible gap in quality information about navigating B.C.’s care continuum and accessing seniors living, wellness and care options in the province.

Through Route65.ca & BCCPA aim to provide a jargon-free, easy-to-use tool for the public that helps simplify the process of accessing seniors living, wellness and care services in B.C.

In B.C., seniors can access publicly subsidized or private pay care options.

Seniors who can afford it will sometimes choose to access private pay options because it often allows for greater choice and flexibility and can be quicker to access.

For publicly subsidized care, a person’s eligibility is determined by the person’s local health authority, and how much a person will pay towards their care depends on the service and the senior’s income.

Independent living is usually accessed privately and based on local housing and hospitality market rates. For people seeking supportive housing, publicly subsidized options are available for low-income seniors by applying through BC Housing’s Seniors Supportive Housing Program. Unfortunately, the need through this program is much greater than the number of available subsidized housing units, and wait times can vary.

How much you will pay depends on factors such as the type of housing or care you are accessing, your income level, the region of the province, and what extras or amenities are important to you. Public subsidies are available for assisted living, long-term care, and home health services in B.C.

Independent Living

Independent Living is usually accessed privately and based on local housing and hospitality market rates. The approximate price range for independent living is $2,500–$7,000 a month, which varies by the size of unit (ranging from studio apartments to three-bedroom suites) and region of the province. Some services may cost extra.

Publicly subsidized housing options are available for low-income seniors by applying through BC Housing’s Seniors Supportive Housing Program, with tenants generally paying 50 per cent of their gross income as rent or a fixed amount in some cases. Wait times for this program can vary and it’s difficult to predict when a suitable unit will become available.

Assisted Living

For Assisted Living, an eligible senior will pay 70 per cent of their after-tax income toward publicly subsidized assisted living. In 2025, the minimum monthly rate is $1,219.40 for individuals and $1,857.30 for couples. The maximum monthly rate for publicly subsidized assisted living services is based on the market rent for housing and hospitality services for the geographic area where you live, as well as the actual cost of assisted living services you receive. Seniors receiving support under the Employment and Assistance Act or the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act pay a fixed monthly rate. Additional fees may apply for optional services such as telephone, cable, hydro, household and toiletry supplies, medications, personal care supplies, and insurance costs. For details on maximum rates, contact your local health authority.

Private pay assisted living typically ranges between approximately $2,500–$7,500 per month, depending on one’s geographic location as well as the specific services required by an individual.

Long-Term Care

For Long-Term Care, an eligible senior will pay 80 per cent of their after-tax income toward publicly subsidized long-term care. In 2025, the minimum monthly rate is $1,466.20 for individuals and $2078.34 for couples, with a maximum rate of $4,073.40 per month. Residents receiving support and/or shelter allowance under the Employment and Assistance Act or the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act will pay a fixed monthly rate for long-term care services, rather than an income-based rate.

Private pay long-term care ranges between approximately $7,000–$18,000+ per month, depending on the region. For example, private pay rates in 2025 generally range from $8,000–$18,000+ in Metro Vancouver, $9,000–$15,000+ in Greater Victoria, $8,000–$11,000 on Vancouver Island, and $7,000–$10,000 in the Interior region.

Home Health

For Home Health, publicly subsidized services are means-tested, which means a senior will be assessed based on their income (and spousal income, if applicable). In 2025, the maximum monthly charge for home support services is $300.

The following clients are exempt from paying a daily rate for home care services:

• Clients discharged from hospital and receiving short-term home care services
• Clients eligible for palliative supplies and equipment under the BC Palliative Care Benefits Program
• Clients receiving certain government income benefits

For private pay home health services, the average rate is approximately $40 per hour. However, costs can vary depending on the provider and the level of care or support required. Accessing private pay services offers benefits such as greater flexibility and a broader range of service options, including non-medical home support services.

In some cases, a senior may be eligible for publicly subsidized care, but may also have the resources to access private pay services. If this is the case for you, it is important that you explore your options.

Start by determining what your needs are, what you can afford, and what your co-pay amount would be should you access care through the health authority. Knowing this – along with speaking to operators in your community – will give you a sense of what the best option is for you.

Some searchers will find that private pay options provide more flexibility, but the best solution will vary for everyone depending on their individual needs and resources.

To access this type of support, you will first need to find out if you are eligible. Once eligibility is determined, you will need to contact your local Home and Community Care Office and arrange for an assessment.

Many seniors would like to stay independent for as long as they can.

Independent living is a good option for seniors who are confident in their ability to live alone safely, but who don’t want to worry about things like home maintenance, housekeeping, or cooking. Seniors who choose independent living enjoy amenities and activities available in their retirement community and can feel confident knowing that help is there if they need it. Independent living residents can often bring in home support or purchase additional support services should the need arise.

For seniors who are still safe to live at home, but who require some support or reminders, home health options are sometimes preferable. These services enable seniors to get the help they need while allowing them to live at home.

The type of support a senior living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia will need changes throughout the disease progression. Seniors with early-stage dementia may be comfortable and safe living independently for some time but will need more support as time goes on – including home support or assisted living. Most seniors living with dementia will require long-term care at some point during the progression of the disease.

Many care homes have specialized areas or units that cater to the specific needs of seniors living with dementia. When you visit a potential care home, consider asking about the amenities, resident programs, and staff training in place to support seniors with dementia.

If you are considering private home support, ask if the worker has special dementia training and has worked with people living with dementia before.

Deciding to move to a care home can be very challenging decision
and often involves the support of family or close friends. The decision to move
to long-term care is personal and many factors should be considered, including
the person’s preferences, the well-being of any caregivers involved, and the
individual’s evolving care needs.

A couple may want to stay as close together as possible but have different needs. Seniors can consider options such as home support, independent living (with support brought in), or campuses of care.

Campuses of care offer different levels of care (e.g., independent living, assisted living and long-term care) at the same location. This can be a good option for couples who need different levels of care, or for seniors who want to stay in one place as they age.

Brought to you by BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA), Route65.ca is your go-to resource for finding independent living, assisted living, long-term care and home health options in B.C.

BCCPA’s mission is to support B.C.’s seniors living, wellness and care providers in delivering high-quality experiences for seniors through research, education, advocacy, and collaboration. To be listed on Route65.ca, operators must be active members of BCCPA, or be operated by a provincial health authority.

All BCCPA members are required to adhere to an operator Code of Ethics.

Yes, Route65.ca is a free tool that connects seniors and
their family members with independent living, assisted living, long-term care,
and home health care options across B.C. The platform also offers educational
tools and resources to support those navigating seniors living, wellness and
care services in the province.

To be listed on Route65.ca, operators must be members of BC Care Providers Association or operated by a B.C. health authority. BCCPA members help sustain the platform through their annual membership dues.

All information available on the Route65.ca platform is specific to B.C. only.

Route65.ca is available to anyone looking for seniors living, wellness or care options in B.C. You do not need to be over 65 to use the website.

Many individuals may be searching for seniors living, wellness or care options in their community who are under 65. For instance, you may be searching on behalf of a family member, or simply planning ahead and interested to explore which retirement options are available in your area.

We encourage you to explore the information available on each operator’s listing page or reach out to them directly via the contact form option available on each listing. Operators will be happy to contact you to answer your questions or provide more information about their services.