Download - The First Six Months
The First Six MonthsApril - September 2014
1
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 2
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:
1. MONITOR: Provision of seniors’ services2. ANALYZE: Issues that the Advocate
believes are important to the welfare of seniors
3. ADVOCATE: In the interests of seniors4. INFORM & REPORT: To the public &
individuals4
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
5
The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013
Things The Advocate May Do:1. Identify & Analyze Systemic Challenges2. Collaboration to improve service effectiveness
and efficiency3. Promote awareness of systemic challenges and
resources available to seniors4. Make recommendations to Government & to
service providers5. Refer individual complaints appropriately
6
The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013
Legislated Duty:1. Advise in an independent manner: The
Minister, public officials and service providers
2. Report to the Public: In any way deemed appropriate
3. Report Annually to the Minister
7
The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013
Minister:1. Must make public all reports by the
Advocate as soon as reasonably practical
2. May ask the Seniors Advocate to undertake actions
8
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
9
Office StaffBev Biffard – Executive Coordinator
Margaret Case Manager Communications
Bruce RonayneExecutive Director
Systemic Enquiry
Mark BlandfordDeputy Advocate
Susan KarimMasters Coop Student
10
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
11
Next Steps
1. Begin monitoring in 20152. Establish Council of Advisors3. Draft schedule of reports4. Ongoing community engagement “A
Conversation with the Seniors Advocate”
12