September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day, we recognize the resilience, dignity, and achievements of survivors and intergenerational survivors of Residential Schools, Day schools, and Indian hospitals, and honour the children who never returned home. Our office will be closed on Monday, September 30th, 2024 to observe the statutory holiday […]

For the past 30 years, we have provided information, legal advocacy, and support for BC's seniors in need. For the next 30 years and beyond, with your help, we can continue providing the critical services for BC’s older adults and to ensure that they can live with dignity, respect, and the opportunity to thrive. As […]

Happy Labour Day! Our office will be closed on Monday, September 2nd, 2024 for the Labour Day statutory holiday and will resume service the following day, Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024. Callers to our Seniors Abuse & Information Line (1-866-437-1940) can leave a voice message and receive a call-back when we re-open.

Seniors First BC’s legal programs have released “Navigating Home Care and Senior Housing: An Advocacy Guide” on Clicklaw Wikibooks. This guide explains the types of personal care and health care that are available to older adults in British Columbia. Many of these services are subsidized by community services or the BC Ministry of Health to make […]

Happy BC Day! Our office will be closed on Monday, August 5th, 2024 for the BC Day Statutory Holiday and will resume service the following day, Tuesday, August 6th, 2024. Callers to our Seniors Abuse & Information Line (1-866-437-1940) can leave a voice message and receive a call-back when we re-open.

Our August Newsletter is out! https://ow.ly/7VwO50SQhps Read about updates from our organization, the new Long-term Care at Home Pilot Program, and a new report release from the Office of the BC Seniors Advocate. To subscribe, visit: https://ow.ly/hN7W50SQhpt

Our June 2024 Newsletter is out! https://mailchi.mp/68d8d3d2873d/seniors-first-bc-june-2024-newsletter-16525879 Read about the Wills Clinic with QMUNITY, June Events, a report release from the Office of the BC Seniors Advocate, the Dementia + Decision-Making Project, and an open role with the Council to Reduce Elder Abuse. To subscribe, visit: https://seniorsfirstbc.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4e276b95094b838c2351b3413&id=25ee3572af

Happy Canada Day! Our office will be closed on Monday, July 1st, 2024 for the Canada Day Statutory Holiday and will resume service the following day, Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024. Callers to our Seniors Abuse & Information Line (1-866-437-1940) can leave a voice message and receive a call-back when we re-open.

Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day! Happening annually on June 21st, on this day we recognize, celebrate, and honour the achievements, history, and rich cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada. At Seniors First BC, we are grateful to be working closely with First Nations communities in BC to increase access to […]

Happening this week! On June 27th from 2:30pm to 4pm, we will be delivering a virtual information session over Zoom about the Wills Clinic that we will be launching in partnership with QMUNITY's Seniors Program. Starting later in the summer of 2024, these clinics will be offered to 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and will provide a safe […]

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2024! Happening annually on June 15th, it recognizes the significance and impact of elder abuse as a global public health and human rights issue. It is also an opportunity for elder abuse networks and other organizations to work together and engage in dialogue with the public on how […]

Happy long weekend! Our programs will be closed on Monday, May 20th, 2024 for the Victoria Day Statutory Holiday. Our programs will re-open on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has released a new bulletin indicating that it has noticed an increase in reporting related to misleading home services and equipment. Read the full bulletin below or access the PDF file here. For more information, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Website. Home Services and Equipment Fraud 2024-04-25The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) […]

Catharine Schlenker, our Advance Planning Clinic Program Manager and a Staff Lawyer, will be presenting in two free webinars on Wills & Estates for Indigenous Peoples for the First Nations Health Authority through the UBC Learning Circle from 10am to 11:30am tomorrow, April 30, 2024 and on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Part 1 will be […]

Our April 2024 Newsletter is out! https://mailchi.mp/bf9b460478c3/seniors-first-bc-april-2024-newsletter Read about the updates to our SAIL hours, staffing changes, new Advance Planning Clinics in partnership with the shíshálh Nation, free tax clinics, Pain BC's support services, and updates from the Office of the BC Seniors Advocate. To subscribe, visit: https://seniorsfirstbc.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4e276b95094b838c2351b3413&id=25ee3572af

Starting April 7th, 2024, our Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) will be closed on weekends until further notice. SAIL will continue to operate from 8am to 8pm, Mondays to Fridays (except statutory holidays) and will return voicemail messages as soon as possible during those hours.

Happy long weekend! Our programs will be closed on Friday, March 29th and Monday, April 1st, 2024 for the Good Friday and Easter Monday Statutory Holidays. Our Seniors Abuse & Information Line will be open on Saturday, March 30th and Sunday, March 31st for its usual schedule. The rest of our programs will re-open on […]

Happy International Women's Day 2024! Marked annually on March 8th, IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world.

Happy Family Day! Our office will be closed on Monday, February 19th, 2024 for the Family Day Statutory Holiday and will resume service the following day, Tuesday, February 20th, 2024.

BC Health Minister, Adrian Dix, has appointed Dan Levitt, an adjunct professor of gerontology at Simon Fraser University and the head of a non-profit long-term care facility, as the new BC Seniors Advocate. The BC seniors' advocate acts in the interest of seniors and their caregivers by monitoring care and supports for seniors provided by […]

Our January 2024 newsletter is out! https://mailchi.mp/e7487596a100/seniors-first-bc-january-2024-newsletter-8935676 Read about updates to our legal programs, new career and volunteer opportunities, our new board members, upcoming learning events, a new book release about the invisible problem of elder abuse in the LGBTQ2SA+ community, and the Canada Dental Care Plan. To subscribe, visit: https://seniorsfirstbc.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4e276b95094b838c2351b3413&id=25ee3572af

Due to high demand for our legal presentations, we are seeking volunteer legal professionals to assist our Public Education and Outreach Program as Public Legal Education Volunteers. For the full details and how to apply, visit our volunteer page here.

Join our team! We are currently seeking a part-time Seniors Abuse & Information Line Intake Worker and a part-time Clinic Assistant for our Advance Planning Clinics in William Lake. For the full job descriptions, visit our careers page here.

In February, our Elder Law Clinics held at the Newton Seniors' Centre (13775 - 70 Ave) will be changing from the first Tuesday of each month to the third Tuesday. Clinics will continue to be in the mornings by appointment. During these free 30-minute clinics, Seniors First BC lawyers meet eligible seniors to assist with […]

Researchers at Simon Fraser University—Claire Robson, Gloria Gutman, Jen Marchbank, and Makaela Prentice—have released a new book titled Elder Abuse in the LGBTQ2SA+ Community - The Impact of Homophobia and Transphobia. This book raises awareness about the invisible problem of elder abuse in the LGBTQ2SA+ community. It features stories of 9 elder abuse survivors in […]

Starting in February, our Advance Planning Clinics will be available by appointment in Williams Lake. Held in partnership with the Cariboo Friendship Society, the monthly clinics will take place mornings every 1st Wednesday of each month by appointment at 99 3 Ave S in Williams Lake. Eligible, low-income older adults can receive free advance planning […]

We wish to extend a warm welcome to Kenneth Armstrong, K.C., Anthony Kupferschmidt, Abdul Sana, Curt Van Ardenne, and Sam Zeitoun to our Board of Directors, each of whom bring a wealth of knowledge and experiences to our organization!  Read the full biographies of our Board of Directors here.

The Government of Canada is accepting applications for the Canadian Dental Care Plan in phases starting with seniors. The care plan is intended to reduce financial barriers to accessing oral health for eligible Canadian residents who have an family net income of less than $90,000 per year and who do not have access to dental […]

Our Seniors Abuse & Information Line will be open for our regular schedule from December 23, 2023, to January 2nd, 2024, except for closures for the Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day statutory holidays on December 25, 2023, December 26, 2023, and January 1, 2024. The rest of our programs will be closed […]

Seniors First BC wishes you a happy holiday season! Read about our highlights from this year here: https://ow.ly/76WA50QkrQ9. With a continuously growing demand for support services for BC seniors, donations to our organization are needed more than ever. This holiday season, visit our Canada Helps page to donate securely online to positively impact the lives […]

We're hiring! We are seeking a part-time Advance Planning Clinic Assistant in Williams Lake. To read the full job description, visit our careers page here.

Seniors First BC recognizes and remembers Canada’s Veterans for their service and sacrifice for our country and freedom. Our programs will be closed today to observe the Remembrance Day 2023 statutory holiday. Our Seniors Abuse & Information Line will resume service the following day, Sunday, November 12, 2023. The rest of our programs will return […]

We're hiring! We are seeking a part-time Advance Planning Clinic Assistant in Nanaimo. To read the full job description, visit our careers page here.

Today is International Pronouns Day! Happening every third Wednesday of October, it's a day that seeks to make respecting, sharing, and education about personal pronouns commonplace. Learn more about this day here. #PronounsDay

Our programs will be closed for the Thanksgiving Day statutory holiday on Monday, October 9th, 2023. We will re-open on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023. Callers to our Seniors Abuse & Information Line (604-437-1940 or Toll-Free at 1-866-437-1940) may leave a voice message and receive a call-back when we re-open.

Today is National Seniors Day today! On this day, we recognize and celebrate the contributions that older adults in our lives have made and continue to make to our families, communities, and society. Our Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) will be open today, like every Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm at 1-866-437-1940 […]

Taking place each year on September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day for all Canadians to honour the resilience, dignity, and achievements of survivors and intergenerational survivors of Residential Schools, Day schools, and Indian hospitals. We learn everyday how colonization generally continues to impact Indigenous communities. At Seniors First BC, […]

Our Seniors Abuse & Information Line will be closed for an organization-wide training event on Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 and return to service the following day. Callers may leave a voice message and receive a call-back when we re-open.

Join us for a free BCCRN Provincial Webinar titled "Protect What's Yours! Prevent Financial Abuse, Fraud, and Scams" taking place on September 19th, 2023 from 10:30am to 12pm PST! Hosted by the BC Association of Community Response Networks (BCCRNs), learn how seniors can protect their belongings and assets from crime! Sara Pon, Seniors First BC […]

Happy BC Day! Our programs will be closed on Monday, August 7th, 2023, for the BC Day statutory holiday. We will re-open on Tuesday, August 8th, 2023.

Our July 2023 newsletter is out! https://mailchi.mp/a61b3e001944/seniors-first-bc-july-2023-newsletter-8923328 Read about how to beat the heat, a new digital booking service to speak to a local pharmacist, our new Seniors Abuse & Information Line Team Lead, our upcoming workshops, and a new report from the Office of the BC Seniors Advocate. To subscribe, visit: https://ow.ly/HRlk50OVj2L

As summer temperatures are expected to rise above 30°C to the mid to high 30s in some parts of British Columbia, the heat poses an increased risk of heat-related illness, especially for those aged 65+, infants and children, and those who do physical activity or work outdoors. Health Link BC published a health feature on how […]

Our programs will be closed on Saturday, July 1st, 2023, for the Canada Day statutory holiday. Our Seniors Abuse & Information Line will return to service on Sunday, July 2nd, 2023 for its regular schedule, and the rest of our programs will re-open on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.

Watch a livestream of Isobel Mackenzie, the BC Seniors Advocate, as she releases the findings of a new comprehensive review of assisted living services in B.C today, June 28th at 2:30pm. Watch here: Live Stream Report Release - It's Time to Act: A Review of Assisted Living in B.C. - YouTube

Our June 2023 newsletter is out! https://mailchi.mp/8d3ec90ba7ba/seniors-first-bc-june-2023-newsletter-8906843 Read about updates to our Advance Planning Clinics, new staffing changes, a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day recap, and a national survey on social isolation and loneliness. To subscribe, visit: http://eepurl.com/g1nn5v

Taking place every year on June 15th, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) recognizes elder abuse as a significant public health and human rights issue for older adults across the globe. At Seniors First BC, we are doing our part in supporting and assisting older adults across the province who are experiencing or at risk […]

Our programs will be closed will be closed on Monday, May 22nd, 2023, for the Victoria Day statutory holiday and will re-open the next day on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023.

Our April 2023 newsletter is out! https://mailchi.mp/d04bbddc3c51/seniors-first-bc-april-2023-newsletter-8902623 Read about our program updates, changes to our legal clinics, the April BCCRN Provincial Learning event, and volunteer opportunities with the Office of the BC Seniors Advocate. To subscribe, visit: http://eepurl.com/g1nn5v

Our Legal Programs, Victim Services, and Public Education & Outreach Program will be closed for the Good Friday and Easter Monday long weekend from April 7th to April 10th and re-open on April 11th, 2023. Our Seniors Abuse & Information Line will be closed on Good Friday (April 7th) and on Easter Monday, (April 10th). […]

March is Fraud Prevention Month! At Seniors First BC, we regularly hear from our clients about being targeted and financially impacted by fraud. We aim to do our part in fraud prevention by providing assistance, encouraging reporting, and raising awareness. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) has created a new guide called "Tricks of the Trade: […]

Our February 2023 Newsletter is out! Read about our SAIL language interpretation hours updates, staff and volunteer updates, the March BCCRN Provincial Learning Event, and upcoming UBC Older Adult Health research projects! https://mailchi.mp/2a5f20278599/seniors-first-bc-feb-2023-newsletter-8746267 Subscribe here.

Happy BC Family Day! We will be closed today, Monday, February 20th, 2023 and re-open tomorrow. Happening every third Monday of February, this provincial statutory holiday gives time for British Columbians to spend with their loved ones. Learn more about this holiday and some family activities across the province here.

As of December 12, 2022, Canadians can now apply for the new one-time top-up of the Canada Housing Benefit. Intended to support low-income renters with the cost of renting, eligible individuals may receive a tax-free, one-time payment of $500. Applicants do not need to receive other housing benefits such as the Canada Housing Benefit. Applications […]

We are looking to hire one full-time Paralegal and one full-time Legal Advocate located in the Lower Mainland to join our team. The Paralegal will assist lawyers of our Elder Law Clinic and our upcoming Advance Planning Program by preparing Wills, Representation Agreements, Powers of Attorney as well as court documents (based on the paralegal’s […]

As we approach the start of 2023, Seniors First BC would like to wish you a happy holiday season! From December 24, 2022, to January 2, 2023, our Seniors Abuse and Information Line will remain open except on statutory holidays on December 25-27 and January 1-2. Our Legal Programs, Victim Services, and Public Education and […]

Our December 2022 newsletter is out! This edition covers our holiday schedule, new legal clinics at the VCH Deaf Well-Being Program, an upcoming workshop in partnership with the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC and Intercultural Strategies, a report released by the Office of the Seniors Advocate, and recent federal benefits updates: http://ow.ly/ZaPU50M8zJR Subscribe here: http://ow.ly/hUyZ50M8zJQ

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities! At Seniors First BC, we support the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. Stay tuned to our website and social media for information on new features to enhance accessibility of our services across BC in 2023!

Our November 2022 Newsletter is out! Read about our new Nanaimo Advance Planning Clinics, upcoming workshops and events, a report release from Department of Justice Canada, and the Office of the Seniors Advocate's 2021/2022 Long-Term Care Directory: http://ow.ly/8kLA50Lz7to

Seniors First BC remembers Canada’s Veterans and their service and sacrifice for our country and for freedom. Our office will be closed today in honour of Remembrance Day.

Our October 2022 Newsletter is out! Read about the release of our Annual report, new additions to our staff and board of directors, our community legal clinics in Burnaby, recent updates from the Office of the Seniors Advocate, and a workshop hosted by the BC Community Response Networks.

Our Annual Report for 2021-2022 is out! The report provides updates and statistics about our programs during this period. To read the report, visit here.

Our October 2022 Newsletter is out! Read about the release of our Annual report, new additions to our staff and board of directors, our community legal clinics in Burnaby, recent updates from the Office of the Seniors Advocate, and a workshop hosted by the BC Community Response Networks.