BC Health Coalition - HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE

Take Action on Home and Community Care!

Click here to write Premier Campbell and urge him to make changes to improve the lives of seniors and people with disabilities

Click here to tell the BC government to support family and resident councils! Send a letter to the provincial government letting it know that you are aware of the commitments it has made and that you expect timely and full implementation of the Ombudspersons’ recommendations.

Click here to send a message about the state of seniors’ care in B.C to the premier, health minister, opposition leader, and your MLA at www.StandUPforSeniorsCare.ca - the Hospital Emplyee's Union's new seniors' campaign site

Click here to become a Friend of Medicare and support the work of the BC Health Coalition

Home and Community Care Resources

BCHC Home and Community Care Campaign Paper now available!

Piecing Together the Continuum of Care: Concerns & Solutions from BC’s Health Care Advocates is a consensus document developed by the BCHC which summarizes concerns, outlines positve solutions and presents key demands from health care advocates across the province.

Click here to dowload (PDF)

Also available in:

Simplified Chinese (PDF)

Click here to view our updated Home and Community Care reports and studies page

Click here to view recent BC Health Coalition Media Releases

Click here to view recent Health Care News Stories

A young family, new to Canada and a complicated pregnancy in 1971. To our amazement, I was kept in hospital for 3 weeks at $1 a day!!! and my baby was saved. Medicare, Canada, thank you.
Aphrodite

Canadian Medicare means that my life is worth as much, no more, no less than any other human being, rich or poor. Without it I would have had a very short lived life.
Melanie

Because it means I don't have to worry about "what if". I know that should I need care, it's there for me and my family.
Alice

Because I want to live in a society that cares for all its citizens!
Elspeth

My family has the right to live long healthy lives and not be worried if they can afford to.
Roxanne

I never have to worry about going to my Doctor or a Hospital in Canada. I only have to make sure I get insurance if I have to go the USA
Bob

For six years my husband's medical costs were covered by Medicare. I can never be thankful enough. I will keep fighting for Medicare.
Eileen

Medicare reminds me every day that it is wrong to profit from people who are vulnerable.
Arsalan

Stress, as we all know , is the cause of much illness. Medicare means I have no stress about my health care and the ensuing bills.
Linda

Medicare provides health care equality no matter the financial status everyone qualifies for the care needed.
Bob

It breaks my heart hearing from my friends, young and old, about long suffering, financial hardship and unnecessary death from lack of necessary, rightful health care.
Bjorn

A young family, new to Canada and a complicated pregnancy in 1971. To our amazement, I was kept in hospital for 3 weeks at $1 a day!!! and my baby was saved. Medicare, Canada, thank you.
Aphrodite

Canadian Medicare means that my life is worth as much, no more, no less than any other human being, rich or poor. Without it I would have had a very short lived life.
Melanie

Because it means I don't have to worry about "what if". I know that should I need care, it's there for me and my family.
Alice

Because I want to live in a society that cares for all its citizens!
Elspeth

My family has the right to live long healthy lives and not be worried if they can afford to.
Roxanne

I never have to worry about going to my Doctor or a Hospital in Canada. I only have to make sure I get insurance if I have to go the USA
Bob

For six years my husband's medical costs were covered by Medicare. I can never be thankful enough. I will keep fighting for Medicare.
Eileen

Medicare reminds me every day that it is wrong to profit from people who are vulnerable.
Arsalan

Stress, as we all know , is the cause of much illness. Medicare means I have no stress about my health care and the ensuing bills.
Linda

Medicare provides health care equality no matter the financial status everyone qualifies for the care needed.
Bob

It breaks my heart hearing from my friends, young and old, about long suffering, financial hardship and unnecessary death from lack of necessary, rightful health care.
Bjorn

A young family, new to Canada and a complicated pregnancy in 1971. To our amazement, I was kept in hospital for 3 weeks at $1 a day!!! and my baby was saved. Medicare, Canada, thank you.
Aphrodite

Canadian Medicare means that my life is worth as much, no more, no less than any other human being, rich or poor. Without it I would have had a very short lived life.
Melanie

Because it means I don't have to worry about "what if". I know that should I need care, it's there for me and my family.
Alice

Because I want to live in a society that cares for all its citizens!
Elspeth

My family has the right to live long healthy lives and not be worried if they can afford to.
Roxanne

I never have to worry about going to my Doctor or a Hospital in Canada. I only have to make sure I get insurance if I have to go the USA
Bob

For six years my husband's medical costs were covered by Medicare. I can never be thankful enough. I will keep fighting for Medicare.
Eileen

Medicare reminds me every day that it is wrong to profit from people who are vulnerable.
Arsalan

Stress, as we all know , is the cause of much illness. Medicare means I have no stress about my health care and the ensuing bills.
Linda

Medicare provides health care equality no matter the financial status everyone qualifies for the care needed.
Bob

It breaks my heart hearing from my friends, young and old, about long suffering, financial hardship and unnecessary death from lack of necessary, rightful health care.
Bjorn

A young family, new to Canada and a complicated pregnancy in 1971. To our amazement, I was kept in hospital for 3 weeks at $1 a day!!! and my baby was saved. Medicare, Canada, thank you.
Aphrodite

Canadian Medicare means that my life is worth as much, no more, no less than any other human being, rich or poor. Without it I would have had a very short lived life.
Melanie

Because it means I don't have to worry about "what if". I know that should I need care, it's there for me and my family.
Alice

Because I want to live in a society that cares for all its citizens!
Elspeth

My family has the right to live long healthy lives and not be worried if they can afford to.
Roxanne

I never have to worry about going to my Doctor or a Hospital in Canada. I only have to make sure I get insurance if I have to go the USA
Bob

For six years my husband's medical costs were covered by Medicare. I can never be thankful enough. I will keep fighting for Medicare.
Eileen

Medicare reminds me every day that it is wrong to profit from people who are vulnerable.
Arsalan

Stress, as we all know , is the cause of much illness. Medicare means I have no stress about my health care and the ensuing bills.
Linda

Medicare provides health care equality no matter the financial status everyone qualifies for the care needed.
Bob

It breaks my heart hearing from my friends, young and old, about long suffering, financial hardship and unnecessary death from lack of necessary, rightful health care.
Bjorn

A young family, new to Canada and a complicated pregnancy in 1971. To our amazement, I was kept in hospital for 3 weeks at $1 a day!!! and my baby was saved. Medicare, Canada, thank you.
Aphrodite

Canadian Medicare means that my life is worth as much, no more, no less than any other human being, rich or poor. Without it I would have had a very short lived life.
Melanie

Because it means I don't have to worry about "what if". I know that should I need care, it's there for me and my family.
Alice

Because I want to live in a society that cares for all its citizens!
Elspeth

My family has the right to live long healthy lives and not be worried if they can afford to.
Roxanne

I never have to worry about going to my Doctor or a Hospital in Canada. I only have to make sure I get insurance if I have to go the USA
Bob

For six years my husband's medical costs were covered by Medicare. I can never be thankful enough. I will keep fighting for Medicare.
Eileen

Medicare reminds me every day that it is wrong to profit from people who are vulnerable.
Arsalan

Stress, as we all know , is the cause of much illness. Medicare means I have no stress about my health care and the ensuing bills.
Linda

Medicare provides health care equality no matter the financial status everyone qualifies for the care needed.
Bob

It breaks my heart hearing from my friends, young and old, about long suffering, financial hardship and unnecessary death from lack of necessary, rightful health care.
Bjorn

A young family, new to Canada and a complicated pregnancy in 1971. To our amazement, I was kept in hospital for 3 weeks at $1 a day!!! and my baby was saved. Medicare, Canada, thank you.
Aphrodite

Canadian Medicare means that my life is worth as much, no more, no less than any other human being, rich or poor. Without it I would have had a very short lived life.
Melanie

Because it means I don't have to worry about "what if". I know that should I need care, it's there for me and my family.
Alice

Because I want to live in a society that cares for all its citizens!
Elspeth

My family has the right to live long healthy lives and not be worried if they can afford to.
Roxanne

I never have to worry about going to my Doctor or a Hospital in Canada. I only have to make sure I get insurance if I have to go the USA
Bob

For six years my husband's medical costs were covered by Medicare. I can never be thankful enough. I will keep fighting for Medicare.
Eileen

Medicare reminds me every day that it is wrong to profit from people who are vulnerable.
Arsalan

Stress, as we all know , is the cause of much illness. Medicare means I have no stress about my health care and the ensuing bills.
Linda

Medicare provides health care equality no matter the financial status everyone qualifies for the care needed.
Bob

It breaks my heart hearing from my friends, young and old, about long suffering, financial hardship and unnecessary death from lack of necessary, rightful health care.
Bjorn

A young family, new to Canada and a complicated pregnancy in 1971. To our amazement, I was kept in hospital for 3 weeks at $1 a day!!! and my baby was saved. Medicare, Canada, thank you.
Aphrodite

Canadian Medicare means that my life is worth as much, no more, no less than any other human being, rich or poor. Without it I would have had a very short lived life.
Melanie

Because it means I don't have to worry about "what if". I know that should I need care, it's there for me and my family.
Alice

Because I want to live in a society that cares for all its citizens!
Elspeth

My family has the right to live long healthy lives and not be worried if they can afford to.
Roxanne

I never have to worry about going to my Doctor or a Hospital in Canada. I only have to make sure I get insurance if I have to go the USA
Bob

For six years my husband's medical costs were covered by Medicare. I can never be thankful enough. I will keep fighting for Medicare.
Eileen

Medicare reminds me every day that it is wrong to profit from people who are vulnerable.
Arsalan

Stress, as we all know , is the cause of much illness. Medicare means I have no stress about my health care and the ensuing bills.
Linda

Medicare provides health care equality no matter the financial status everyone qualifies for the care needed.
Bob

It breaks my heart hearing from my friends, young and old, about long suffering, financial hardship and unnecessary death from lack of necessary, rightful health care.
Bjorn

A young family, new to Canada and a complicated pregnancy in 1971. To our amazement, I was kept in hospital for 3 weeks at $1 a day!!! and my baby was saved. Medicare, Canada, thank you.
Aphrodite

Canadian Medicare means that my life is worth as much, no more, no less than any other human being, rich or poor. Without it I would have had a very short lived life.
Melanie

Because it means I don't have to worry about "what if". I know that should I need care, it's there for me and my family.
Alice

Because I want to live in a society that cares for all its citizens!
Elspeth

My family has the right to live long healthy lives and not be worried if they can afford to.
Roxanne

I never have to worry about going to my Doctor or a Hospital in Canada. I only have to make sure I get insurance if I have to go the USA
Bob

For six years my husband's medical costs were covered by Medicare. I can never be thankful enough. I will keep fighting for Medicare.
Eileen

Medicare reminds me every day that it is wrong to profit from people who are vulnerable.
Arsalan

Stress, as we all know , is the cause of much illness. Medicare means I have no stress about my health care and the ensuing bills.
Linda

Medicare provides health care equality no matter the financial status everyone qualifies for the care needed.
Bob

It breaks my heart hearing from my friends, young and old, about long suffering, financial hardship and unnecessary death from lack of necessary, rightful health care.
Bjorn

A young family, new to Canada and a complicated pregnancy in 1971. To our amazement, I was kept in hospital for 3 weeks at $1 a day!!! and my baby was saved. Medicare, Canada, thank you.
Aphrodite

Canadian Medicare means that my life is worth as much, no more, no less than any other human being, rich or poor. Without it I would have had a very short lived life.
Melanie

Because it means I don't have to worry about "what if". I know that should I need care, it's there for me and my family.
Alice

Because I want to live in a society that cares for all its citizens!
Elspeth

My family has the right to live long healthy lives and not be worried if they can afford to.
Roxanne

I never have to worry about going to my Doctor or a Hospital in Canada. I only have to make sure I get insurance if I have to go the USA
Bob

For six years my husband's medical costs were covered by Medicare. I can never be thankful enough. I will keep fighting for Medicare.
Eileen

Medicare reminds me every day that it is wrong to profit from people who are vulnerable.
Arsalan

Stress, as we all know , is the cause of much illness. Medicare means I have no stress about my health care and the ensuing bills.
Linda

Medicare provides health care equality no matter the financial status everyone qualifies for the care needed.
Bob

It breaks my heart hearing from my friends, young and old, about long suffering, financial hardship and unnecessary death from lack of necessary, rightful health care.
Bjorn

A young family, new to Canada and a complicated pregnancy in 1971. To our amazement, I was kept in hospital for 3 weeks at $1 a day!!! and my baby was saved. Medicare, Canada, thank you.
Aphrodite

Canadian Medicare means that my life is worth as much, no more, no less than any other human being, rich or poor. Without it I would have had a very short lived life.
Melanie

Because it means I don't have to worry about "what if". I know that should I need care, it's there for me and my family.
Alice

Because I want to live in a society that cares for all its citizens!
Elspeth

My family has the right to live long healthy lives and not be worried if they can afford to.
Roxanne

I never have to worry about going to my Doctor or a Hospital in Canada. I only have to make sure I get insurance if I have to go the USA
Bob

For six years my husband's medical costs were covered by Medicare. I can never be thankful enough. I will keep fighting for Medicare.
Eileen

Medicare reminds me every day that it is wrong to profit from people who are vulnerable.
Arsalan

Stress, as we all know , is the cause of much illness. Medicare means I have no stress about my health care and the ensuing bills.
Linda

Medicare provides health care equality no matter the financial status everyone qualifies for the care needed.
Bob

It breaks my heart hearing from my friends, young and old, about long suffering, financial hardship and unnecessary death from lack of necessary, rightful health care.
Bjorn

A young family, new to Canada and a complicated pregnancy in 1971. To our amazement, I was kept in hospital for 3 weeks at $1 a day!!! and my baby was saved. Medicare, Canada, thank you.
Aphrodite

Canadian Medicare means that my life is worth as much, no more, no less than any other human being, rich or poor. Without it I would have had a very short lived life.
Melanie

Because it means I don't have to worry about "what if". I know that should I need care, it's there for me and my family.
Alice

Because I want to live in a society that cares for all its citizens!
Elspeth

My family has the right to live long healthy lives and not be worried if they can afford to.
Roxanne

I never have to worry about going to my Doctor or a Hospital in Canada. I only have to make sure I get insurance if I have to go the USA
Bob

For six years my husband's medical costs were covered by Medicare. I can never be thankful enough. I will keep fighting for Medicare.
Eileen

Medicare reminds me every day that it is wrong to profit from people who are vulnerable.
Arsalan

Stress, as we all know , is the cause of much illness. Medicare means I have no stress about my health care and the ensuing bills.
Linda

Medicare provides health care equality no matter the financial status everyone qualifies for the care needed.
Bob

It breaks my heart hearing from my friends, young and old, about long suffering, financial hardship and unnecessary death from lack of necessary, rightful health care.
Bjorn

: Campbell River/Courtenay/Comox | Citizens for Quality Health Care | Contact: Rich Hagensen | Email: surfdust AT telus.net
: Castlegar & Area | Castlegar & District Health Watch | Contact: Sally Williams | Email: sally_williams AT telus.net
: Fort St. John | Save Our Northern Seniors | Contact: Jean Leahy | Email: jleahy AT shaw.ca
: Nelson | Nelson Area Society for Health | Contact: Joan Reichardt | Email: jreichardt AT netidea.com
: Kamloops & Area | Kamloops Citizens Concerned About Public Health Care | Contact: Rick Turner | Email: riturner AT shaw.ca | Phone: 250-579-8541
: Kelowna & Area | Okanagan Health Coalition | Contact: Joyce Procure | Email: jprocure AT shaw.ca
: Terrace | Northwest Action Coalition | Contact: Dawna Ottenbreit | (250) 635.4704 | Email: DawnaMarie AT Telus.net
: Victoria & Area | South Island Health Coalition | Contact: Dale Perkins | Email: dperkins AT islandnet.com | Phone: 250 592-5487
: Nanaimo & Area | Mid-Island Health Coalition | Contact: Mitzi Arthur | Email: arthurmep AT hotmail.com
: Cranbrook Concerned Citizens | Contact: Gary Lancaster | Email: lancastergd AT shaw.ca
: Elk Valley & South Country Health Care Coalition | Contact: Barbara Kosiec | Email: pburke AT oldnurse.com | Phone: 250-423-6091 | Website: http://www.evsos.com/

Home

Continuing Care

HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE

Home and Community Care: saves money. saves lives.

Join the BC Health Coalition’s campaigns to help fight for stronger care for seniors and people with disabilities.

Home and Community care refers to a range of programs whose objective is to maintain, restore, or improve the health and functioning of seniors and people with disabilities. Current programs include home-based services (such as home support, rehabilitation and home nursing), community-based services (adult day care and respite care), assisted living, and long-term residential care.

The BCHC has developed two campaigns to address the shortcomings that the health care system is facing on the continuum of care.

Our broader Home and Community Care Campaign is raising the alarm on the aggressive cutbacks to seniors' and people with disabilities' care and the privatization of seniors' and people with disabilities' services.

Our Home Support Campaign urges our government to restore home support services and to protect the right of seniors to live healthily, independently, and with dignity in their own homes.

The provincial government has failed to act to improve necessary services such as home support and long term care. The government also continues its drive to privatize despite evidence that not-for-profit facilities offer better staffing levels and quality of care, despite countless studies and consultation - most recently the 2007 Conversation on Health, and the 2006 Premier's Council on Aging and Seniors' Issues - people urged government to make the necessary changes to allow seniors to live with dignity and respect.