Ministry of Health

Office of the Assisted Living Registrar

Finding Housing

For the up-to-date, authoritative list of registered assisted living residences in BC, consult the OALR’s Registered Assisted Living Residence Locator page.

The following websites also provide searchable housing directories:

Seniors Services Society — the Seniors Housing Information Program (SHIP) provides a comprehensive searchable online directory of all kinds of seniors’ housing, including assisted living residences. The website also provides an extensive list of housing-related resources, mainly for Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
The Care Guide — a comprehensive list of resources for seniors and a searchable housing-provider database for seniors’ housing, including assisted living.

Resources for Residents & Their Families

Alzheimer Society of BC
The Alzheimer Society of BC is a non-profit organization that provides support services and education programs to British Columbians affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

British Columbia Government Directory
This searchable directory provides telephone and email addresses for BC government programs and employees.

BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support
The BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support (BC CEAS) operates the Elder Law Clinic. The clinic provides legal services to adults over age 55 that would not otherwise be able to access justice due to low income, mobility difficulties or other issues. For more information, phone the seniors’ information and help line toll-free (1 866 437-1940).

BC Seniors’ Guide
The BC Seniors’ Guide provides information on programs and benefits available to seniors in British Columbia.

Health and Seniors Information Line
This toll-free information line is a one stop location for information on both health and non-health related federal and provincial government programs and services for British Columbia seniors. It also provides general public with information about health services and the health care system.

SeniorsBC.ca
SeniorsBC.ca is a new website that provides information about government programs and services for older adults. Included on the website are sections on health care, finances, benefits, housing, transportation and more.

Canadian Centre for Elder Law Studies
CCELS is a non-profit organization that provides education, research, lectures and workshops on legal issues of particular significance for older adults.

Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating
Health Canada’s Food Guide provides information about what types of foods are best and the importance of physical activity. The information aims to help Canadians meet their nutritional needs and to reduce the risk of obesity and chronic disease.

Children’s, Women’s and Seniors’ Health
This branch of the BC Ministry of Health promotes health and well-being — and prevention of illness, disease and disability — in children, women and adults aged 65 and older.

Community Care Facilities Licensing
This branch of the BC Ministry of Health develops and implements legislation, policy and guidelines that protect the health and safety of people cared for in licensed community care facilities.

Email A HealthLink BC Dietitian
British Columbians can send their nutrition questions to HealthLink B.C.'s Dietitian Services, and get personalized answers from registered dietitians. A dietitian will reply within three business days.

Find a Physician
This on-line physician directory provided by the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons is searchable by physician name, specialty and location, and for physicians accepting new patients.

Guide to Your Care ^{(PDF 1.7M)}
This guide explains the services of the home and community care branch of the BC Ministry of Health. The branch provides health care, support services and case management services for eligible residents who have acute, chronic, palliative or rehabilitative health care needs.

HealthLinkBC
HealthLink BC provides BC residents with 24/7 access to non-emergency health information and advice via telephone, online and in print.

The website, at www.HealthLinkBC.ca, provides medically-approved information on more than 4,000 health topics, symptoms, and over-the-counter and prescription drugs and offers tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It also offers an integrated search and mapping function to more than 4,500 health services to help British Columbians find health services close to their home communities.

Residents of British Columbia can also call 8-1-1 from anywhere in the province to speak to a nurse, dietitian or pharmacist or to find a health resource in their area. Translation services in 130 languages are available upon request.

Healthy Eating for Seniors Guide ^{(PDF 366K)}
The Healthy Eating for Seniors Guide is a BC Ministry of Health handbook on nutrition for seniors. It includes information about food and supplements, tips on eating, and many other topics on healthy eating of interest to seniors.

HereToHelp
HereToHelp provides reliable information on mental health and substance use problems, through a partnership of the Provincial Health Services Authority, the Ministry for Children and Family Development, and leading provincial mental health and addictions agencies.

Home and Community Care
The home and community care branch of the Ministry of Health develops legislation, regulations, policy and performance measures, and conducts high-level service planning for health care and support services for British Columbians with acute, chronic, palliative or rehabilitative health care needs provided in community-based settings throughout the province.

Independent Living BC (ILBC)
The ILBC program is administered by BC Housing and serves seniors and people with disabilities who require some support but do not need 24-hour institutional care. Eligible individuals then pay 70 percent of their after-tax income to live in assisted living homes offered through ILBC. The program’s website includes information for seniors and housing operators.

Lifeline
Lifeline provides an in-home emergency response system and is used by some health authorities for assisted living residents.

Mental Health and Substance Use
The mental health and substance use branch of the B.C. Ministry of Health provides leadership, planning and best practices for mental health and substance use services. The branch website offers resources for the public and for health care professionals.

Parkinson Society British Columbia
Parkinson Society British Columbia helps people with Parkinson's and the people who care about them by providing support services including information and resources, education and consultation.

Physical Activity in Assisted Living Newsletter
Cardea Health Consulting’s newsletter supporting physical activity for older adults in assisted living residences.

Public Guardian and Trustee of BC
The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) provides information about health care decision-making and financial and personal care management services on behalf of someone who is incapable. The PGT also manages the legal, financial and personal care interests of adults who need assistance in decision-making.

Residential Tenancy Branch
The residential tenancy branch website provides information about rights and responsibilities under BC's Residential Tenancy Act and Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act, and dispute resolution services.

Senior Living
This monthly magazine for seniors offers a free housing guide: “Senior Lifestyles: A Housing Guide for Seniors”.

Seniors Gateway to Legal Information and Resources
The Seniors Gateway contains links to many useful websites for seniors, and a wide variety of information about resources available on the Internet.

Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER)
SAFER is a provincial housing subsidy available to seniors who are eligible and who pay more than 30 per cent of their income on rent.

Special Information Supplement to the Vancouver Sun on BC Seniors' Housing and Care Needs
This supplement contains articles and resources about seniors’ housing in British Columbia, including an interview with the Assisted Living Registrar.

Resources for Operators & Developers

Assisted Living and Residential Care Fire and Life Safety^{(PDF 1.6M)}
The purpose of this information is to clarify the fire and life safety provisions established for assisted living residences and residential care facilities, particularly small group homes.

BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry
The Registry is a database of credentialed, or “registered”, care aides and community health workers, created to protect vulnerable clients, to establish and improve standards of care, and to promote professional development for Care Aides and Community Health Workers.

BC Care Providers’ Association
The BCCPA is a non-profit society that represents long-term and home care operators. Members include long-term care facilities, licensed private hospitals, congregate living and private care centres, community health care agencies, mental health facilities, homes for the mentally disabled and commercial suppliers.

BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit — The BCIRPU website provides Falls Prevention materials, tips and tools.

BC Non-Profit Housing Association
The BCNPHA provides leadership and support to members to maintain a high standard of affordable housing throughout British Columbia. BCNPHA members are mainly non-profit housing operators, and include some assisted living operators.

BC Seniors Living Association
The BCSLA (formerly the BC Retirement Communities Association, or BCRCA) represents retirement communities, including assisted living operators.

Office of the Fire Commissioner
The Office of the Fire Commissioner is the senior provincial fire authority for fire safety and prevention. The Office’s services include fire inspection, administration and enforcement of fire safety legislation, fire investigation, response to major fire emergencies and public fire safety education.

Office of Housing and Construction Standards
The Office of Housing and Construction Standards is responsible for housing policy, building and safety policy, and the Residential Tenancy Branch.

Parkinson's Disease In-service Video
This online in-service presentation covers essential information about Parkinson’s disease.

Health Authorities

BC’s health care services are managed and delivered by five health authorities that govern, plan and coordinate services regionally.

Fraser Health
Fraser Health includes Burnaby to Hope inclusive. Its website provides information about services offered through the health authority, including Fraser Health Home and Community Care services and case manager contact information.

Interior Health
Interior Health covers the following areas: Thompson Cariboo Shuswap, Okanagan, East Kootenay and Kootenay Boundary, including Williams Lake and south to Hope. Its website provides information about services offered through Interior Health, including Interior Health Home and Community Care services and contact information.

Northern Health
Northern Health covers Quesnel and all areas north, east and west of Quesnel. The website provides information about services offered through the health authority and about Northern Health assisted living and Home and Community Care services.

Vancouver Coastal Health
Vancouver Coastal Health includes Vancouver, the North Shore, Richmond and Coast Garibaldi. Its website provides information about services offered through the health authority, including Home and Community Care services and case manager contact information.

Vancouver Island Health Authority
Vancouver Island Health Authority covers Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Its website provides information about services offered through the health authority, including Home and Community Care services and case manager contact information.

Professional Associations

College of Dietitians of BC
The official website of the College of Dietitians of BC includes a list of registered dietitians. The assisted living Health and Safety Standards ^{(PDF 272K)} require assisted living operators to offer meals that provide balanced and adequate nutrition, and obtain professional advice to plan menus. To find a registered dietitian, consult this website.

College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC
The official website of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC includes a searchable list of registered LPNs. The assisted living Health and Safety Standards ^{(PDF 272K)} require assisted living operators to ensure professional oversight of non-professional staff. To find an LPN, consult this website.

College of Pharmacists of BC
The official website of the College of Pharmacists of BC includes patient information resources. The assisted living Health and Safety Standards ^{(PDF 272K)} require assisted living operators who centrally store residents’ medications to consult with a pharmacist regarding their medication storage and distribution policy. To find a pharmacist, consult this website.
For information about having a pharmacist renew or change a prescription, consult this brochure: “Understanding Your Pharmacist’s Role in Renewing or Adapting Your Prescription.”

College of Registered Nurses of BC
The College’s website provides information about registered nurses. The assisted living Health and Safety Standards ^{(PDF 272K)} require assisted living operators to ensure appropriate delegation of professional tasks to non-professional staff, consistent with the Personal Assistance Guidelines. To find an RN or the standard of practice for delegating professional tasks, consult this website.

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Office of the Assisted Living Registrar

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