BC Seniors Advocate Presents at MLA Town Hall

We were pleased to see a good turn out for our Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Town Hall on Seniors and Health Care held on March 29th at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre Sports View Lounge. We were fortunate to receive a very informative presentation from Isobel MacKenzie, who was appointed as the BC Seniors Advocate two years ago. Isobel brings over 20 years of experience working with seniors in home care, licensed care, community services and volunteer services. Isobel led BC’s largest not-for-profit agency, serving over 6,000 seniors annually. It is clear that Isobel is passionate and dedicated to her work. Her presentation was very well received and those in attendance were given an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the important work undertaken by her office.

There are five mandated areas under the responsibilities of the Office of the Seniors Advocate (“OSA”):

• Health care
• Housing
• Transportation
• Income support
• Personal care

The OSA is an independent office of the provincial government and has several key functions, including analyzing, reporting and monitoring systemic issues that affect seniors. The OSA makes recommendations to government for change and provides information and referral to seniors and their families.

The OSA produces reports, including recently published BC Residential Facilities Quick Facts Directory (March 2016) and a report on Monitoring Seniors Services (January 2016).

More information about the OSA, including programs and subsidies for seniors is available at their website. The office can be reached by phone Toll-Free at 1-877-952-3181 Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm (except statutory holidays) or by Email at: info@seniorsadvocatebc.ca

Translation services are available in more than 180 languages.

We will be featuring an interview with Isobel MacKenzie in an upcoming MLA Constituency Report, airing on Shaw Cable April 30, 2016 (8:30am) and May 1, 2016 (10:30am and 3:00pm).

Our sincere thanks are extended to Isobel for participating in our town hall.