Community and Health Agencies
Alzheimer Society of BC
The Alzheimer’s Society of BC is a province-wide non-profit organization dedicated to helping people concerned with or facing dementia have the confidence and skills to maintain quality of life. They are committed to ensuring public perceptions reflect the real issues, and to securing funding for support and research.
First Link Dementia Helpline: Your link to dementia support
Province wide: 1-800-936-6033 Lower Mainland: 604-681-8651
BC Bereavement Helpline
BCBH is a non-profit, free, and confidential service that connects the public to grief support services within the province of BC. Whether you are looking for bereavement support groups, community events, information on BC Bereavement Day, information on how to donate or to volunteer, you will find it here.
BC Seniors Advocate
The Office of the Seniors Advocate monitors and analyzes seniors’ services and issues in B.C., and makes recommendations to government and service providers to address systemic issues.
Speak with an Information & Referral analysts, Monday to Friday from 8:30 - 4:30 (except statutory holidays).
Toll-free: 1-877-952-3181
In Victoria: 250-952-3181
BC Seniors' Guide - Province of British Columbia
The BC Seniors' Guide is a book-style compilation of information and resources to help us all plan for and live a healthy lifestyle as we age.
Better at Home Program
Better At Home is a non-medical home support program managed by the United Way of the Lower Mainland and funded through the provincial government. Non-medical home support services are designed to assist seniors and elders with simple day-to-day tasks and are delivered primarily by non-profit agencies. Services provided across the 67 program locations vary and may include light yard work, minor home repairs, transportation to appointments, snow shoveling, light housekeeping, grocery shopping and friendly visiting. The goals of the program are to help seniors and elders continue to live independently in their own homes and remain connected to their communities.
Phone, Provincial Office: 604-268-1312 (General Inquiries)
Canadian Cancer Society - British Columbia and Yukon
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer.
Email: frontdesk@bc.cancer.ca
Phone: 604-872-4400
Toll-free: 1-800-663-2524
Canadian Mental Health Association
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) provides mental health promotion and mental illness recovery-focused programs and services for people of all ages and their families. In BC, mental health, substance use and addictive behaviour are within the scope of the organization.
Refer to the website for the location nearest you.
CNIB BC and Northern Canada
CNIB provides community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life and no Canadian loses their sight to preventable causes.
Refer to this website for the location nearest you.
Toll free: 1-800-563-2642
Cerebral Palsy Association of BC (CPABC) Seniors Program
“Tea, Talk and Crumpets” is a peer run social and recreational outlet for seniors with disabilities, facilitated and organized by community members, based at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, hosted by the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC. The group is for seniors with disabilities but is also open to able bodied seniors as well.
To register or for more information phone:
604-408-9484 (Vancouver)
Email: community@bccerebralpalsy.com
Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs
The Chronic Conditions Self-Management Program, also known as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, is a six-week workshop which helps people with chronic conditions to better manage their symptoms and their daily lives. The workshop provides information and teaches practical skills. It gives people the confidence and motivation they need to manage the challenges of living with chronic health conditions.
Council of Senior Citizens Organizations of British Columbia (COSCO)
COSCO is a British Columbia umbrella organization made up of various seniors organizations and individual associate members. The mandate is to promote the well-being of seniors and their families, advocating for policies that allow seniors to remain active, independent, and fully engaged in the life of our province. The organization is non-partisan, but politically active, advocating for seniors’ needs no matter who is in power.
Living through Loss Counselling Society of BC
LTLC offers professional grief counselling and emotional support to anyone who is experiencing stress due to life change or loss; also grief and loss training to professionals who deal with clients experiencing grief and loss.
In Vancouver, Phone: 604-873-5013
Email: info@livingthroughloss.ca
Mood Disorders Association
The Mood Disorders Association of BC (MDABC) is a nonprofit organization which provides treatment, support, education, and hope of recovery for people living with a mood disorder. Services include: Adult Psychiatric Clinic, counseling and wellness, and peer support groups. MDABC has developed a series of mental health fact sheets for seniors which can be downloaded from the website.
Phone: 604-873-0103
Email: infor@mdabc.net
NIDUS Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry
The Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre is a non-profit, charitable organization. Nidus has helped thousands of people make Representation Agreements and learn how to protect themselves — by putting legal plans in place for incapacity, end-of-life and other support needs.
Nidus also operates a Registry for your planning documents and other important information you might need in case of a natural disaster or health crisis.
Contact: info@nidus.ca
Parkinson Society British Columbia
The staff is committed to offering support, sharing reliable information and raising funds for programs and research. Parkinson Society British Columbia has a network of more than 50 volunteer-led support groups throughout BC.
Phone: 604-662-3240
Toll Free: 1-800-668-3330
Public Guardian & Trustee of BC
The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) provides a range of services to adults who may need help managing their affairs as well as to their families, legal representatives, the courts and the general public.
Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada empowers Canadians to improve their health. In partnership with others, its activities focus on preventing disease and injuries, promoting good physical and mental health, and providing information to support informed decision making. It values scientific excellence and provides national leadership in response to public health threats.
Seniors’ Distress Line: 604-872-1234
Crisis Line: 604-872-3311
Provincial Suicide Helpline: 1-800-784-2433 (SUICIDE)
Seniors First BC
Seniors First BC works to prevent elder abuse across the entire province, providing assistance and support to older adults who are, or may be, abused and those whose rights have been violated. We provide programs that educate, support and advocate on behalf of our clients.
SENIORS ABUSE AND INFORMATION LINE (SAIL)
Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm
Language Interpretation Available:
Monday to Friday, 9am - 4pm
Toll Free: 1-866-437-1940
In Vancouver 604-437-1940
TTY: 604-428-3359 (Teletype for the deaf)
Seniors' Health | HealthLink BC
Links to information on senior's health topics and health concerns.
Seniors Services Society
Seniors Services Society provides housing services for seniors 55+ or those close to 55 with a disability living in British Columbia. While not a housing provider nor a housing placement service, SSS offers three unique housing programs to assist seniors find appropriate housing.
Phone: 604-520-6621
Stroke Recovery Association of BC
Stroke Recovery Association of BC provides services, education and advocacy to those affected by stroke throughout every stage of recovery. Services and resources provide hope and help to stroke survivors, as well as their families, friends and health care professionals. There is a network of branches which provide support and friendship, each one headed up by a coordinator who organizes stroke recovery programs and activities.
Phone: 604-688-3603
Toll Free: 1-888-313-3377
Veterans Affairs Canada
There is a wide variety of services for Veterans and their families—programs to assist after an injury or during the transition from military to civilian life, and many other services to help. For example, a veteran may qualify for financial benefits to obtain services through the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) which could help the veteran to remain independent and self-sufficient in his/her home and community. Consult the website for your local office.
Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility
Wavefront Centre provides resources to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing: including hearing aid services, sign language interpreting services, employment counselling services, a job resource centre, a seniors outreach program, a communication devices showroom, informative classes, and community presentations.
Phone (Vancouver): 604-736-7391
Toll-Free: 1-888-736-7391
TTY: 604-736-2527
Email: info@wavefrontcentre.ca
2-1-1 BC 211
A free information service funded by United Way which can help you find social and government services. Translation services are available.
Just dial 2-1-1
TTY: call 604-875-0885
Phone (Vancouver): 604-736-7391
Toll-Free: 1-888-736-7391
TTY: 604-736-2527
Email: info@wavefrontcentre.ca
8-1-1 HealthLink811
This is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available in British Columbia. By calling 8-1-1, you can speak to a health services navigator, who can help you find health information and services; or connect you directly with a registered nurse, a registered dietitian, a qualified exercise professional, or a pharmacist. Any one of these healthcare professionals will help you get the information you need to manage your health concerns, or those of your family. Translations services are available on request in more than 130 languages.