As we approach a holiday weekend for reflection and celebration of heritage and culture, ILTCCABC reminds BC that we still have a way to go with meeting the needs of our growing seniors’ population.
We thought we would provide you with a summary of the recent Seniors Advocate report through the lens of our residents and family council in long-term care
The recent Seniors Advocate report: https://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/app/uploads/sites/4/2026/07/osa-annual-report-2025-26.pdf is out.
The Annual Report (2025/26 Office of the Seniors Advocate Annual Report) references long-term care and highlights the major systemic work completed during the year. The most significant references are summarized below.
1. Growing Shortage of Long-Term Care Beds
The annual report identifies the shortage of long-term care beds as one of the Office’s major priorities during the year.
2. Release of the Systemic Review:
From Shortfall to Crisis: Growing Demand for Long-Term Care Beds in B.C.
3. Impact on Families
The Annual Report repeatedly notes that shortages in long-term care affect far more than residents.
Families are described as carrying increasing responsibility because publicly funded services are not keeping pace with need.
4. Need for Better Home Supports
The report emphasizes that improving long-term care cannot rely solely on building more beds.
5. Long-Term Care Wait Times
The annual report points to rapidly worsening access.
6. Pressure on Hospitals
The report directly connects long-term care shortages with hospital overcrowding.
7. Long-Term Care Must Be Part of a Continuum
The report consistently frames long-term care within the broader continuum of seniors’ services:
Particularly Relevant to ILTCCABC are the findings that align closely with ILTCCABC’s advocacy priorities.
The report reinforces the need for:
- stronger engagement of residents and families in long-term care planning;
- improved quality of life alongside access to care;
- greater support for family caregivers;
- a more person-centred continuum of care; and
- provincial leadership that plans for both the quantity and quality of long-term care services.
Issues the Office Identifies as Needing Attention
Across the Annual Report and the highlighted long-term care work, the Office identifies these key needs:
| Need | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| More long-term care beds | Current and projected demand exceeds supply. |
| Faster access | Wait times continue to increase, leaving seniors without timely care. |
| Better support for family caregivers | Families shoulder increasing care responsibilities while waiting. |
| Affordable home support | Stronger home care can delay or prevent unnecessary admissions. |
| More respite and adult day programs | Essential supports for caregivers and community living. |
| Greater transparency | Families need clear, consistent information about wait lists and placement. |
| Provincial long-term planning | Existing expansion plans do not meet projected demand. |
| Accountability | Government should establish measurable action plans with regular reporting. |
Contact ILTCCABC for information on how you can support positive change in long-term care: iltccabc@gmail.com
