Whether seniors live in residential care, assisted living or their own homes, government is taking action to ensure care will be there for them when and where they need it.

The ministries of Health and Advanced Education, Skills and Training are providing approximately $3.3 million to create new health-care assistant seats in 11 post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia. This is one part of a larger human resource strategy to increase staffing levels in residential care facilities and community care sectors.

There are currently an estimated 28,000 health-care assistants employed by health authorities and affiliated employers in B.C. Health-care assistants provide personal support services for seniors, people with a disability and people with acute or chronic illnesses. They work in a variety of settings including home support, assisted living and residential care facilities.

There are 17 publicly funded post-secondary institutions throughout B.C. that offer health-care assistant training. Training programs are approximately six to 10 months long. This new funding will make the new seats available by December 2019. This will help achieve the recommended 3.36 hours per resident day average in residential care facilities, and strengthen the level of care people receive at home, in assisted living facilities and residential care.

Increasing the number of health-care assistant seats is part of work underway to support a human resources strategy to ensure the health-care workforce meets the needs of patients. As well, government has developed a broader strategy to improve and strengthen services for B.C. seniors. Budget 2018 provides $548 million over the next three years to improve care for seniors, including investments in primary care, home and community care, residential care and assisted living.

From the Backgrounder: The ministries of Health and Advanced Education will provide funding to 11 post-secondary institutions throughout BC, including 90 additional seats at Camosun College, funded with $912,000

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Backgrounder: