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On this day back in 1867, Queen Victoria gave royal assent to the British North America Act, essentially creating the Dominion of Canada.
Also on this day, 99 years later, Muhammad Ali beat Canada’s George Chuvalo in a heavyweight tilt at Maple Leaf Gardens.
And speaking of 99, Wayne Gretzky scored his final NHL goal on this day, fittingly, in 1999. All that happened on a March 29.
The real question is, what are you going to do on this one?
— Mark
Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes
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BC seniors living longer, but waiting longer for the care they need, says provincial advocate
BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt. Screenshot courtesy the Office of the Seniors Advocate BC
The latest report from the independent voice for BC’s seniors and their caregivers says older adults are waiting longer for front-line services—such as hip and knee replacements—because the provincial government isn’t keeping pace with an aging population.
“Our report found wait times for surgeries, long-term care, safe hospital discharge, and subsidized housing are all increasing as more people reach their older years,” said Dan Levitt, BC’s seniors advocate.
“These are all vital services that help seniors maintain their independence, health, and quality of life. However, a growing number of people are unable to access these supports.”
Levitt said the good news is people are living longer. He says today, a 65-year-old can expect to live to 87.
More good news can be found, he said, as many low-income seniors have received higher rent subsidies through the provincial government’s Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, where the average monthly subsidy increased to $337. Additionally, the province’s Better at Home program—which provides light housekeeping, yardwork, meal delivery, and visits—has nearly doubled its inventory of services over the last six years.
“These supports can make a difference for someone staying in their home, versus moving into independent living, assisted living, or long-term care,” Levitt said.
But on the medical side, wait times for four of the top five surgeries are rising.
Using stats from 2024-2025, on average, seniors waited 61% longer to have knee surgery than six years ago. Wait times for a hip replacement increased 72%. Prostate surgery delays were up 29%, and a hernia operation took on average 16% longer to go through the system, according to the seniors' advocate.
One in five BC residents is a senior, and in the next 10 years, that’s expected to rise to one in four, he said. BC’s seniors’ population (65+) was 1.1 million in 2024, an increase of 44% over the last decade, and is expected to increase by 400K by 2036.
Levitt worries about how the province is going to handle the resultant increased demand for services.
Read more here in this new story from Castanet Media.
⚠ Capital Bulletin
Esquimalt road closures for Michael Dunahee Keep the Hope Alive Run & Walk: Lyall between Fraser and Joffre, today, 9:30am to 12:30pm. [VicPD]
Victoria street closure: Vista Heights from Rise to Cook, until April 3
Lane closure: Cook at Kings, until April 3
Saanich road closure: Maddock between Davin and Harriet, tomorrow and Tuesday, 8:30am to 3pm
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
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