- The Surrey Leader
Seniors' care is a growing issue across Canada, and one non-profit group says Surrey is no exception.
David Hurford, the director of public relations and member services with the B.C. Care Providers' Association (BCCPA), says Surrey's rapidly growing population, changing demographics and diverse makeup are causing seniors' care issues to rise to the forefront locally.
"It's a real hotbed," he says. "Surrey is really wrestling with the challenges of an aging society."
Seniors' care in Surrey falls under two primary models - the Fraser Health Authority's in-house services and other services. The latter group includes private, non-profit and denominational services. A variety of care is offered, ranging from occasional visits in seniors' own homes to live-in residential facilities.
Hurford's group represents private and non-profit services across the province. He says all service providers are facing significant challenges. One example is the government's traditional preference for full-service residential care over home care, Hurford says. He believes home care can be a much more cost-effective option.
"There's been a trend away from home care support, and we think the government should reverse that trend," he says. "Home care is the preferred choice for most seniors, it's the most cost-effective form of service, and it just makes sense."
When long-term residential care is required, Hurford says the government should expedite the process of moving seniors out of acute care beds in hospitals.
The cost to keep a senior in an acute care bed for one night is about $1,200, whereas the cost to keep them in a residential care bed is about $200.
Hurford says his group would also like to see provincial or national standards set for the per diem rates that each organization receives per senior they care for and the minimum staffing levels they must provide. At present, there are differing rates and staffing for various facilities.
BCCPA president Christine Nidd says these inequities are among the main factors impacting senior care in Surrey.
"Some non-profit and private care facilities receive as little as $140 a day from their health authority to care for a senior in residential care," she says. "Others receive over $230 a day to provide the same service."
Then there is the impending Harmonized Sales Tax, which Hurford says may wind up costing seniors' care providers $10.5 million annually.
"The HST is a huge challenge for core providers now, especially providers who have contracted out to try and keep costs down."
The BCCPA has met with finance minister Colin Hansen to discuss ways to reduce the impact of the HST, and the group has received some concessions - including the application of the residential hydro exemption to seniors' care facilities and a 57-per-cent rebate for non-profit organizations.
Overall, Hurford is optimistic moves will be made to improve efficiency in seniors' care, citing this summer's appointment of Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Kevin Falcon as Minister of Health Services.
"We've been very pleased with the response we've been getting from Minister Falcon," Hurford says. "He has a history of really pushing the status quo and cutting through the red tape, and that's what's needed here."
