News & Articles Archive

In November, the Provincial government introduced Bill 14 - which included amendments to the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2011. Under the current Act, workers are entitled to compensation for mental stress where it is an acute reaction to a sudden and unexpected traumatic event. In other words, what triggered the stress came from a single traumatic incident.

As proposed, Bill 14 allow for claims for mental stress where the mental stress is "a reaction to (i) one or more traumatic events arising out of and in the course of the worker's employment, or (ii) a significant work-related stressor, or a cumulative series of significant work-related stressors, arising out of and in the course of the worker's employment".

Staff, volunteers and participants in a groundbreaking intergenerational program being supported by the Williams Lake Seniors Village.

Over the past three years, the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) has been promoting the development of intergenerational projects across the province. There is a growing body of research pointing to the health care and quality of life benefits for both the seniors and the youth participating in these grassroots, community based programs.

In 2008 and 2009, BCCPA worked with educators and care providers across the province to develop a guide for communities interested in developing inter-generational programs. Since then BCCPA has also encouraged the federal government to provide funding to expand these programs through their national New Horizons fund - with success.

A call for proposals was issued last fall and projects across the country are expected to be announced later this year. But care providers and educators are not waiting - and the media is starting to notice.

A national article in the Globe and Mail profiled an innovative program that Invermere's Columbia Garden Valley retirement home has developed that puts a kindergarten in a seniors' home for two days a week. One 84 year old resident in the article said she was surprised the kids wanted to spend time with the seniors but the class's teacher said, "They're just completely accepting of each other. It makes for a million magic moments."

New Ministry of Health Report

The Ministry of Health has invited the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) and other leading seniors care stakeholders to provide feedback on a new report regarding the use of anti-psychotic drugs in residential seniors care facilities. BCCPA CEO Ed Helfrich welcomed the report and noted that many BCCPA members have introduced site-specific policies to help reduce the use of these drugs whenever possible. "Seniors care providers are working hard to ensure compliance with all regulations and securing appropriate consent as needed," said Helfrich. "We will be reviewing the report with front-line care providers and preparing a formal response early in the New Year that responds to the report's recommendations and suggests additional measures to protect the health of seniors, care staff and residents. Send us your feedback at info@bccare.ca.