Old Age Security Program (OAS):
Seniors Gateway to Legal Information & Resources
2nd floor, 411 Dunsmuir St., 604-684-8171 ext. 237, info@seniorsgateway.vcn.bc.ca
http:www.seniorsgateway.vcn.bc.ca/subject_categories/oas.html
Health and Seniors Information Line
“One stop” for information on both health and non-health related federal and provincial government programs and services. Accessible 8:30 am–4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Translation services are available in 130 languages.
1-800-465-9411 http://www.health.gov.bc.ca
411 Seniors Centre Society
Vancouver, 604-684-8171, 411seniors.bc.ca/
Seniors Services Society
New Westminster, 604-520-6621 http://www.seniorsservicessociety.ca/
BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support
604-437-1940 or 1-866-437-1940 (toll free), http://bcceas.ca
The Office of the Seniors Advocate
1-877-952-3181, the go-to resource for seniors information and referral.
http://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/
BC 211 Information and Referral
General information line accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call 211 http://www.bc211.ca/
Addiction Counselling Service for Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Our mission is to equip people and their families with the best information, resources and tools to overcome addiction and lead a lifelong recovery.
24/7 Help: 855-520-2898
https://www.drugrehab.com/support/
https://www.drugrehab.com/addiction/
Alcohol Rehab and Recovery
The AlcoRehab team is a group of professionals who are passionate about helping those struggling with alcoholism. We are devoted to providing free support and resources for people who are fighting an alcohol addiction and their loved ones.
For Alcoholism Support 24/7 Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
https://alcorehab.org
Alzheimer Society of B.C.
Resources and Information. Alzheimer resource centers located throughout the province.
604-681-6530 http://www.alzheimer.ca/
BC Bereavement Helpline
Lower Mainland 1-877-779-2223 604-738-9950
http://www.bcbereavementhelpline.com
Bereavement Walking Program
It is a time to walk and talk with others who are grieving
604-731-8643 (Sharon) 604-731-7805 (Sue)
Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC (24 hrs.)
Provides confidential supportive telephone lay counselling services.
604-872-3311 http://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca
The Dementia Helpline
A service for people with dementia, their care-givers, family and friends.
604-681-8651 http://www.alzheimerbc.org
Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Counselling and supportive services to individuals and families.
604-731-4951 http://www.fsgv.ca
Jewish Family Service Agency
Counselling, supportive, and information/referral services to individuals and families.
604-257-5151 http://www.jfsa.ca
Jewish Seniors Alliance Peer Support Services
No charge volunteer peer counselling, Shalom Again friendly telephone calls, friendly home visits.
604-267-1555 https://www.jsalliance.org/
Caregiver Support: Home and Community Care
Supports the emotional and physical demands of caregivers. Caregiver support provides caregivers a break from the emotional and physical demands of caring for a friend or relative.
Provincial toll-free number: 604-310-6789
Seniors Distress Line: 604-872-1234
Health and seniors’ information line: 1-800-465-4911
http://www.vch.ca/your-health/health-topics/caregiver-support/
L’Chaim Adult Day Centre
Provides a social, therapeutic & recreational service to frail or disabled older adults.
604-638-7275 http://www.adultdaycentres.org/l’chaim
Prostate Cancer Supportive Care Program
604-875-4111 ext. 6233
http://www.prostatecentre.com/patient-information/prostate-cancer-supportive-care-program-pcsc
TTY at the Vancouver Crises Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre
Text Telephone for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 604-872-0113
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Serves Vancouver, Richmond, North and West Vancouver, Sea to Sky Highway areas, Sunshine Coast and B.C. Central coast.
604-736-2033 http://www.vch.ca
Fraser Health Authority
Serves Fraser North, Fraser South and Fraser East.
604-587-4600 http://www.fraserhealth.ca
Healthlink BC
At HealthLink BC, you will find medically-approved information on more than 5,000 health topics, symptoms, medications, and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You can also search our online Directory to find health services near you.
Call 8-1-1 from anywhere in British Columbia to speak with a nurse any time of the day or night. On weekdays, you can speak to a dietitian about nutrition and healthy eating. At night, we have pharmacists available to answer your medication questions.
British Columbians have trusted health information at their fingertips by phone or web with HealthLink BC. Watch our video to learn more about our services and resources.
Call 8-1-1 www.healthlinkbc.ca
Jewish Seniors Alliance of Greater Vancouver
Outreach, Advocacy & Research, Peer Support Services.
Provides information regarding services of interest to Jewish seniors and their primary/secondary care-givers.
604-732-1555 office@jsalliance.org www.jsalliance.org
TTY (special Telus relay service for deaf and hearing impaired)
Call 7-1-1
Louis Brier Home and Hospital
Provides complex residential and extended hospital care.
604-261-9376 http://www.louisbrier.com
BC Seniors’ Home Renovation Tax Credit
A new, refundable Personal Income Tax credit to assist with the cost of permanent home modifications that improve accessibility or help a senior be more functional or mobile at home.
1-800-959-8281 CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id this doesn’t work
Home Adaptations For Independence Program
The HAFI program helps low-income seniors and people with disabilities finance home modifications for accessible, safe and independent living. Up to $20,000 per home in the form of a forgiveable loan.
604-646-7055 hafi@bchousing.org www.bchousing.org/HAFI
Home Owner Grant for Seniors
The grant reduces the amount of property tax you have to pay. The program has several enhancements for seniors, some persons with disabilities and their families, and certain veterans of older conflict and their spouses. 1-888-355-2700
http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property Taxes/Home Owner Grant/hog.htm
SAFER (Shelter Aid for Elderly Residents)
Provides monthly payments to subsidize rents for eligible BC seniors.
604-433-2218 press “1” www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Providing/SAFER
Seniors’ Supportive Housing (SSH)
The SSH program provides specially modified rental homes in selected subsidized housing developments, primarily to low-Income seniors who need some assistance in order to continue to live independently.
BC Housing SSH 604-433-2218
http://www.bchousing.org/Options/Supportive Housing/SSH/SSH
SHIP (Seniors Housing Information Program)
Operated by the Seniors Services Society, the directory provides a comprehensive list of housing available for seniors living in or wishing to live in the Lower Mainland of BC.
604-520-6621 www.vcn.bc.ca/ship/
Property Tax Deferment (PTD) Program is a loan program that allows eligible seniors to defer the annual property taxes on their home for as long as they own and live in the home.
604-660-2421, e-mail: taxdeferment/@gov.bc.ca
http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property Taxes/Property Tax Deferment/ptd.htm
Dial-A-Law Lawyer Referral Service
CBA British Columbia Dial-A-Law-Cbabc.org
604-687-4680 www.dialalaw.org/
Income Assistance (for seniors not receiving old Age Security)
1-866-866-0800 (press 3 + 1) http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/bcea.htm
Medical Services Plan Subscriber Information
Automated service providing enrolment and premium information and answers to frequently asked questions. 24 hour service.
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp
MSP (Medical Services Plan) premium assistance
On a sliding scale, full premium assistance at $22,000 or less.
1-800-663-7100 or 604-683-7151 http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp
NIDUS Personal Planning Registry
Representation Agreement Office http://www.nidus.ca
PharmaCare (including the Fair Pharmacare Plan)
604-683-7151 604-660-2421 https://extranet.gov.bc.ca/forms/gov/contact/index.html
Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL)
8 am to 8 pm daily, excluding holidays.
604-437-1940 | Toll-free: 1-866-437-1940
SAIL is a safe place for older adults, and those who care about them, to talk to someone about situations where they feel they are being abused or mistreated, or to receive information about elder abuse prevention. SAIL is the first contact point to our services, which include victim services support and legal assistance for seniors. All calls are confidential.
Program operated by Seniors First BC (formerly BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support).
Dial-A-Dietitian
Specializes in easy-to-use nutrition information for self-care.
604-732-9191 http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/dietitian
Meals on Wheels
Burnaby 604-299-5754
Coquitlam 604-942-7506
Richmond 604-292-7200
Surrey/Delta 604-588-0325
New Westminster 604-520-6621
Vancouver 604-684-8171
White Rock 604-536-3866
North Vancouver/West Vancouver 604-922-3414
Kosher meals:
Contact Jewish Family Service Agency 604-257-5151 local 218
Food Bank
Contact Jewish Family Service Agency 604-257-5151 local 230
Suppliers of Kosher meat and poultry
Kosher Food Warehouse 604-709-9889
Omnitsky 604-321-1818
Sabra 604-733-4912
Superstore 604-322-3702
HandyDART Vancouver TransLink
778-452-2860 http://www.translink.ca
SN Wheelchair Transport
Special needs door to door 1-800-768-0044 www.sntransport.ca/
HandyDART Custom Transit
HandyDART is a special transportation service for eligible persons with a physical or cognitive disability who cannot use regular public transport without assistance.
604-953-3333 www.translink.ca/en/Rider-Info/Accessible-Transit.aspx
Taxi Saver Program
BC Transit and Translink offer a Taxi Saver program for handyDART or handyCard registrants. This program provides a 50 per cent subsidy toward the cost of taxi rides.
www.bctransit.com
Translink Bus Service
Bus and route timetable advice
604-953-3333 www.translink.ca
Driving Miss Daisy
Driving service for seniors to appointments, programs
604-290-8874, 1-866-351-9696 http://www.drivingmissdaisy.net/en/
STAR:Looking for a seniors’ ride program?http://starcanada.ca/seniors-their-families/available-ride-programs/ stephanie.williams@best.bc.ca
604-669-2860 ext. 212
Accessible Parking
http://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/accessible-parking.aspx
In addition to parking options available to everyone, if you have a vehicle with a valid SPARC permit, you can park in the following restricted-access parking spots in the City of Vancouver:
• Designated disabled parking zones
• Accessible parking meter spots
Alcohol and Drug Info & Referral – education, prevention and treatment services, and regulatory agencies related to any kind of substance abuse.
604-660-9382 http://www.health.gov.bc.ca
Ambulance Billing Service 1-800-665-7199
1-800-465-9411 http://www.health.gov.bc.ca
Jewish Family Services Agency, Senior Services
Mon to Fri excluding statutory and Jewish holidays.
Provides information to seniors and their families in all aspects of the aging journey.
604-257-5151: local 217 / 218 / 219
Jewish Seniors Alliance Information and Referral Services Provides information regarding services of interest to Jewish seniors and their primary/secondary care-givers. Accessible 9:00 am–5:00 pm. Monday to Thursday excluding statutory and Jewish holidays. No-cost Peer Support Counselling Services.
604-732-1555 https://www.jsalliance.org/
Poison Control Centre
1-800-567-8911 http://www.dpic.org
1-800-Banting – The Canadian Diabetes Association
For those living with diabetes, family, friends, and caregivers – with information on the prevention and management of diabetes and referral to various community resources. Canada offers disease information, programs.
1-800-226-8464 http://www.diabetes.ca
Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Information Service
Up-to-date information on a variety of cancer related topics, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment. Can help find cancer-related services and programs in local communities, and interpreter service.
1-888-939-3333 www.cancer.ca
Heart & Stroke Foundation of B.C.
Dedicated to the prevention and relief of heart disease and stroke in B.C. and the Yukon. Provides information on research and support groups.
1-888-473-4636 604-736-4404 http://www.heartandstroke.ca
Kidney Foundation of Canada
Dedicated to Research into kidney disease and related disorders, as well as public education and patient services.
1-800-361-7494 / 604-736-9775 http://www.kidney.ca
Quit Smoking & Breathe Easy
Tobacco Use & Elderly Care
Maintaining a Healthy Atmosphere—smoking exposes the elderly, who depend on their caretakers, to numerous dangerous chemicals. These chemicals are found in second and third-hand smoke, and are just as dangerous as smoking directly.
To reach us by e-mail, please contact:
Sarah Delaney at at: sarah@quitday.org https://quitday.org/
Quit Smoking Community
Quit Smoking Community is a virtual community that offers support and information for those trying to kick the deadliest habit in the world.
Our vision for Quit Smoking Community is to provide a hub where visitors can access information regarding quitting smoking, as well as download resources and tools to help them begin and complete their quit journey. Our website currently receives over 10,000 visitors per day from around the world, and we hope to bring people of different races and nationalities together in the fight against tobacco.
https://quitsmokingcommunity.org/
The Stroke Recovery Association of B.C. (SRABC)
Offers information and programs for stroke survivors after they leave hospital.
1-888-313-3377 / 604-688-3603 http://www.strokerecoverybc.ca
BC SENIORS’ GUIDE
For a more comprehensive and detailed listing of all services available for seniors in B.C, please inquire about the
BC Seniors’ Guide, a booklet published by the Government of British Columbia.
Telephone Government of BC: 1-800-663-7867 www.SeniorsBC.ca
