Seniors

Current Initiatives

• Seniors Backgrounder and Fact Sheet
• Community Services Grants - Seniors Groups
• Vancouver Cross Cultural Seniors Network
• Senior Supportive and Assisted Housing
• Link to Other Important Initiatives

Seniors Backgrounder and Factsheet (October 2010)

Download the City's new Seniors in Vancouver Discussion Paper and Factsheet. (October 2010)

The Seniors fact sheet and background paper are the first in a series of publications on key demographic groups in Vancouver, and use as a basis, findings contained in our 2009 Social Indicators and Trends Report (SITR). While the SITR profiles 2006 census data, the senior’s documents build on census information and tell the story of seniors in Vancouver, incorporating a range of expertise and current research findings to reflect an evidence informed, in depth understanding of key issues.

It is our hope that the fact sheets can be widely distributed throughout the community to increase public awareness on senior’s issues. The background paper, which contains detailed demographic information and provides some discussion about key issues facing seniors, can be used for planning and/or proposal writing purposes. If you wish to host a community dialogue on senior’s issues, the background paper can help provide a framework for these discussions. The publications will be distributed internally to City staff groups who can use the information to inform planning decisions and age friendly policy and practice. A range of external stakeholders will also receive copies

:: Download Seniors in Vancouver Discussion Paper (PDF, 3.91MB)
:: Download Seniors in Vancouver Fact Sheet (PDF, 55KB)

Community Services Grants - Seniors Groups

In 2010, Council approved $508,000, in Community Services Grants to community-based seniors’ centres and programs. Groups which the City assists include 411 Seniors Centre, West End Seniors Network, South Granville Seniors Centre, SUCCESS Seniors Quality of Life, and others.

In total, 19 programs offering services specifically designed for and by seniors received support. (The City grants also support Neighbourhood Houses and other multi-service groups whose participants include seniors.)

The community-based seniors’ programs assisted by the City are important resources for Vancouver seniors. Here are a few examples of centres and the services they provide:

• 411 Seniors Centre has an extensive Information and Referral Service including multicultural information counsellors and outreach counsellors who are able to visit home-bound seniors. In addition to providing a range of social/recreational activities, 411 has initiated many important projects including the Falls Prevention Program and the recent seniors’ conference, Seniors Summit 2. 411 Seniors Centre Society
• The West End Seniors Network runs a drop-in information and referral centre in Denman mall, and Vancouver’s main seniors’ peer counselling program, among other initiatives.
• Vancouver Second Mile, which also sponsors the Neighbourhood Helpers Program in the Downtown Eastside and Downtown South, provides both a drop in space in English-speaking, Chinese and Aboriginal seniors, and an outreach program which connects to older SRO residents. Other groups such as the Chinese Community Library and Jewish Family Services also run outreach programs to isolated seniors.
• The SUCCESS Seniors Quality of Life Program has helped connect Cantonese and Mandarin-speaking seniors to community centres, not just as program participants but as contributing members to planning committees and boards. South Granville Seniors Centre has similarly assisted Spanish-speaking seniors.

For more information on City grants, click on Community Services Grants.

For contact information on many of the City’s seniors groups, go to the Information Services Vancouver Red Book Online.

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Vancouver Cross Cultural Seniors Network

The purpose of this group, which came out of work originally done by members of the City’s Special Advisory Committee on Seniors, is to create a network among seniors of all ethno-cultural backgrounds, for the purposes of sharing information, learning from each other, and working together on common issues. The Network is particularly interested in identifying and working on, issues and problems seniors experience with access to services/resources.

The Vancouver Cross Cultural Seniors Network has regular monthly meetings at Trout Lake Community Centre. Anyone with an interest in seniors issues is welcome. For more information, call 604-871-6031.

Seniors Supportive and Assisted Housing

In January, 2004 the City approved a new Zoning by-law definition which encompasses all types of seniors’ housing which provide “hospitality services” (meals, housekeeping, laundry, social/recreational activities, and 24 hour emgergency response) and may provide “personal services” (e.g., assistance with bathing or mobility, monitoring of medications, etc.). This new definition supercedes the previous definition “Congregate Housing.” The design guidelines previously developed for “Congregate Housing” have been re-labelled as “Seniors Supportive and Assisted Housing Design Guidelines” (PDF, 73KB).

Seniors Supportive and Assisted Housing is an allowable use in virtually all the City’s zoning districts, including Gastown, Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside. Buildings Registered as “Assisted Living” with the Province, also fall under this new definition.

Anyone who wishes to open a Seniors Supportive and Assisted Housing project should contact either the Housing Centre or Social Planning for further information.

Seniors interested in finding information about seniors’ rental housing or on various forms of supportive housing, can contact the Seniors Services Society. The Society is a non-profit organization and can be reached at 604-520-6621 or at www.seniorsservicessociety.ca.

Links to Other Important Initiatives

• 411 Seniors Centre Information & Referral Program - Seniors Outreach Services (PDF, 21KB)

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