In an age-friendly British Columbia, older people are supported to live active, socially engaged, independent lives. Our vision is of a province where people of all ages and abilities feel included and valued in their communities. Through Age-friendly B.C., the government of British Columbia is working with local governments and other partners to achieve this vision.

These web pages will help you discover what you can do to make your community age-friendly.

Age-friendly Communities
Local government officials and staff, and interested community members, can get information on the benefits and the key features of an age-friendly community; the steps to becoming an age-friendly community; and how to get recognized for their efforts.

Age-friendly Businesses
Business owners can learn what it means to be an age-friendly business, and how their business rates on the age-friendly scale.

Ideas in Action
See how innovative communities around the province are making great strides in becoming age-friendly. Get ideas for your own age-friendly initiatives.

Links to Resources
Find links to a wide range of supports, tools and resources to help you get started in making your community or business age-friendly.

Services and programs: http://www.asthma.ca/corp/services/

The Society’s programs are based on specific educational objectives, derived from the Canadian Asthma Consensus Guidelines [PDF]. Each program and service addresses a specific area where gaps have been identified through the National Asthma Control Task Force Report.

These programs are run by professionally trained Certified Asthma Educators who use the Internet, a toll-free telephone line, and print material, to provide the most cost-effective and convenient access available for all Canadians with asthma.

The range of programs and services are geared to asthma consumers and their families through community-based healthcare professionals, including asthma educators, physicians, pharmacists, and public healthcare workers.

The PlanH program supports local government engagement and partnerships across sectors for creating healthier communities. Recognizing that community policy, plans, and decisions affect health and well-being, PlanH provides learning opportunities, resources, and leading-edge practices for collaborative local action.

PlanH is a partnership between BC Healthy Communities Society and Healthy Families BC, and is informed by health authorities and other key stakeholders.

Better at Home is a program that helps seniors with simple day-to-day tasks so that they can continue to live independently in their own homes and remain connected to their communities. The Government of British Columbia funds the program, United Way of the Lower Mainland manages it, and local non-profit organizations provide the services.

Seniors living in a community which offers Better at Home, can contact a local organization to find out more and to apply for services. A service provider will help determine which services are most appropriate for an individual’s circumstances.

The Canadian Diabetes Association leads the fight against diabetes by helping those affected by diabetes live healthy lives, preventing the onset and consequences of diabetes, and discovering a cure.

As part of the health care system in Canada, CIHI is here to help you access the most up-to-date health care data available. Whether you want to order a publication on health care in Canada, register for an online education session or pursue a career opportunity, you’ll find links to some of our key resources on this page. If you’re looking for something specific, feel free to contact our program experts.

Call 8-1-1 toll-free in B.C. or for the hearing-impaired, call 7-1-1.

You can speak with a health service representative, who can also connect you with a:

• registered nurse any time, every day of the year;
• registered dietitian from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday;
• pharmacist from 5pm to 9am every day of the year.

Translation services are available in more than 130 languages.

Please note that we are unable to provide general health information or advice about symptoms by email. For general health information or symptom advice, please call us at 8-1-1 any time of the day or night.