B.C. Ombudsperson Kim Carter will be in Courtenay on Monday for a presentation and community discussion on seniors' care.
Carter will give an update on her two-part report, The Best of Care: Getting it Right for Seniors in British Columbia.
The presentation and discussion will happen at the Best Western Plus Westerly Hotel from 1 to 3 p.m. on Nov. 26 and is hosted by the Comox Valley Retired Teachers' Association.
Cliff Boldt, president of the Comox Valley Retired Teachers' Association, notes Carter's update will feature her roadmap on how to improve services for the 15 per cent of seniors who need home support and services in facilities.
"Home support is an especially critical matter because it allows seniors to live in their homes at a much-reduced cost," he adds.
"Ms. Carter's visit will be a critical opportunity for seniors, their families and caregivers to ask questions about the roadmap and the issues seniors are facing in the Comox Valley. Her visit will stimulate questions seniors and families can ask candidates in the 2013 election."
Bolt suggests seniors, their family members and other interested community members such as representatives of service providers, organizations, people or groups who work with seniors, care workers, advocates attend the presentation and discussion.
Carter's report calls for the appointment of a senior's advocate independent of government, and she makes recommendations to the Ministry of Health and five regional authorities to improve home and community care, home support, assisted living and residential care services for seniors in B.C.