Implications from the “From Shortfall to Crisis” Report – Seniors Advocate BC, July 2025
British Columbia’s long-term care (LTC) system is at a breaking point. Waitlists have tripled in less than a decade, average waits now approach a year, and projections show a gap of 16,000 LTC beds by 2036. Amid this crisis, home care support stands as a critical—and cost-effective—pressure valve. But as the Seniors Advocate’s latest report reveals, that valve is weakening.
- Cost-Effective, But Underutilized
Publicly subsidized home care costs roughly $15,000 per year per client, compared to over $100,000 annually for an LTC bed. Every senior who can remain safely at home through adequate support frees up scarce LTC space and reduces costs to the healthcare system.
Yet, the report finds 12.5% of new LTC residents could have remained at home if home support had been more accessible—significantly higher than the Canadian benchmark. This means preventable LTC admissions, avoidable hospital visits, and unnecessary financial strain on the system.
- Fee Barriers Pushing Seniors Away
Many seniors—particularly those in middle-income brackets—face significant daily or hourly charges for home support. These fees can discourage use, even when the need is urgent. Without affordable alternatives, some are forced into LTC prematurely, while families take on exhausting caregiving duties.
- Service Gaps and Inconsistencies
Caregivers surveyed expressed frustration at insufficient support hours, unpredictable schedules, and sudden changes in care providers. Communication breakdowns between agencies and families further undermine trust.
Such instability in home care can put seniors at risk, leading to unnecessary hospital admissions and accelerated health decline.
- Caregiver Burnout Is Escalating
The human toll is stark. Nearly 60% of LTC admissions involved caregivers already experiencing distress. Among those providing more than four hours of care daily, 91% reported exhaustion, and a majority described feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Without reliable home support, these caregivers are burning out—often leaving no choice but institutional care.
- A Strategic Lifeline for the Healthcare System
Robust home support not only keeps seniors independent longer, it also helps hospitals function. Seniors waiting for LTC currently occupy 80% of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) beds, delaying new admissions and tying up resources. Strengthening home care can allow more seniors to be discharged home safely, easing ER congestion and ALC bottlenecks.
What’s next
To address these challenges, we must strengthen home care today or risk overwhelming long-term care systems, caregiver burnout, and rising healthcare costs tomorrow. At Tochtech Technologies, we are being proactive – partnering with organizations to create a service-forward model that empowers seniors to age in place while supporting their caregivers. By combining Vericare, our innovative remote care platform, with in-person services, we are addressing the challenges of tomorrow, today.
We invite you to be part of this transformation. To learn more about Vericare or discover how you and your organization can play a role in shaping the future of senior care, please connect with us at [email protected].
