Debt Resources for Seniors in BC

ActNow BC:
This is billed as the most comprehensive health promotion program of its kind in North America.
It encourages seniors to be more physically active and make healthy eating choices in order to maintain and improve their health.
The Website is: www.ActNowBC.ca

Healthy Eating for Seniors:
A handbook which contains information about healthy eating for seniors and focuses on what foods, meals and supplements to pay attention to. It also provides advice on ways to eat less fat and salt, how to read nutritional labels and how to maintain a healthy body weight.

It is free of charge within B.C. You can order it by phoning 250-952-1742 (if in Victoria area) or 1-800-465-4911 (toll-free if from elsewhere in B.C.).
Or you can get a version online at www.actnowbc.ca/EN/seniors/healthy_eating_for_seniors .

Annual Active Aging Symposium:
A provincial event which promotes active aging.
The Website is: www.bcactiveaging.ca .

Peer Health Promotion:
The provincial government supports the Council of Senior Citizens Organizations of BC (COSCO) in delivering a province-wide health promotion initiative, Staying Healthy and Safe, aimed at improving older people’s health through peer-led education workshops on falls prevention, nutrition, safe use of medication, elder abuse awareness, care-giving and other topics.
The Website is: www.coscobc.ca .

Falls Prevention Information:
Information on how to prevent falls can be found by calling your local public health unit or by visiting the Website.
The Website is: www.injuryresarch.bc.ca .

Personal Supports Information Line:
This is a link to various provincial government programs which may provide equipment and assistive devices.
The toll-free number: 1-888-818-1211
Deaf/Hearing-impaired toll-free number: 1-800-661-8773
E-mail: PersonalSupportsInormation@gov.bc.ca

Age-Friendly Communities:
British Columbia’s boast is being the most age-friendly jurisdiction in Canada, enabling older people to age actively by:

• Recognizing the wide range of capacities and resources among older persons.
• Anticipating and responding flexibly to aging-related needs and preferences.
• Respecting decisions and lifestyle choices.
• Protecting those who are most vulnerable.
• Promoting inclusion and contribution in all areas of community life.

The Website is: www.health.gov.bc.ca/seniors/initiatives/age_freindly.html

B.C. Healthy Communities Initiative:
This initiative helps to strengthen the capacity of British Columbian communities and enhance individual and collective health, well-being and development by promoting and supporting the Healthy Communities approach.
The Website is: www.bchealthycommunities.ca/Content/Home.asp

Provincial Age-Friendly Leadership Network:
This network engages leaders from a wide range of diverse sectors and perspectives in developing age-friendly communities in British Columbia. These leaders come from business, financial and professional organizations, the Aboriginal community, various service and community and seniors’ organizations. They influence change and support the creation of age-friendly communities.
The Website is: www.seniorsincommunities.ca/leadership_network.php

Seniors in Communities Website:
This website provides resources for communities and includes newsletters, a directory of best practices and community stories and age-friendly planning guidelines.
The Website is: www.seniorsincommunities.ca

Volunteering:
This website encourages seniors and retirees to volunteer their many useful skills and their wealth of experience.
Local Volunteer Centres in each community provide information about volunteer local opportunities.
Volunteer B.C. promotes the development and value of volunteerism. If you need assistance in connecting with your local volunteer centre, contact Volunteer B.C.
The Website is: www.volunteerbc.bc.ca and the E-mail is volbc@vcn.bc.ca .
VolWeb.ca increases access to volunteer opportunities and celebrates the spirit of volunteerism across British Columbia. It connects volunteers with organizations that need special event volunteers. Volunteer times range from one hour to one weekend – you decide.
The Website is: www.volweb.ca .

Post-Secondary Tuition:
Some of British Columbia’s post-secondary institutions offer reduced or free tuition to seniors. Contact information for post-secondary institutions is available from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development website.
The Website is: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/institutions/welcome.htm .

English Language Training:
New immigrants and refugees may qualify for beginner-level ESL courses through the English Language Services for Adults program.
The Website is: www.elsanet.org/index.html .

Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Seniors:
Residents of British Columbia 65 years old and over can buy hunting and fishing licences at a reduced rate.
The Website (for hunting licences) is: www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/regulations/ .
The Website (for fishing licences) is: www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/ .
More information about hunting and fishing licences may be obtained at any Service BC Centre or by calling Service BC:
The toll-free number: 1-800-663-7867
In Greater Victoria the number is: 250-387-6121
In Greater Vancouver the number is: 604-660-2421
Deaf/Hearing-impaired toll-free number: 1-800-661-8773
Deaf/Hearing-impaired in Vancouver: 604-775-0303

Campsite Fee Discounts:
British Columbia seniors receive a discount on campsite fees during the season (from the day after Labour Day to the following June 14th). The discount does not apply to group camping, group picnicking, backcountry, marine or day-use fees.
The Website is: www.env.gov.bc.ca.bcparks/fees/fees.html#seniors .
More information is available by calling Service BC: 
The toll-free number: 1-800-663-7867
In Greater Victoria the number is: 250-387-6121
In Greater Vancouver the number is: 604-660-2421
Deaf/Hearing-impaired toll-free number: 1-800-661-8773
Deaf/Hearing-impaired in Vancouver: 604-775-0303

Royal B.C. Museum:
Seniors pay reduced admission fees at Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria, both individually and as a pre-booked group.
The toll-free number: 1-888-447-7977
In Greater Victoria the number is: 250-356-7226
The Website is: www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
E-mail: reception@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca .
The Royal B.C. Museum welcomes seniors interested in volunteering. Those interested in volunteering their services can contact the Royal B.C. Museum, Volunteer Services.
In Victoria the number is: 250-387-7902
E-mail: gmiller@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
Address: Royal B.C. Museum, 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, B.C. V8W 9W2

B.C. Seniors Games:
This is an annual four-day promoting active participation in sport and recreation for B.C. seniors 55 years of age and older. A registration fee is required. Competitors must be members of the B.C. Seniors Games Society:
In Victoria the number is: 250-385-3610
The Website is www.bcseniorsgames.org
E-mail: bcsgs@shaw.ca .

Boomer-Friendly Boot Camps and Get Strong for Life Camps:
These provide opportunities for seniors to learn new skills in a fun and adventurous, yet non-threatening, environment. More information can be found by checking your local recreation centres, activity centres, parks or shopping malls, and to find out more or to register in boot camps, contact your local recreation centre.
The Website (for boot camps) is: www.bcrpa.bc.ca/BoomerFriendlyBootCamps.htm .
The Website for contact information for your local recreation centre is: www.activecommunities.bc.ca .