Two key programs designed to financially assist lower income seniors can be accessed through the British Columbia government.

The Independent Living BC Program, or ILBC, subsidizes rents so that lower income seniors have access to assisted living options. The Choice in Supports for Independent Living, or CSIL (pronounced see-sill), provides funds directly to seniors for the purchase of home support services.

Independent Living BC Program
Under ILBC, seniors may now qualify to move into an assisted living residence and pay rent equal to 70 per cent of their after-tax income.
Assisted Living is a middle option between home support and residential or complex care. Up until recently, assisted living was out of reach financially for many lower-income seniors and their families.

ILBC is a partnership between the province (BC Housing), the federal government (CMHC), the regional health authorities, and the private and non-profit sectors. As a result of the Independent Living BC program, thousands of new apartments for low-income seniors are being built - new developments that will offer tenants an atmosphere that fosters community and friendships.

With this partnership, private operators build and manage the developments, BC Housing subsidizes the rent, and regional health authorities fund personal care services and some of the hospitality costs to help seniors with daily activities like bathing and medications.

To be eligible for subsidized assisted living through the Independent Living BC program, a person needs to:
• Require both personal care (e.g. assistance with meals, mobility, medication management, dressing, bathing) and hospitality services (e.g. laundry and housekeeping);
• Be able to participate in decisions about activities and needs, and be able to communicate these to others;
• Be capable of taking direction in an emergency and be able to use an emergency response system; and,
• Not exhibit behaviours that put the safety or well-being of others at risk.

Health authorities throughout the province are responsible for Independent Living BC resident selection and health authority case managers assess applicants to determine if assisted living is their best option.

For more information about the ILBC program, visit www.bchousing.org/programs/independent
A case manager will either come to your home, or interview you in a clinic setting. They will talk with you about your care needs and provide information about the services available. If you are considered a possible candidate for assisted living, the case manager will forward your completed paperwork to a priority access team that will review your application and confirm with your case manager if you are eligible or not. If eligible, you will be contacted when a suite becomes available.

You would pay about 70 per cent of your after-tax income for a suite, including all the services (meals, housekeeping, etc.). The subsidy is solely based on one’s income, not financial assets. The value of property, securities, vehicles, etc., unless income producing, are not considered part of your income.

Choice in Supports for Independent Living
Under the CSIL program, clients receiving funds to help them stay in their own homes, assume full responsibility for the management, co-ordination and financial accountability of the services they purchase, including recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling and supervising home support workers.

If the client is unable to direct their own services, a society (or client support group) can be set up, consisting of five people who have registered as a non-profit society for the purpose of managing support services on behalf of a CSIL client. Family members, friends, neighbours, an advocate, family physician or others may be members of the society. Directors of the society take on all the responsibilities of an employer.

In order to qualify for payment, family members should not be immediate family members that are a parent, child, or spouse. However, health authorities may grant an exception for an immediate family member under certain circumstances.

Application can be made through the Home & Community Care program where case managers will assess your situation and help with the application process. More information about this program can be found online at www.health.gov.bc.ca/hcc/csil.html

Other subsidy programs available include:
* BC Palliative Care Benefits Program
* Funding for home adaptations
* Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER)
* Property tax grants for seniors
* Aboriginal Housing Initiative
* Veterans Independence Program
* Aids to Independent Living program

Details on these programs are available through the provincial government. Information on all these programs has also been compiled by Senior Living in a book called To Move or Not To Move? This 132-page book can be ordered online at www.seniorlivingmag.com/bookstore Cost: $9.95 plus tax and S&H.

FEBRUARY 2012 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER ISLAND
FEBRUARY 2012 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND