BC Seniors Face Surgery Delays, Long-Term Care Shortages

0:00British Columbia seniors advocate Dan Levitt has released his annual report highlighting major delays and surgeries for older adults. Way times for hip replacements have jumped 72% over the last six years, while knee replacements are up 61%. Prostate surgeries have increased by 29%, and abdominal hernia procedures by 16%. This comes as the province's population age 65 and older has grown 66% in the past decade, with numbers projected to reach one. 0.5 million by 2036. Seniors are also struggling with severe shortages in long-term care and home support services. Right now, thousands of seniors are stuck in hospital beds that should be for acute care. In 2025, nearly 6,000 older patients occupy those beds for an average of 38 days each, straining the entire health system. The province has paused building seven new long-term care facilities due to budget issues, and Levitt calls for more surgeons, better worker, recruitment, and a coordinated plan

1:03across government ministries to address these gaps. Ministry officials pointed 3.5 billion dollars invested in care services over five years and promise ongoing improvements to META, rising demand as the population ages. From your city, powered by AI, this is Vancouver News Today.