 Mental Health Week returns May 4–10. This year's theme, Come Together, Canada aims to strengthen mental health, build healthier communities, help more people feel connected and to show the power of open and honest conversations. Province-wide, older adult mental health programs provide consultation, assessments, psychiatric treatments and support to people 65 years and older who are experiencing late life onset of mental health symptoms. Some symptoms may include memory decline, the onset of Alzheimer or dementia, confusion, depression, anxiety, or other mental health symptoms that affect a person’s ability to cope with daily living activities.
Mental Health Associations across B.C. encourage people to increase connection, reduce stigma, and create a safer, more supportive society for people to share how they’re really doing.
Seniors First BC is a charitable, non-profit society that provides information, legal advocacy, and support to older adults across BC with issues affecting their well-being. Our services are delivered through our Seniors Abuse and Information Line, Victim Services, Elder Law Clinic, Advance Planning Clinics, Legal Advocacy Program, and Public Education and Outreach Program. Our Upcoming Learning EventsIntroduction to Seniors First BC – Host: Newton Seniors Computer ClubDate/Time: Monday, May 11, 2026. 1:00–3:00 pm Location: 13775 70 Ave, Surrey Join us for this overview of Seniors First BC programs that provide information, legal advocacy and support with issues affecting seniors' well-being, such as elder abuse. Learn about common issues, and examples of how we support older adults. We'll also tour the Seniors First BC website for additional information and resources.  Indigenous Elders Health Service Expo (VACFS)Date/Time: Friday, May 15, 2026. 10:30 am–4:30 pm Location: Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 East Hastings Street, Vancouver Join us at VACFS, where Seniors First BC will have an information table. Drop by to say hello. For more details, email: recreation@vacfs.org  Government Benefits for Seniors in BC – Host: Marpole-Oakridge Community CentreDate/Time: Thursday, May 24, 2026. 10:00 am–12 noon Offered by our legal advocate, this presentation provides an informative overview of several federal and provincial government benefits for seniors, including Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Caregiver Tax Credit, Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER), Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (RAHA), and more. Free, but registration online is required. Telephone: 604-257-8180. 55+ Forum on Safety, Health & WellnessDate/Time: Saturday, May 30, 2026. 9:30 am–2:30 pm Location: Newton Seniors Centre, 13775 - 70 Avenue, Surrey Just ahead of Seniors Week (June 1–7, 2026), SFBC is pleased to be participating in the 55+ Forum on Safety, Health & Wellness hosted by the City of Surrey. FREE, but please register online.  Please check the Seniors First BC’s website Events Listing page for updates. BC Seniors Week offers several events locally so make sure to check your local websites for more information. April RecapSeniors First BC continues to deliver numerous presentations throughout the month of April, covering a range of topics, with an increased focus on Frauds & Scams.
Here are some highlights: Frauds & Scams (online presentation) – Host: Jewish Family Services In partnership with Jewish Family Services, delivered an online presentation on Frauds and Scams Prevention for their Thriving Seniors program. Kitsilano Neighbourhood House (Seniors Lunch 'n' Learn) In partnership with Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, Seniors First BC delivered a presentation on Frauds and Scams. Introduction to Seniors First BC – City of Surrey-Focus on Seniors series Seniors First BC was pleased to be part of Surrey's Age Friendly Strategy for Seniors, free informative online sessions offered to seniors, their families and caregivers. Click here for more information about City of Surrey-Focus on Seniors series. Advance Planning Tools. Host: Deer Lake United Church, Burnaby In partnership with the Deer Lake United Church, Seniors First BC provided an information presentation on Advance Planning. Our lawyer discussed Wills, Powers of Attorney, Representation Agreements and other advance planning tools, potential misuse of these tools and resources for further assistance.  Ryan Erwin (SFBC staff lawyer) discussing advance planning tools at Deer Lake United Church. UBC's Dialogue on Healthy Aging Series event, VanDusen Garden Seniors First BC hosted a resource table at this Healthy Aging Series event, presented by Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging (UBC) and Providence Health Care. 33rd SFU John K. Friesen Gerontology Conference, Vancouver Seniors First BC hosted an information resource table at the 33rd annual SFU John K. Friesen Conference. This year's theme was Climate Change in an Aging World. Climate change and population aging were two intersecting global trends that greatly impact the health and social experiences of older people, healthcare and community/social systems, governments, the private sector, and social justice. On the first day of the conference, a reception was held to celebrate renaming of the Gerontology Centre after Dr. Gloria Gutman. Gloria Gutman, former director and Chair of the Fundraising & Marketing Committee of the SFBC Board, developed the Gerontology Research Centre and the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University (SFU). She was the director of both from 1982-2005. She is currently a Research Associate and Professor Emeritus at SFU. Dr Gutman is the author and editor of 23 book, including Elder Abuse in the LGBTQ2SA+ community, published in by Springer in 2023 (Springer Nature), co-authored with Claire Robson, Jen Marchbank and Mekaela Prentice.  Dr Gloria Gutman at the official renaming to Gloria Gutman Gerontology Research Centre. The Centre has a mission to strengthen research capacity in aging, by promoting robust mutually supportive relationships with faculty and research hubs across SFU and beyond, including future provincial, national and international network development.
Gloria also received, earlier this year, an honorary degree from SFU.
Click here for more information about SFU John K. Friesen Conference.  Angelina Gordon (Public Guardian & Trustee) with Marie-Noel Campbell at the naming ceremony for the Gloria Gutnam Gerontology Research Centre. Frauds & Scams – Host: Senior Support North Vancouver Island, Campbell River Seniors First BC was thrilled to travel to North Vancouver Island to deliver a presentation on Frauds & Scams in Comox and Campbell River, in partnership with Senior Support North Vancouver Island. 55+ Health & Wellness EXPO in Comox, B.C. While in Comox, Seniors First BC also hosted an information resource table at the First Annual 55+ Health & Wellness EXPO Seniors Health & Wellness EXPO, with the theme of Community Connections-Empowered Living, organized by Senior Support North Vancouver Island. During the Expo, Linda Yauk (Public Education & Outreach) also presented frauds and scams prevention. Special thanks to Jennifer Poole (Senior Support Network North Vancouver Island) and Mary Catherine Williams (BC Community Response Networks).  Linda Yauk (SFBC) with Jennifer Poole (SSNVI) at 55+ Health & Wellness Expo in Comox Bonsor 55+ Health & Wellness Day Seniors First BC hosted an information resource table at the Bonsor 55+ Seniors Health & Wellness Day in Burnaby. Community Advocates Support Line (CASL) Seniors First BC hosted a workshop for Community Advocates Support Line (CASL). Marie-Noël Campbell, our Executive Director and Lawyer, led a workshop before 25 legal advocates from CASL to learn about Seniors First BC programs and services as well as when and how to make a referral. CASL provides mentorship for Law Foundation advocates and organizes monthly training sessions for legal advocates funded by the Law Foundation of BC. CASL is a program of Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS). Government Benefits for Older Adults in B.C. This presentation was given to the Orchid Club for Taiwanese Women on the North Shore. Seniors First BC’s Senior Legal Advocate, Nighat Afsar, provided a comprehensive overview of provincial government benefits to 30 attendees, which was interpreted into Mandarin by Xiaowei Li (SFBC Public Education & Outreach).  Xiaowei Li (left) providing Mandarin interpretation as Nighat Afsar discusses government benefits at the Orchid Club for Taiwanese Women. St. Augustine’s Anglican Church – Bryn’s Neighbourhood Table Every Thursday evening, St. Augustine’s in Marpole (Vancouver) hosts a community dinner where everyone is welcome to join for food and social connection. Seniors First BC attended one such evening last April to share information about our programs and services. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Dinner is served at 6. Everyone is welcome. The meal is free, but donations are accepted and appreciated whenever possible. April 19–25, 2026, was National Volunteer WeekVolunteers have always been at the heart of our organization. Their passion and commitment were instrumental in launching our work and continuing to drive elder abuse prevention efforts today. We warmly thank all past and present volunteers. As of today, we are fortunate to count thirty employees who staff our province-wide Seniors Abuse and Information Line, Education and Outreach Program, Victim Services and Legal program, but we still rely on volunteers to meet the increasing demand for learning events, facilitate foreign language interpretation at events, or witness legal documents. Contact UsOur province-wide confidential Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) is a safe place for older adults and those who care about them to talk to a professional intake worker about issues that affect their well-being, receive information, or learn about our programs. Call 604-437-1940 or Toll-Free at 1-866-437-1940 weekdays 8am to 8pm. Language interpretation is available. For individuals who cannot call SAIL due to disability or accessibility reasons, email us at info@seniorsfirstbc.ca or use the contact form on our website. |
