Links of Interest

50Plus.com - www.50plus.com

This is the website of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons ("CARP"). A great portal-style site for browsing when you don't have a particular research need. Be fore-warned, though: this site is driven by commercial interests, primarily in the travel, health and financial sectors, who partner with the non-profit sponsor and all have a message they want to get to anyone 55 and over. It's a busy, flashy site that favours the younger retired crowd of "freedom 55" types. The "free newsletter" service is a way to invite the commercial partners to e-mail you their messages each week. The Health division has a wealth of articles. You're bound to find something that makes you say: "I always wanted to know more about this….".

Abbeyfield Houses Society of Canada - www.abbeyfield.ca

Abbeyfield is a Canadian non-profit organization that provides affordable congregate housing for seniors in which a group of seven to ten residents live like a large "family". House ownership and care support is undertaken by community volunteers, often with help from service clubs and churches.

BC Retirement Communities Association - www.bcrca.ca

Formed with the purpose of changing the way people view aging in our society, BCRCA represents market-driven retirement communities that reflect the evolving needs and desires of seniors.

British Columbia Housing Management Commission - www.bchousing.org

BC Housing is a crown agency that delivers the provincial government’s social housing programs, or affordable housing programs, as they are more commonly known. This website gives details on who is eligible and how to apply, as well as a list of housing providers.

British Columbia Ministry of Health Services - www.gov.bc.ca/healthservices/

This site provides the latest news within the Ministry of Health Services and a list of programs and services, including a Surgical Wait List Registry. Also has a Seniors Guide.

Canada Post - www.canadapost.com

Look up postal codes, find a postal outlet or track packages.

Canadian Diabetes Association - www.diabetes.ca

Provides information on the Canadian Diabetes Association, about diabetes, and programs and services available in Canada for people with diabetes.

Canada Pension Plan - www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/isp/common/cpptoc_e.shtml

Benefit and payment information.

Family Services of Greater Vancouver - www.fsgv.ca

A not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening people, families and communities. They provide a diverse range of professional support and counselling services to those who are experiencing challenges in their lives.

Generations on Line - www.generationsonline.org/canada

Generations on Line is a self tutorial onscreen for seniors so they can use the Internet even if they have no prior computer experience.  They have simplified the Internet for seniors, with step by step instructions and simpler processes for a multilingual search (powered by Alta Vista) and simple email, as well as links to other sites and an intergenerational chat.  Generations on Line is a software educational program made free to seniors through libraries, senior centers, nursing homes, and retirement centers throughout the US and launching in Canada October 2003.

Health Canada Division of Aging and Seniors - www.hc-sc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/

There's not a lot of content here, but do look at the articles on fall prevention, and the updates on the demographic statistics of Canada's seniors population. Then check out the most comprehensive alphabetical listing of seniors-oriented websites we've found yet.

Homeowner Protection Office - www.hpo.bc.ca

The HPO is a British Columbia crown corporation. It is responsible for:

• residential builder licensing and establishing the framework for and monitoring the provision of mandatory third-party home warranty insurance
• administering a no-interest repair loan program and PST Relief Grant for owners of leaky homes, and

• a research and education function designed to benefit the residential construction industry and consumers.

National Earthquake Hazards Program: Western Canada - www.pgc.nrcan.gc.ca/seismo/table.htm

Provides information on recent earthquakes in Western Canada, as well as large historic earthquakes and earthquake preparedness.

Peace of Mind - http://members.shaw.ca/bcseniors

Resources for people coping with long term care issues in B.C.'s lower mainland.

Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia - www.trustee.bc.ca

This site is worth every senior and their supporting children spending an hour or so to review. Here are brochures and summaries of virtually all of the provincial statutes, regulations and authorities that govern adult guardianship, personal representation, health care directives and wills and estates in BC. Want to know why an Enduring Power of Attorney has only limited effectiveness? What happens if a senior loses decision-making ability and her doctor needs a decision? This is you best resource, for starters.

Seniors Housing Information Program - www.seniorshousing.bc.ca

SHIP provides information on housing and services for seniors wishing to or living in the lower mainland of British Columbia.

Strata Property Act Information Site - www.fic.gov.bc.ca/strata/index.htm

This site was created by the BC Superintendent of Real Estate's office. It permits strata owners and councils to more fully understand the specific requirements of the Act, and the owners' and councils' rights and obligations.

Urban Development Institute -www.udi.bc.ca

The Urban Development Institute is a national non-profit association (with international affiliations) of the development industry and related professions. 

Vancouver CommunityNet - www.vcn.bc.ca/

The website of the newly re-organized Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. Find out how the regional health administration views their population groups, organizes their programs and plans to deal with the new budgetary reality. There's a nice guide to low or no-cost alternative health providers in Vancouver.