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==Addressing Systemic Concerns: BC Seniors Advocate==

The BC Seniors Advocate was appointed in March 2014 and is the first position of its kind in Canada. The Advocate has a broad mandate to identify and examine systemic issues affecting the well-being of seniors, raise awareness about resources available to seniors, and make recommendations to government and others who deliver seniors’ services related to health care, personal care, housing, transportation and income support.  The Seniors Advocate  does not investigate individual complaints. The position is governed by the Seniors Advocate Act. ([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|44]])
  
The Seniors Advocate is responsible for:

:(a) monitoring the provision of seniors' services,
:(b) analyzing issues believed to be important to the welfare of seniors generally, and
:(c) advocating in the interests of seniors. ([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|45]])

The Advocate has authority to:

:(a) identify and analyze systemic challenges faced by seniors;
:(b) collaborate with persons who deliver seniors' services for the purpose of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery;
:(c) promote awareness, by seniors, their caregivers and their families, of systemic challenges faced by seniors, and of the resources available to seniors;
:(d) make recommendations to government and to persons who deliver seniors' services respecting changes to improve the welfare of seniors. ([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|46]])

The Seniors Advocate’s power to gather information is largely in relation to developing an advisory council, conducting research and consulting with persons who deliver seniors' services and with the public.  The Seniors Advocate may request available data from provincial bodies such as the health authorities on matters that relate to seniors' services.  The Seniors Advocate may also request information from public and private sector service providers, other than personal information.  In  January 2016, the Seniors Advocate released the first provincial report monitoring key services to seniors in health care, housing, transportation, income support and abuse. ([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|47]])

The Seniors Advocate Act provides a notable safeguard for residents in care facilities, their families and advocates in that the law specifically offers a protection from retaliation for people who provide information to the Seniors Advocate. ([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|48]])However the Seniors Advocate Act does not identify penalties or repercussions if a person or organization contravened the protections from retaliation.

 Like the BC Ombudsperson, the Seniors Advocate is limited by law to making recommendations to government, which public bodies may or may not act on.