Assisted living services provide housing, hospitality, and personal care services for adults who can live independently and make decisions on their behalf but require a supportive environment due to physical and functional health challenges.

What to expect

Units can vary from one room to private, self-contained apartments. Assisted living services include:

  • a private housing unit with a lockable door,
  • personal care services that may include assistance with tasks like bathing, grooming, dressing and mobility or tasks delegated by a health care professional,
  • two nutritious meals per day, one of which is the main meal,
  • access to basic activity programs such as games, music and crafts,
  • weekly housekeeping,
  • laundering of towels and linen,
  • access to laundry equipment for personal laundry,
  • heating or cooling as necessary to maintain the safety and basic comfort level of the residence,
  • and a 24-hour emergency response system.

Download the assisted living information sheet for a complete list of locations. 

Getting started

Home and community care services have general eligibility criteria based on citizenship, residency, age and health condition, and specific criteria for each service based on your assessed needs. You can contact the home and community care access line to arrange for care or have a health-care professional make a referral on your behalf.

Learn more about how to access assisted living

Frequently asked questions

  • Is assisted living care right for me?

    Assisted living is for seniors and people living with physical disabilities. A person needs to meet the following criteria to be eligible for assisted living:

    • Can live in the residence safely, given their needs and capabilities.
    • Is able to make decisions on their own or lives with a spouse who can do so on their behalf.
    • Is able to take steps to protect themselves or follow directions in an emergency.
    • Does not have behaviours that jeopardize the health and safety of others.
    • Does not require unscheduled professional health services on a regular basis.
    • Is able to live semi-independently and requires support for both hospitality and personal care services. 
  • Is there a cost for assisted living?

    Subsidized assisted living

    • Individual tenants pay 70% of their after-tax income with a set minimum and maximum amount, which covers rent, hospitality services and personal care.
    • Couples living together pay 70% of their combined after-tax income.
    • Clients on income assistance and disability benefits pay a pre-determined, set rate.

    You may be required to pay other fees for services not covered in the monthly rate based on your personal choices, including telephone, cable, hydro, household and toiletry supplies, medications, personal care supplies and insurance costs. Some facilities also require a damage deposit upon move-in. You will be told about all fees before you move in. You make these payments to the assisted living operator each month, along with a small BC Hydro surcharge.

    The maximum monthly rate for publicly subsidized assisted living services is based on the market rent for housing and hospitality services for the geographic area where you live and the actual cost of personal care services you receive. More information on the maximum monthly rate will be given during the assessment process.

    If you receive support and/or shelter allowance under the Employment and Assistance Act or the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act, you will pay a fixed monthly rate for your assisted living services.

    Learn more by reading our Assisted Living Handbook.

    Private non-subsidized assisted living

    There are also privately operated, non-subsidized assisted living sites where we have no involvement in the funding or access process. You can also look in the phone book under Retirement Communities and Homes.

Share your feedback

Assisted Living Registry issues registrations to residences and regulates operators to protect and promote the health and safety of residents in assisted living. VCH welcomes you to share your feedback by contacting the Assisted Living Registry. 

Phone: 1 (866) 714-3378
Fax: (250) 953-0496
Email: hlth.assistedlivingregistry@gov.bc.ca

Learn more on the gov.bc.ca

Resources

Find this service near you

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  • Assisted Living at Austin Harris Residence

    5411 Moncton Street Richmond
  • Assisted Living at Cedar Garden

    1250 Cedar Village Close North Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at Cedars Hopehill

    3355 East 5th Avenue Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at Christenson Village

    585 Shaw Road Gibsons
  • Assisted Living at Churchill House

    150 West 29th Street North Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at Clarendon Court

    6404 Clarendon Street Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at Cooper Place

    306 East Cordova Street Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at Courtyard Gardens

    7051 Moffatt Road Richmond
  • Assisted Living at Harmony House

    580 Shanghai Alley Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at Haro Park Centre

    1233 Haro Street Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at Icelandic Harbour

    2020 Harrison Drive Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at Kiwanis Garden Manor

    4923 Kiwanis Avenue Powell River
  • Assisted Living at Kiwanis Manor

    959 21st Street West Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at Millennium Tower

    1175 Broughton Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at Shannon Falls Retirement Residence

    38225 3rd Avenue Squamish
  • Assisted Living at Southview Heights

    7252 Kerr Street Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at St. Vincent's Heather Honoria Conway-Heather

    4875 Heather Street Vancouver
  • Assisted Living at Weinberg Residence

    5650 Osler Street Vancouver