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The provincial policy of privatizing home and community care services for seniors has resulted in less access for people in need, says a new report released today.

Between 2001 and 2016, the closure of 40 care facilities operated by either health authorities or non-profit organizations has resulted in a drop in residential care beds of 11 per cent. During the same period, the for-profit sector increased 42 per cent, according to the report.

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“This is a very vulnerable sector with very vulnerable people,” said Andrew Longhurst, the report’s author.

“This direction of turning to the market and to for-profit corporations to deliver care is not in the best interests of seniors or the health care system.”

The report is called Privatization & Declining Access to BC Seniors’ Care by the B.C. office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

According to Longhurst, the type of ownership of residential care facilities makes a difference to the quality of life of seniors. He said residential care in a for-profit care facility is “generally inferior” to the kind of care delivered in public or non-profit home.