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The province’s seniors advocate is still looking for volunteers to carry out an extensive survey of the 27,000 seniors living in care facilities across B.C.

“This is the first time in this province that we have had volunteers sit face-to-face with some of our most vulnerable seniors on such a large scale,” Isobel Mackenzie said.

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A common sentiment expressed by seniors interviewed so far is gratefulness at having their voices heard, said Norma Sorensen, manager at Mount Tolmie Care Home in Victoria.

“A resident came to me and explained how a person had come to her and asked her questions for a long time,” Sorensen said. “The resident recounted how they just sat together and the person listened to her and she was just thrilled.

“As a manager, I felt sad that being listened to was such a novelty for the resident.”

The survey encompasses the province’s 303 residential care facilities and is conducted in person by volunteers, who receive a one-day training session and are asked for a commitment of at least 30 hours.

Survey questions focus on such issues as privacy, food, safety, security, respect and responsiveness of staff.

A matching mail-out survey is sent to the residents’ most frequent visitor.