What You'll Need — And Where to Get It
Whether your loved one is staying at home, moving into care, or coming home from hospital, here's a practical guide to the equipment and services that make life easier.
Key Facts
- The BC HAFI (Home Adaptations for Independence) program subsidizes home modifications for eligible lower-income seniors.
- PharmaCare Fair PharmaCare provides drug coverage for BC residents — most seniors qualify for significant coverage.
- Medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds) can be purchased, rented, or covered through ADP or Red Cross.
- The Better at Home program can help with light tasks while you gather equipment and set up your home.
- Most home safety modifications (grab bars, ramps, raised toilet seats) can be done in a day by a licensed contractor.
Mobility Equipment
Walkers, wheelchairs, rollators, scooters, and transfer aids — these are the tools that keep your loved one safe and independent. You don't always have to buy them.
Buy vs. Rent vs. Borrow:
- Borrow (free): The Canadian Red Cross health equipment loan program offers short-term loans of wheelchairs, walkers, and bath aids at no cost.
- Rent (low-cost): Nonprofit organizations like Mount Newton Society in the Victoria area rent walkers, wheelchairs, and bath aids at below-market rates.
- Buy: Private medical supply retailers carry new equipment. Check if your pharmacist can order what you need — many do.
BC PharmaCare coverage: Some mobility equipment is covered under BC PharmaCare for eligible residents. You'll need a prescription or authorization from your doctor. Ask your pharmacist about coverage before purchasing.
If cost is a concern:
Start with the Red Cross loan program or a nonprofit rental. Many communities also have equipment recycling programs through hospitals, churches, and community centres. Ask your Health Authority case manager — they often know about local options that aren't widely advertised.
Equipment Providers in BC
Adaptive Comfort Clothing
Burnaby, BC
Adaptive Comfort Clothing provides medical equipment in Burnaby, BC.
ALS Society of BC
Victoria, BC
ALS Society of BC provides medical equipment in British Columbia, BC.
BC Prosthetic & Orthotic Services
Kelowna, BC
Kelowna prosthetic and orthotic services provider for mobility and foot care needs
Home Safety & Modifications
Small changes to a home can prevent falls and help your loved one stay independent longer. Some modifications are simple DIY projects; others need a contractor.
Common modifications and approximate costs:
- Grab bars (bathroom): $30–$80 each, plus installation. DIY-friendly if anchored into studs.
- Bath seat or transfer bench: $40–$150. No installation needed.
- Raised toilet seat: $30–$80. Installs in minutes.
- Non-slip mats and strips: $10–$30. Easy to apply.
- Bed rails: $50–$150. Check with an occupational therapist first to ensure they're appropriate.
- Stair lift: $3,000–$8,000 installed. Requires professional installation.
- Wheelchair ramp: $1,000–$5,000 depending on length and material.
HAFI Grant — up to $20,000:
The BC Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) program provides grants for eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities. Covers wheelchair ramps, grab bars, walk-in showers, stair lifts, and widened doorways. You must own and live in the home to qualify.
Home & Community Care assessments: Your Health Authority can send an occupational therapist to assess your home and recommend specific modifications. Call 8-1-1 to get started.
Equipment & Modification Providers
Adaptive Comfort Clothing
Burnaby, BC
Adaptive Comfort Clothing provides medical equipment in Burnaby, BC.
ALS Society of BC
Victoria, BC
ALS Society of BC provides medical equipment in British Columbia, BC.
BC Prosthetic & Orthotic Services
Kelowna, BC
Kelowna prosthetic and orthotic services provider for mobility and foot care needs
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Hospital Bed & Nursing Supplies
If your loved one needs a hospital bed at home, pressure-relief mattress, incontinence supplies, or wound care products, there are several ways to access them.
How to access equipment:
- Through your Health Authority: If your loved one receives publicly funded home care, some equipment (including hospital beds and pressure-relief mattresses) may be provided at no cost. Ask your case manager.
- Renting a hospital bed: Private medical supply companies rent hospital beds starting around $150–$300/month. Delivery and setup are typically included.
- Incontinence supplies: Available at pharmacies, medical supply stores, and through subscription delivery services. Buying in bulk or setting up auto-delivery can save 20–30%.
- Wound care supplies: Your home care nurse or pharmacist can help source the right products. Some are covered by PharmaCare.
Moving & Downsizing
Moving a parent or loved one into a care home — or downsizing to a smaller space — is more than logistics. It's one of the most emotional things a family goes through.
Tips for a smoother transition:
- Start with personal items: Family photos, a favourite blanket, the chair they always sit in. These are what make a new space feel like home.
- Don't do it all at once: Sorting a lifetime of belongings takes time. Give yourself and your loved one permission to go slowly.
- Senior-specialist movers: Companies that specialize in senior moves handle everything — packing, moving, unpacking, and setting up the new room. They work at a gentler pace and understand the emotional weight.
- Downsizing consultants: Help sort what to keep, donate, sell, or store. Some also coordinate estate sales and donation pickup.
Senior Moving Companies in BC
Elder Moving
Courtenay, BC
Elder Moving specializes exclusively in senior moving and relocation services in the Comox Valley and surrounding communities, providing planning, packing, moving coordination, and full home setup
Genie Senior Services Vancouver Island
Victoria, BC
Vancouver Island senior moving service offering bonded, prompt downsizing and relocation assistance
Gorilla Moves
Abbotsford, BC
Fraser Valley senior moving service offering full-service packing, transportation, unpacking, setup, downsizing support, donation coordination, and assisted-living or care-home moves across Abbotsford, Langley, Chilliwack, Mission, and Maple Ridge
Pharmacy & Delivery
Managing medications for a senior can be stressful, especially when there are multiple prescriptions. The good news: your pharmacist can make this much easier than you think.
Services most families don't know about:
- Free pharmacy delivery: Many BC pharmacies deliver medications to your door at no charge. This is especially helpful for seniors who don't drive or live in rural areas.
- Blister packing: Your pharmacist can organize all medications into daily dose packs, sorted by time of day. This dramatically reduces missed doses and medication errors. Just ask your pharmacy to set it up.
- Medication review: Pharmacists in BC can do a full medication review to check for interactions, side effects, and whether any medications can be simplified. This service is often covered by your provincial health plan.
Transportation
Getting to medical appointments, social activities, or even the grocery store can be a challenge for seniors who no longer drive. BC has several options.
Transportation options:
- HandyDART: Door-to-door shared transit for people who can't use regular public transit. Available in most BC communities. Register through your local transit authority.
- Volunteer driver programs: Community organizations across BC offer volunteer drivers for medical appointments and errands. Often free or by donation.
- BC Cancer & specialized medical transport: For cancer treatment and other specialized appointments, dedicated transport programs may be available through your Health Authority.
- Travel Assistance Program (TAP): Provides discounted bus, ferry, and air travel for BC residents who need to travel for medical care not available in their community.
Transportation Services in BC
Burnaby Seniors Services - Transportation Program
Burnaby, BC
Transportation provides senior transport in Burnaby, BC.
Community Response Networks - Adult Abuse and Neglect
Prince George, BC
Community Response Networks - Adult Abuse and Neglect provides senior transport in Prince George, BC.
HandyDART Campbell River
Campbell River, BC
Accessible door-to-door shared transit service operated by BC Transit for people with permanent or temporary disabilities who cannot use fixed-route transit.
Financial Help
Equipment and services add up. These programs can help offset the costs.
- BC PharmaCare: Covers eligible medical equipment and supplies based on your plan. Ask your pharmacist or doctor.
- HAFI grants: Up to $20,000 for home modifications for eligible low-income homeowners.
- Disability Tax Credit (DTC): A federal tax credit that reduces income tax for people with significant impairments. Can be claimed retroactively.
- Medical Expense Tax Credit: Many equipment and modification costs qualify as eligible medical expenses on your tax return.
- Veterans Affairs Canada: Veterans may be eligible for equipment, home modifications, and other support. Contact Veterans Affairs directly.
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