Bridge care while you wait

On the long-term care waitlist in BC?

The average wait for a publicly funded long-term care bed in BC is about 287 days. Many families need a bridge plan for home care, respite, meals, transport, safety, and caregiver support while the public process keeps moving.

See bridge-care options Use bridge-care finder

Start with the pressure point

Bridge Care Finder

See what bridge supports may fit while you wait.

Answer three questions. We will send you to the right service page with your city already filled in.

3 questions | Free | No referral fees | No account needed

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What is the hardest thing right now?

Looking for a long-term care home? See homes in your city →

Build the plan around what is hardest right now

A waitlist plan does not need to solve everything at once. It should reduce the biggest risks first, protect the caregiver, and keep the long-term care pathway open.

Help at home

Home care, live-in care, home help, meals, maintenance, and safety monitoring.

Respite and day programs

Short breaks for caregivers, adult day programs, volunteer visiting, and local support.

Costs and tradeoffs

Estimate what bridge care may cost and compare it with assisted living or private-pay care.

Long-term care homes

See long-term care homes by city while you keep the publicly funded process moving.

Four moves that help most families

These are practical next steps, not a replacement for advice from your health authority, doctor, or care team.

Step 1
Keep the public pathway active
Stay in touch with the health authority contact, report changes in care needs, and ask what would change priority or timing.
Step 2
Cover the hours that matter most
Start with the hardest times of day: bathing, meals, medication reminders, overnight safety, or caregiver breaks.
Step 3
Make home safer
Look at fall risks, medical equipment, home maintenance, emergency response, transport, and meal support.
Step 4
Review the plan often
Needs can change quickly while waiting. Recheck the plan when there is a fall, hospital visit, caregiver burnout, or a cost change.

You might also find helpful

BC's Long-term Care at Home program

See who may qualify, how home monitoring works, and what to arrange alongside it.

What to do while you wait

A plain-language guide to the first calls, documents, and support options.

Better at Home vs private home care

Understand the difference between subsidized practical help and private care.