Short-Term & Respite Care in BC
6 resources listed
Sometimes care is only needed for a little while — after a hospital stay, when a caregiver needs to catch their breath, or during the move toward long-term care. In BC, short-term and respite care is coordinated through your regional health authority and Home & Community Care team.
Convalescent care (also called short-stay or transitional care) supports people recovering from surgery, a fall, or an illness who just aren't quite ready to be home yet. Respite care gives family caregivers a planned break, with the reassurance that their loved one is well looked after.
You'll usually need a referral from a health authority case manager to access these programs, and wait times vary by region.
Province-Wide Programs
BC Home & Community Care — Short Stay Program
BC Ministry of Health
Temporary residential care (up to 30 days) for seniors recovering from illness or injury, or to provide caregiver respite. Available in publicly funded care homes across BC.
Fraser Health
Fraser Health — Home Health Referral
Fraser Health Authority
Coordinates respite and short-stay placements in the Fraser region (Surrey, Burnaby, Langley, Abbotsford, and surrounding communities).
Vancouver Coastal Health
Vancouver Coastal Health — Respite Care
Vancouver Coastal Health
Offers planned respite stays and emergency respite for caregivers in the Vancouver, Richmond, North Shore, and Sea-to-Sky regions.
Vancouver Island Health
Island Health — Home & Community Care
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Coordinates respite and transitional care across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
Interior Health
Interior Health — Respite & Short Stay
Interior Health Authority
Provides short-term care beds throughout the Interior region including Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, and Penticton.
Northern Health
Northern Health — Home & Community Care
Northern Health Authority
Coordinates respite and transitional care for seniors in Prince George, Terrace, and northern BC communities.
Finally know what to do next.
Enter your city below to see local care options, cost estimates, and next steps for your family.
Free. No referral fees. No account needed. No email. No spam.
Just the help you need, right now.