About Us:
SPCS is a non-profit, volunteer based Seniors' health care advocacy group located in Greater Trail, The West Kootenays, British Columbia CANADA. Our mission is to advocate and pursue options for adequate, affordable, accessible and safe continuing care resources and services for seniors within their immediate communities. We will accomplish this by advocating, communicating, disseminating information and educating.
For those not familiar with the history of SPCS’s grass roots beginnings, it was conceived out of what is now known as The Albo Case. Borne from a February 2006 tragedy that involved founding member Jim Albo trying to cope with the aftermath of what he refers to as “IHA’s procedural nightmare.” Both his parents were patients in the Trail hospital at the time, when, suddenly, and contrary to the family’s wishes, his mother was transferred to a long-term care facility in Grand Forks. Two days later she passed away and his father died just 10 days following that.
Since then, every February, a vigil is held by Jim and his loyal group of SPCS supporters, to underscore not only the anniversary of the somber events, but the need for such things as more local long term beds and the development of a reality-based BC health care system that integrates all of a senior’s health care needs throughout his or her continuum of care.
Perhaps regarded by some as a “grass roots watchdog group” it is generally conceded by many that it is really yet another sad commentary on the efficacy of our BC health care system vis à vis our seniors, that SPCS even needs to exist at all, let alone grow and develop six long years after the Albo Case. Everyone connected with SPCS seems to be driven by the same mandate first voiced by Jim Albo: To keep meeting, attending vigils and giving their time, energy and expertise to SPCS “until there are changes for the better.”
For those not familiar with the history of SPCS’s grass roots beginnings, it was conceived out of what is now known as The Albo Case. Borne from a February 2006 tragedy that involved founding member Jim Albo trying to cope with the aftermath of what he refers to as “IHA’s procedural nightmare.” Both his parents were patients in the Trail hospital at the time, when, suddenly, and contrary to the family’s wishes, his mother was transferred to a long-term care facility in Grand Forks. Two days later she passed away and his father died just 10 days following that.
Since then, every February, a vigil is held by Jim and his loyal group of SPCS supporters, to underscore not only the anniversary of the somber events, but the need for such things as more local long term beds and the development of a reality-based BC health care system that integrates all of a senior’s health care needs throughout his or her continuum of care.
Perhaps regarded by some as a “grass roots watchdog group” it is generally conceded by many that it is really yet another sad commentary on the efficacy of our BC health care system vis à vis our seniors, that SPCS even needs to exist at all, let alone grow and develop six long years after the Albo Case. Everyone connected with SPCS seems to be driven by the same mandate first voiced by Jim Albo: To keep meeting, attending vigils and giving their time, energy and expertise to SPCS “until there are changes for the better.”
Society for Protection and Care of Seniors
Activities in 2021
Covid 19 continued to affect our group - we were unable to have any General Meetings for our membership, although we did stay in touch through phone calls, emails and even held some executive meetings following Covid precautions. Despite this, members of our group stayed active and provided all advocacy services that we could manage.
These included:
If you are in need of help or information, contact can be made by emailing [email protected] or reaching out to any of the executive board.
Activities in 2021
Covid 19 continued to affect our group - we were unable to have any General Meetings for our membership, although we did stay in touch through phone calls, emails and even held some executive meetings following Covid precautions. Despite this, members of our group stayed active and provided all advocacy services that we could manage.
These included:
- Advocacy
- Provided assistance and information to Laburnum Manor residents during elevator failure/repair
- Provided assistance with Canada Pension Disability Pension and Canada Disability Tax Benefits
- Provide assistance with home care/support and placement
- Assistance with information for Palliative Care Visits
- Grief Support through Greater Trail Hospice Society – held in person when required, with Covid precautions in place. There are child & adult programs.
- Sharing information and updates through emails and our website.
- Providing details regarding Patient Quality Care Complaints/Compliments and assistance in submitting reports.
- Provided updates on Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital construction. In 2021 and currently, engaged in discussing follow-up changes to the area.
- 1 of our members is a Volunteer Navigator with the Greater Trail Hospice Volunteer Nav Care program which provides guidance and support to individuals with complex chronic conditions, navigate community resources and appropriate support services and agencies as they face challenges in the progression of their medical conditions and all other accompanying issues related to spiritual, emotional, financial and psychosocial needs.
- One of our members is a Volunteer Facilitator for Seniors Health and Wellness Institute (COSCO) workshops – presented through Zoom. In person presentations began again in early winter.
- Two representatives have joined the Patient Family CentredCentred Care (PFCC) committee spearheaded by Ruth Kohut, Director of KBRH
If you are in need of help or information, contact can be made by emailing [email protected] or reaching out to any of the executive board.
Society for Protection and Care of Seniors Posted Mar 19, 2021
Activities in 2020
Covid 19 did affect our group – we were unable to have all our executive meetings, although we were able to be in contact through some outdoor meetings, phone conversations and a few in-person meetings held in a location that allowed social distancing. Despite this, members of our group stayed active and provided all advocacy services that we could manage.
These included:
If you are in need of help or information, contact can be made by emailing [email protected] or reaching out to any of the executive board.
Activities in 2020
Covid 19 did affect our group – we were unable to have all our executive meetings, although we were able to be in contact through some outdoor meetings, phone conversations and a few in-person meetings held in a location that allowed social distancing. Despite this, members of our group stayed active and provided all advocacy services that we could manage.
These included:
- Grief Support through Greater Trail Hospice Society – actually held in person when required, with Covid precautions in place.
- Assistance with information for Palliative Care Visits
- Follow-up on Home Support Cap loss – more to come on this topic!
- Sharing information and updates through our website
- Details such as health tips, online exercises, community information and Covid-19 updates
- Providing details regarding Patient Quality Care Complaints/Compliments and assistance in writing these.
- Provided updates on Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital construction – particularly regarding access to the hospital.
- Held our Annual Vigil on Lost Services in February, 2020.
- 2 Volunteer Navigators with the Greater Trail Hospice Volunteer Nav Care program which provides guidance and support to individuals with complex chronic conditions, navigate community resources and appropriate support services and agencies as they face challenges in the progression of their medical conditions and all other accompanying issues related to spiritual, emotional, financial and psychosocial needs.
- Provided information for Medical Travel aid (Hope Air)
- Provided assistance with Canada Pension Disability Pension and Canada Disability Tax Benefits
- A Volunteer Facilitator for Seniors Health and Wellness Institute (Cosco) workshops – now being presented through Zoom.
If you are in need of help or information, contact can be made by emailing [email protected] or reaching out to any of the executive board.