Dan Levitt Hosts Coffee Socials for Seniors in Surrey

B.C. Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt is set to engage with the community during two Coffee Social events in Surrey on January 26, 2024. The first gathering will take place at Guildford Recreation Centre from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a second session at Newton Seniors Centre beginning at 1:00 p.m. These informal meetings aim to foster connection among seniors and provide a platform for sharing experiences and discussing available resources.

According to a post on surrey.ca, there will be no formal presentations at these events. Instead, Levitt encourages a friendly exchange where seniors can comfortably interact with each other and learn about the support systems in place for them in British Columbia. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for community engagement and dialogue.

Background on Dan Levitt and His Role

Levitt was appointed as B.C. Seniors Advocate by Health Minister Adrian Dix in January 2024, becoming the second person to hold this position. Dix praised Levitt’s extensive experience, noting, “Dan Levitt has championed the rights of seniors for 30 years and with his extensive experience he is an excellent choice for B.C.’s seniors advocate.”

The Office of the Seniors Advocate operates independently within the provincial government. It is tasked with monitoring seniors’ services and making recommendations aimed at addressing systemic issues that affect older adults and their caregivers. Levitt’s past roles include serving as the CEO at KinVillage in Delta, where he focused on creating a “dementia-friendly future” for seniors. Prior to that, he spent over a decade as the executive director at Tabor Village, a seniors living community in Abbotsford.

Levitt has also contributed to improving care standards across Canada as a surveyor with Accreditation Canada, where he assessed quality improvement in long-term care homes and community-based services.

Focus on Seniors’ Needs

Taking over from Isobel Mackenzie, who retired in 2024, Levitt aims to advocate for seniors’ rights and ensure they have access to necessary supports. “My goal is for every senior, their families and their caregivers to be able to exercise their agency to access the supports and services they need,” he stated after his appointment.

Levitt holds an undergraduate degree from the University of British Columbia and a master’s degree from the University of North Texas, specializing in aging studies. His board memberships include the Denominational Health Association and the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia.

In his role, Levitt has identified affordability as a critical issue for seniors in the province. He noted that 80 percent of seniors in British Columbia own their homes, compared to 70 percent of the general population. Many seniors desire to age in place but face rising costs associated with homeownership, including taxes, maintenance, and insurance. Levitt highlighted that nearly 49 percent of low-income senior homeowners struggle to afford essential repairs for safety and accessibility.

To address these challenges, Levitt encourages eligible seniors to consider deferring their property taxes, advising that the best time to apply is after receiving their property tax bill and before the due date. His advocacy and outreach efforts aim to empower seniors and ensure they have the necessary resources to thrive in their communities.