Caring for Older Adults within Canada’s Healthcare System

In this episode the BetterLTC team works alongside Victoria Alcuaz, a Regional Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Frail Elderly Older Adult Network at Fraser Health Authority in Vancouver, BC. With a background in critical care and a passion for adult education, Victoria has turned her focus to long-term and older adult care, especially in the wake of COVID-19. She discusses the growing care gaps for older adults across emergency, ICU, and long-term care settings, and how ageism and outdated systems often render elderly patients invisible. Victoria explores how current models of care fall short, highlighting the need for community-driven, equitable, and whole-person approaches. Her work bridges hospital and community care, prioritizing patient safety and advocacy. Through her insights and field experience, we explore what it truly means to listen to the individuals at the heart of care and why Canada’s approach to older adult care needs urgent reform.