Short answer: recreation teams in British Columbia long-term care homes and assisted living residences can order dementia activity supplies from CDS Boutique, a Canadian supplier founded in 1992 that specializes in recreation, sensory and therapeutic products for seniors. We carry over 900 products, accept institutional purchase orders and ship to every region of BC, with bilingual service and a dedicated contact for Western Canada.
What BC's Residential Care Regulation expects
In BC, long-term care homes are licensed under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and its Residential Care Regulation. Section 55 requires licensees to offer residents an ongoing, planned program of physical, social and recreational activities suited to their needs and care plans, and to provide, free of charge, enough supplies, materials and equipment for that program, readily accessible and safe to use. Section 34 also requires suitably equipped recreation areas in long-term care homes. In other words, activity supplies are not a nice extra: they are part of what your home must provide.
What to stock: a checklist by resident need
Sensory and comfort tools for residents living with dementia
Robotic pets offer comfort without the care a real animal needs: the Ragdoll Cat meows, purrs and responds to petting, and the Golden Retriever Dog has a soothing simulated heartbeat. For tactile and visual stimulation, try the Spiral gel pad or handheld sensory tubes. Browse Sensory Stimulation, Dolls and Plush Toys and Multisensory Room.
Active games for mixed abilities
Adapted bowling with a bowling backstop keeps games moving without staff chasing balls, and the Score 100 reversible target offers two tossing games on one washable mat. See Active Games and Active Living.
Trivia, music and reminiscence
Quiz games, English-language "finish the phrase" books and a steel tongue drum (no musical training needed) round out a weekly program. See Reminiscence Activities and Music and Instruments.
How ordering works for institutions
- Purchase orders are accepted. Your first order is paid in advance by cheque or credit card. Once your credit history is established, we invoice you with payment due within 30 days.
- Tax-exempt facilities: write your exemption number in bold on your purchase order.
- Returns: sealed products can be returned within 30 days with a return authorization number (a 10% handling fee applies). For hygiene reasons, dolls, plush toys, weighted products and robotic animals cannot be returned, so check the product details before ordering.
Full details are in our return policy.
Funding
Federal programs such as the New Horizons for Seniors Program can fund equipment that reduces isolation and supports engagement. Check each program's current criteria and dates before applying. Our grants and funding page lists current programs, and we can provide quotes and product descriptions for your application.
Frequently asked questions
Do you ship to Vancouver Island and Northern BC?
Yes. We ship anywhere in British Columbia by courier from our warehouse in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Does a BC long-term care home have to provide activity supplies?
Yes. Section 55 of BC's Residential Care Regulation requires licensees to provide enough supplies, materials and equipment for the activity program, free of charge to residents.
Can we order with a purchase order?
Yes. Your first order is prepaid by cheque or credit card, then we can invoice you with payment due within 30 days once your credit history is established.
Who do we contact in BC?
Sarah Diaz handles Western Canada facilities: sarah.diaz@cdsboutique.com, or call 1 888 907-6878.
Your contact for British Columbia: Sarah Diaz, sarah.diaz@cdsboutique.com, or call us toll-free at 1 888 907-6878. Service is available in English and French. You can also send us a quote request.
Sources
- Residential Care Regulation, B.C. Reg. 96/2009, sections 34 and 55, B.C. Laws
- Long-term care regulations: Community Care and Assisted Living Act and Residential Care Regulation, Government of British Columbia
- New Horizons for Seniors Program, Government of Canada
