Dan Levitt, adjunct professor of gerontology at Simon Fraser University (SFU) is the newly appointed B.C. Seniors’ Advocate. Levitt succeeds Isobel Mackenzie as the province’s second seniors’ advocate beginning in 2024.
Levitt has been in several leadership roles in relation to long-term care operations and is the current Chief Executive Officer of KinVillage, a non-profit long-term care home. Notably, Levitt has been an adjunct professor and instructor of gerontology at SFU since 2007. Through these roles, Levitt has provided insight into the many facets of senior care leadership.
With a deep passion for advocacy and elderly care, Levitt will play a crucial role in shaping seniors’ care in B.C. As systemic issues that affect seniors are amplified due to B.C.’s rapid population growth, Levitt will take the lead in addressing these issues, and improve the accessibility of care for older adults in this province.
Levitt says he’s “deeply honoured” to be appointed the province’s second seniors’ advocate, and thanked current advocate Isobel Mackenzie.
He said the demographic shift as the population ages means it’s important to start “rethinking aging” and no longer view it as something to fear but something to embrace.
Levitt says his first priority will be travelling the province to meet seniors in rural and urban centres to hear their concerns and produce reports on how to improve their lives.
Mackenzie said it’s “bittersweet” to be leaving the role, but she has “great confidence” in the team that chose Levitt as her successor.
