Designated Supportive Living services are provided by Alberta Health Services and are available once you or your loved one have contacted and been assessed by a Case Manager.
For more information on privately run Supportive Living options, visit Alberta Health – Supportive Living Guide or speak with your healthcare team.
What is Designated Supportive Living 3 (DSL3)?
- Designated Supportive Living 3 is a setting that provides you with a home where you can enjoy privacy and independence with the comfort of knowing your health and personal care supports are on site when you need them
- Provides accommodation, meals, housekeeping, linen and recreational services
- Provides a higher level of personal care supports, compared to home care, onsite for scheduled and unscheduled care needs according to the plan of care
- Health care services are provided on a scheduled basis but can be accessed as needed
- Accommodation fees and amenities vary from location to location but typically cover rent, meals, housekeeping, linen and towels change, building amenities and recreation programming
- The individual provides or pays for room furnishings, medication, medical and surgical supplies for chronic wounds, personal medical equipment and incontinence products (cost may be shared with Alberta Aids to Daily Living depending on finances), cable, phone and internet, personal laundry, hair salon fees, toiletries, and outings
Who is DSL3 For?
- Individuals who are medically and physically stable
- Living with physical disability, mental health diagnoses, or mild dementia with no known risk of wandering, and who are not a risk to self or others
- Must be able to move independently or with the assistance of one other person
- Could be experiencing increased healthcare needs that cannot be scheduled
- Are able to use a call system to get help
Who Provides Care in DSL3?
- Health Care Aides are onsite 24 hours a day to provide support, personal care, and medication assistance
- Depending on the needs of the individual, scheduled professional care (nursing, rehabilitation therapy, etc) will be provided through Home Care and coordinated by your Case Manager
- Family and other informal caregivers are important members of your care team and are welcome to participate in the individual's care
What is Designated Supportive Living 4/4D (DSL4/4D)?
- DSL4 is a setting that provides you with a home where you can enjoy privacy and independence with the comfort of knowing your health and personal care supports are on site when you need them
- Provides accommodation, meals, housekeeping, linen and recreational services
- Provides a higher level of personal care supports and health care services onsite for scheduled and unscheduled care needs according to the plan of care
- DSL4D provides specialized dementia care
- Accommodation fees and amenities vary from location to location but typically cover rent, meals, housekeeping, linen and towels change, building amenities and some recreation programming
- The individual provides or pays for room furnishings, medication, medical and surgical supplies for chronic wounds, personal medical equipment and incontinence products (cost may be shared with Alberta Aids to Daily Living depending on finances), cable, phone and internet, personal laundry, hair salon fees, toiletries, and outings
Who is DSL4/4D for?
- Individuals who have more complex medical needs that are predictable and safely managed with onsite, professional nursing (LPN level) and the direction of the case manager
- May require chronic disease management
- May require the following types of assistance with daily activities:
- Complete meal assistance including tube feeds
- Mechanical lift transfers
- Two person transfers
- Medication assistance or administration
- DSL4D is for individuals with moderate to severe dementia, who may have a high risk of wandering and unpredictable behaviours but who are not a safety risk to themselves or others
Who Provides Care in DSL4/4D?
- Health Care Aides are onsite 24 hours a day to provide you with support and personal care
- Professional nursing care is available onsite by an LPN 24-hours a day
- Depending on your needs, scheduled professional care (nursing, rehabilitation therapy, etc) will be provided through AHS and coordinated by your Case Manager
- Your family and other informal caregivers are important members of your care team and are welcome to participate in your care
