Continuing Care is made up of three main levels: Home Care, Designated Supportive Living and Long Term Care. To get started, you need a case manager.
Home Care: Most people want to stay in their own home for as long as possible. Home Care providers make regular visits to help you with personal hygiene and healthcare needs.
Designated Supportive Living: Provides accommodation, meals and some health supports yet still allow residents to live independently in a home environment. Supportive living can be in facilities or personal care homes. Care support is onsite if needed for any reason.
Long Term Care: Supports individuals with more complex health needs whose care cannot be safely provided in their own home, or in designated supportive living. Long term care facilities are sometimes called nursing homes.
Palliative or End-of-Life Care: Offered in any environment so Albertans can experience dignity and comfort in their final stages of life.
| Home Care | Designated Supportive Living | Long-Term Care | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Healthcare services to help people remain well, safe and independent in their home or congregate living setting (i.e. a lodge) for as long as possible | Provides a higher level of personal care supports onsite while promoting residents independence to “age in place” | Designed specifically for individuals with complex, unpredictable medical needs who require 24 hour onsite Registered Nurse assessment and/or treatment |
| Who is it for? | Anyone living in Alberta with a valid healthcare card can receive services, as long as their needs can be met safely in their place of residence | Individuals who have increased care needs and require access to 24 hour monitoring and support | Individuals who have highly complex and unpredictable health needs whose care cannot be safely provided in their own home or in designated supportive living |
| Who provides care? | Home care providers, the client and family/caregivers are all active partners of the care team | Health Care Aides are onsite 24-hours a day and scheduled professional care (nursing, rehabilitation therapy, etc.) is available depending on your needs | Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Health Care Aides, and other healthcare professionals depending on your needs |
For more information on continuing care levels of care, visit Continuing Care Services.
