Types of Care

Continuing Care

Alberta Continuing Care Act Effective April 1, 2024

References to continuing care (including home care, designated supportive living, long term care and hospice) may not reflect the updated language or terms found in the new Alberta Continuing Care Act effective April 1, 2024. Refer to the Continuing Care Glossary for definitions.

Through Site Directly | Through AHS Case Manager | Through Palliative and End-of-Life Care Team

Spaces Accessed Through

Site Directly

Spaces that are accessible through the site directly are licensed by the Government of Alberta and provide accommodation with a range of amenities and services depending on the site.

Examples include seniors lodges.


Access

These types of spaces are accessed directly through the site by contacting the operators.


Fees

In these sites, accommodation charges are set by the operator and vary from site to site.

You can receive an assessment for home and community care services at your supportive living accommodation if you have a valid Alberta Health Care insurance number (aka healthcare card). Home and community care services are provided by AHS or by care operators who are contracted by AHS to provide care with oversight from AHS.

Supportive living operators may also offer health and personal care services for a fee. Note that AHS does not provide oversight for services obtained directly from a site.


Types of Spaces

  • Supportive Living Accommodation
    Supportive Living provides rooms, suites, and support services geared to low-income adults over 65 years old to stay independent. Seniors lodges are one type of supportive living accommodation.

AHS Case Manager

Spaces accessed through an AHS Case Manager include Type AType B and Type B - Secure Spaces.


Access

Access is determined by AHS based on an individual's assessment. Care is provided by AHS or by care operators who are contracted with AHS to provide care with oversight from AHS.


Fees

The health and personal care services provided at these sites are paid by AHS, and residents are responsible for paying the accommodation charge.


Types of Spaces

  • Type A
    Continuing Care Homes Type A (formerly long-term care, including nursing homes and auxiliary hospitals) provide on-site health and personal care for the most complex needs by health care aides (HCAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs)
  • Type B
    Continuing Care Homes Type B (formerly designated supportive living) provide on-site health and personal care for more complex needs by health care aides (HCAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs)
  • Type B - Secure Spaces
    Continuing Care Homes Type B - Secure Spaces (formerly designated supportive living, dementia) provide on-site health and personal care with specialized dementia care in a secure environment.

Zone Palliative Teams

Spaces accessed through zone palliative and end-of-life care teams include Type C (hospice).


Access

Access is determined by zone-based palliative and end-of-life care teams based on an individual's assessment. Services are provided by a specialized interprofessional palliative care team.


Fees

Hospice care is a palliative care publicly funded program. There is no daily accommodation fee charged to the individual or family for hospice care. Some fees may include medication and oxygen.


Types of Spaces

  • Type C (hospice)
    Continuing Care Homes Type C (hospice) provide 24-hour on-site health and personal care by specialized healthcare professionals, support staff, and volunteers who work together.