May 21, 2024
HIGH LEVEL - Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Boreal Housing Foundation are set to introduce two levels of continuing care previously unavailable in the community.
Later this year, Mackenzie House will open High Level's first Type B Continuing Care Home (CCH) spaces (formally known as designated supportive living Level 4) and the first Type B Continuing Care Home - Secured Space beds (formally known as designated supportive living Level 4 dementia), enabling more residents to receive a higher level of care closer to home.
Boreal Housing Foundation operates Mackenzie House. AHS will be responsible for the care of the residents living in the Type B CCH and Type B CCH - Secured Space beds.
Twenty Type B - CCH spaces and eight Type B CCH - Secure Space beds are expected to be available this summer. Type B - CCH spaces are a home-like environment that provide 24-hour on-site scheduled and unscheduled professional and personal care and support, provided by licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and healthcare aides. Type B CCH - Secured Space beds are a home-like environment that provide 24-hour on-site scheduled and unscheduled professional and personal care and support, provided by LPNs and healthcare aides, in a secure space.
"The addition of these new spaces to our community marks a significant step towards enhancing the quality of life for those in need,' says Dan Williams, MLA for Peace River and Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.
'These additional spaces will support individuals through various stages of life, ensuring access to quality care and strengthening a sense of belonging within our community,' says Mary Mercredi, Chief Administrative Officer with the Boreal Housing Foundation.
Stacy Greening, Chief Zone Officer for AHS North Zone, says the introduction of these spaces will help ensure more residents are living in, and receiving care in, a space that best meets their needs. "These new spaces help to improve patient flow at the Northwest Health Centre, as some residents wait in acute care for continuing care spaces," Greening says. "Opening these new spaces will help make more acute care beds available for those who need them.'
Visit Continuing Care Services to learn more about continuing care or contact an AHS home care case manager at 1-855-371-4122 to discuss health needs and options.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
