New partnership brings more services to seniors

WHITECOURT – Increased care services for seniors will allow them to stay in their home community as a result of a new partnership between Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Lac Ste. Anne Foundation. The partnership will introduce 24-hour care into Whitecourt’s Spruce View Lodge and Onoway’s Chateau Lac Ste. Anne Lodge.

“With extra services to help our local seniors they will be able to stay more comfortably within familiar surroundings,” said George VanderBurg, MLA Whitecourt-Ste. Anne. “This partnership helps fulfill the Premier’s vision of providing choice to seniors so that they can stay in their home communities.”

Basic health services will be provided by Health Care Aides (HCAs) under the supervision of a nursing health professional. HCAs may assist lodge residents with bathing, dressing, grooming, bathroom needs, or moving from place to place. They will also provide physical and emotional support so clients can be as independent as possible wherever they live in their community.

“Seniors enjoy a better quality of life when they are in familiar surroundings,” said Wendy Harrison, Executive Director Seniors Health North Zone, AHS. “Increasing care in a senior’s home environment rather than asking them to move allows them to age in place and maintains their independence, and in many cases, their spirit.”

The Lac Ste. Anne Foundation will hire additional staff to provide this level of care to between 15 and 20 seniors in the two communities. AHS will continue to work with the Foundation, its staff and families to ensure residents are receiving appropriate levels of care. New care options may also be made available in the communities this fall.

“The partnership will result in a high quality of care for clients as both the foundation and AHS will be working together to ensure their needs are met,” said Helen Braun, Chief Administrative Officer with Lac Ste. Anne Foundation. “We’re pleased to be able to expand our range of services to provide care to more seniors in our community.”

“Addressing seniors accommodation needs is a priority for Alberta Health Services and it is valuable partnerships like this one with the Lac Ste. Anne Foundation that will help us meet the growing need to increase living options for seniors and those with other special needs in our communities, said Shelly Pusch, North Zone Vice-President, AHS.

Alberta’s continuing care system provides support to over 100,000 Albertans on an annual basis. This announcement is part of an overall strategy to increase access to care choices for seniors and to add more than 3,000 continuing care beds across the province over the next three years. 

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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