Overview
Protecting vulnerable adults in care is our first priority.
The Protection for Persons in Care Act (PPC Act) requires the reporting of abuse, and promotes the prevention of abuse involving adult clients who receive publicly funded care or support services.
The PPC Act requires service providers to take reasonable steps to protect clients from abuse while providing care or support services.
Abuse under the PPC Act
The PPC Act defines abuse as an act or omission that:
- causes serious bodily harm
- causes serious emotional harm
- results in the administration, withholding, or prescribing of medication for an inappropriate purpose, resulting in serious bodily harm
- subjects an individual to non-consensual sexual contact, activity, or behaviour
- involves misappropriating, or improperly or illegally converting a significant amount of money or other valuable possessions
- results in failing to provide adequate nutrition, adequate medical attention, or another necessity of life without valid consent, resulting in serious bodily harm
The individual involved is any person who allegedly abused a client or who allegedly failed to prevent abuse of a client.
The client must have been receiving care or support services from a publicly funded service provider at the time the alleged abuse occurred.
Legislation
Protection for Persons in Care Act
- Protection for Persons in Care (Ministerial) Regulation
- Protection for Persons in Care Regulation
Supportive Living Accommodation Licensing Act
Service providers
Service providers under the PPC Act
Publicly funded service providers include:
- hospitals
- nursing homes
- group homes
- shelters
- lodges
- mental health facilities
- addictions treatment centres
- supportive living settings
- some of the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) funded care and support services settings
Service providers not included under the PPC Act
Service providers not included:
- home care in private homes
- family managed services under PDD
- family members not paid by government
- student housing
- doctor offices
- community clinics
Role of service providers
Service providers, their employees, and persons hired to provide services are responsible for keeping clients safe from abuse when providing care or support services.
They are required to:
- take reasonable steps to protect clients from abuse and maintain a reasonable level of safety for the client
- take all reasonable steps to provide for the immediate safety, security and well-being of all clients when notified that a report of abuse has been made
Learn more in A Guide to Understanding the Protection for Persons in Care Act
Documents and forms
Documents
User Guide to Understanding PPC Statistical Reports
PPC Poster – Safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse (PDF, 2.49 MB)
PPC Brochure – Safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse
Forms
Order PPC publications, form PPC3820 (PDF, 239 KB)
Abuse Report, form PPC3817 (PDF, 334 KB)
Application for Review of a Complaints Officer’s Decision, form PPC3819 (PDF, 247 KB)
Notice of Appeal, form PPC3818 (PDF, 151 KB)
Contact
Contact Protection for Persons in Care:
Office hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 1-888-357-9339 (in Alberta)
Phone: 780-422-1155
Fax: 780-415-8611
Email: health.ppc@gov.ab.ca
This is NOT an emergency number and is open only during office hours. You can leave a message at any time.
Address:
Protection for Persons in Care
Station M, Box 476
Edmonton, AB T5J 2K1