Alberta’s government is giving $11 million to seniors to help fight inflationary increases to accommodation costs for 2022-23.

This funding is in addition to almost $14 million already committed to provide financial relief for residents from July 1 to Oct. 31, 2022.  During this current period, government is fully subsidizing the 5.5 per cent increase. Without this extension of partial relief, residents would be hit with the full increase on Nov. 1.

“We recognize inflation is affecting everyone, especially residents and operators of continuing care. Operators are experiencing much higher costs this year due to the higher inflation rate and we are taking extra measures to support residents in publicly funded continuing care homes by subsidizing a portion of their accommodation costs for the year.”

Jason Copping, Minister of Health

As of Nov. 1, residents’ accommodation charges will only increase by 3.2 per cent, instead of this year’s rate of 5.5 per cent. Government will pay operators the remaining 2.3 per cent, on behalf of residents, from Nov. 1, 2022 until June 30, 2023.  

Quick facts

  • The government increases accommodation charges annually, as required under regulation.
  • Under the regulation, the maximum accommodation charge increased by 5.5 per cent as of July 1 by the change in the Alberta Consumer Price Index.
  • Maximum accommodation charges are set out in the Nursing Homes Operation Regulation under the Nursing Homes Act.
  • Annual increases are based on the percentage increase in the Alberta Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period ending on Feb. 28 of that same year.
  • Accommodation charges reflect the cost of providing such things as:
    • resident rooms
    • meals and meal service
    • laundering of towels and linens
    • housekeeping services
    • utilities
    • routine building maintenance
    • general administration
  • Low-income residents who qualify for the Alberta Seniors Benefit or the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program are protected from these changes because their benefits offset increases in annual charges.
  • The minimum monthly disposable income for Alberta Seniors Benefit clients in continuing care is among the highest in Canada.
  • Alberta has the second lowest maximum continuing care accommodation charge of Canada’s provinces, second only to Quebec.
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