Continuing care transformation

Overview

In 2023, the government invested a historic $1 billion over 3 years to begin transforming the continuing care system. Our focus to invest and strengthen the continuing care system will allow Albertans to access world-class care when and where they need it.

The Continuing Care Transformation initiative will address 4 pillars:

Shifting to more care in the community

By shifting to community-based care, we will:

• ensure Albertans can age well at home, with the supports they need
• improve supports for caregivers to empower caregivers and promote their well-being
• improve access to home and community care for rural Albertans
• provide non-medical supports for home and community care clients, such as housekeeping, social visits and transportation assistance
• increase home and community options for Albertans to access palliative and end-of-life care

Enhancing workforce capacity

We are working to support Alberta’s workforce by:

• implementing the Health Workforce Strategy to address the immediate challenges facing the workforce and service delivery, which will help Alberta’s Health Care Workers
• increasing mental health and wellness supports for continuing care staff
• adding more Health care aide bursary programs and other educational supports to help our future workforce
• improving culturally appropriate care for Indigenous peoples by supporting their access to Health Care Aide training

Increasing choice and innovation

We are giving Albertan’s more choice by:

• increasing continuing care spaces and modernize aging continuing care homes in Alberta through capital grant funding
• introducing new and innovative models of care including small care homes and client-directed care
• improving equity across communities through increased access to service and supports

Improving quality

We are improving the quality of care provided to Albertans by:

• increasing the hours of care provided to residents of continuing care homes
• improving quality of life and quality of care provided in the continuing care system
• enhancing pandemic and outbreak preparedness

Legislation

Continuing Care Act

News

• More career education for students (April 9, 2024)
• The right care when and where Albertans need it (March 14, 2024)
• Improving continuing care spaces for Albertans (April 25, 2023)
• Better continuing care for Indigenous people (March 16, 2023)
• Securing Alberta’s continuing care future (March 3, 2023)
• Bursaries to assist health-care aides (September 27, 2022)
• Adding 1 million hours of home care for Albertans (June 2, 2022)
• Taking steps to transform continuing care: Bill 11 - Continuing Care Act (March 28, 2022)
• Improving quality of life for continuing care residents: Facility-Based Continuing Care Review (May 31, 2021)