Overview
In January 2021, we gathered feedback on Alberta’s facility-based continuing care system to help improve access and provide seniors and people with disabilities with the highest quality of care and services available.
- MNP LLP was contracted to complete the review and engaged residents, family members, providers, operators, non-government organizations, experts, and the public.
- Key areas for improvement were examined including quality of care, quality of life, resident choice, navigation and information, and workforce.
- Learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic were considered to strengthen facility outbreak protocols and control measures.
Input received
More than 7,000 Albertans shared their feedback through an online survey from January 4 to February 1, 2021.
MNP LLP also conducted over 90 virtual and telephone interviews and focus groups with residents, family members, continuing care staff, operators and providers, and other key community organizations.
Outcomes and next steps
Review findings are captured in the Facility-Based Continuing Care Review Final Report released on May 31, 2021.
The report identifies 42 recommendations that would transform and modernize Alberta's facility-based continuing care system. We will now work with community partners to develop an action plan to implement the recommendations and explore future legislative and funding requirements.
Most of this work will be completed over the coming months and years. However, several of the recommendations will be implemented immediately based on learnings from COVID-19 and input from Albertans. These initiatives include:
- providing direction to support couples and companions to remain living together in continuing care facilities, if they choose
- enhancing public reporting on continuing care inspections
- phasing out shared rooms in continuing care facilities, including an immediate halt on admissions to rooms where there are already two residents
- updating design guidelines for continuing care centres to include learnings from COVID-19 and targeting capital funding to support a greater variety of models for upcoming builds
- providing capital grant funding to support Indigenous groups for continuing care services in the communities where they live
- expanding community care and services options to enable more people to stay at home
News
- Improving quality of life for continuing care residents (May 31, 2021)