How to access continuing care

Overview

Anyone living in Alberta with a valid health care card can receive continuing care services based on an assessment of your unmet care needs.

New Albertans can access continuing care services if needed. However, you may be responsible for the cost of care you receive until you have met residency requirements and obtained a personal Alberta health care card.

• Apply for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to get your health care card.

What supports do you need?

There are many reasons someone might require continuing care services. If you think you or your loved one might need assistance, you can call Alberta Health Link at 811 to speak to a health professional. They can help you set up an assessment to see what kind of continuing care services would meet your or your loved one’s needs or direct you to other community resources or supports.

While some people may think they need long-term care, an assessment may find that home care or other community supports are a better fit for their needs. An Alberta Health Services (AHS) assessment will help determine what supports are best for you.

Get an assessment

To access home care, designated supportive living or long-term care, the first step is to contact AHS. Call Health Link at 811 to arrange for an assessment by an AHS health professional who will help identify your or your loved one’s unmet needs.

No referral is necessary. Anyone can call to arrange an assessment for a friend or loved one who is unable to call Health Link themselves.

Access supportive living

Access to designated supportive living spaces is managed by AHS. You must first receive an AHS assessment in order to access a designated supportive living space.

For any other licensed supportive living spaces, the operator of the accommodation determines the eligibility criteria for residents. It is up to each individual to find out if a specific accommodation will meet their needs and preferences.

Find out what type of accommodations and services are provided and the costs for the delivery of those services. Different accommodations may have different eligibility criteria for a number of reasons, for example, the physical layout of the building, and the kinds of staff they employ.

Examples of eligibility criteria for some supportive living accommodations:

• age (65 years or older)
• mobility (ability for certain types of mobility assistance equipment to be safely used)
• functional independence (the ability to manage activities of daily living such as dressing and bathing on your own)
• medical stability (not requiring more care and assistance than the operator can provide)
• non-smoking
• minimum income

Contact

Contact Continuing Care