Over the next four years, $400 million in operational funding will be allocated for new publicly funded continuing care beds. In total, more than 6,000 beds will be added or replaced to expand and upgrade Alberta’s publicly funded continuing care facilities.
Twenty-four communities were identified through a new and innovative procurement process that requires operators to pay for the capital cost of building new beds. This year, 343 beds will be added in Calgary, Edmonton, High Level, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Valleyview and Westlock. This is in addition to the 2,600 beds added in 26 communities in 2020.
“The previous government cancelled ASLI in their first year in office and clearly didn’t have a plan to add new beds to the system or replace dilapidated facilities with shared rooms that don’t allow for privacy. We’re fixing that by bringing back a new and improved version of ASLI that will take care of our seniors and provide the high-quality care they deserve.”
“Adding new beds to the system ensures that Albertans will be able to reside in a facility that provides them the right care at the right time, rather than at a hospital. This increases our acute care capacity and ensures that the health-care needs of all Albertans are met in an appropriate setting.”
“By investing in these continuing care projects in priority communities where support is most needed, the health and safety of our seniors and most vulnerable citizens can continue to be met for years to come. The ACCA looks forward to future announcements and continued collaboration with Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services on this and other important initiatives.”
“Our organization represents about 75 per cent of the seniors housing sector in Alberta – more than 40,000 seniors across the province in independent, supportive and designated supportive living spaces. This is an innovative and positive approach to add much-needed spaces and I am pleased our members are active in supporting this initiative. Our sector needs government’s support to ensure seniors can age successfully by optimizing the full continuum of housing by bringing the care supports at the right time in the right place.”
“The Seniors Housing Society of Alberta fosters and advocates for high-quality services and housing needs for seniors. I am pleased the government is moving forward with this creative way to expand continuing care capacity through existing seniors housing providers.”
“For more than 150 years, members of the Christian Health Association of Alberta have operated not-for-profit continuing care spaces across the province. Our mission has always focused on the most vulnerable and underserved populations in Alberta – to ensure residents’ quality of life needs are met in whichever setting and community they choose to receive care.”
Quick facts
- The Facility Based Continuing Care Review Report identified more than 8,000 beds in facilities that are over 50 years of age and no longer meet current design requirements for safe and modern care. Report recommendation 31 indicates the province should focus government capital investments on the regeneration or replacement of existing FBCC spaces, with some funding earmarked for the development of new spaces where needed.
- Acting on report recommendation 36, the phasing out of shared rooms in continuing care facilities began on July 1, including an immediate halt on admissions to rooms where there are already two residents.
- This year, 343 beds will be added in seven communities:
- Calgary: 190
- Edmonton: 13
- High Level: 25
- Medicine Hat: 31
- Red Deer: 10
- Valleyview: 15
- Westlock: 59
- Previously announced beds in 2020 in 26 communities:
- Airdrie: 148
- Bassano: 34
- Brooks: 14
- Calgary: 552
- Camrose: 40
- Canmore: 60
- Coleman: 44
- Drayton Valley: 74
- Drumheller: 26
- Edmonton: 859
- Fort McMurray: 67
- Fort Macleod: five
- Fort Saskatchewan: 122
- Grande Cache: four
- Hythe: 75
- Lethbridge: 102
- Manning: 18
- Medicine Hat: 114
- Oyen: 20
- Paddle Prairie: 12
- Ponoka: 30
- St. Paul: 12
- Red Deer: 150
- Spirit River: 52
- Valleyview: 15
- Whitecourt: 50