Availability of Designated Assisted Living Care in Local Communities
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Government of Alberta to facilitate the development of more Designated Assisted Living Care accommodations in Alberta communities, reducing the demand for long term beds and providing the right level of care in the right place for many people.
WHEREAS Alberta’s demographics are changing, underlying the economic and social importance of responding to the health and housing needs of an aging population;
WHEREAS many studies and reports in Alberta during the last several years acknowledge that the availability of appropriate care in local communities is strongly correlated with the health and quality of life for seniors and persons with disabilities;
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta’s Continuing Care Strategy/Aging in the Right Place puts forward a government vision of seniors’ care that includes ....a society where all Albertans can achieve quality living, supported by relatives, friends and community networks’;
WHEREAS under this same continuing care strategy the Government of Alberta has stated that the current number of long term care beds of 14,500 will remain the same for the next several years; and
WHEREAS many frail seniors and persons with disabilities are required to remain in acute care hospital beds or to leave their home communities to find appropriate care.
Jun 16, 2010 - Seniors and Community Supports
Affordable supportive living projects funded through the various capital initiatives are developed to offer varying levels of care as defined by the Supportive Living Framework. Proponents work in conjunction with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to meet the needs of the communities in which the projects are built, and contract with AHS for funding of operational costs for health-related support services.
Seniors and Community Supports has been leading the development of an Aging Population Framework which will provide an overall context for how the government will work with other governments, the private and non-profit sectors, communities, families and individuals to meet the needs of seniors in effective and sustainable ways.
Aug 16, 2010 - Alberta Health and Wellness
The Government of Alberta announced a $105 million investment from Capital Bonds and the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative to address priority continuing care needs around the province. More than 1,000 new and upgraded spaces are being added to Alberta’s continuing care system this year to address the needs of an aging population. In total, 3000 spaces will be added over the next three years.
AUMA does not accept this response and will continue to advocate for the implementation of designated assisted living care accommodations.