It was supposed to be a regular Tuesday morning when Theresa fell in her apartment.
She was in extreme pain and unable to move a muscle. It was early, and she hoped that within a few hours someone would hear her calls for help. Unfortunately, no one did. Eventually, she managed to crawl to the living room and call 911.
Theresa was 94 years young, living independently in a seniors’ apartment in Edmonton’s west end. At the time of her fall, she had been trying on a costume—one she was sure would win her first place at the upcoming Halloween party and parade.
After her surgery, I sat with Theresa and listened to her story. We shared a laugh, and I asked her what her goal was:
“To get back in time for the parade, of course”
Not surprisingly, Theresa was active and independent. Until a few years ago, she walked to Safeway and cooked meals in her one-bedroom apartment. More recently, she had started using Meals on Wheels and dining in the café. She told me that a neighbour occasionally brought her farm-fresh eggs—a special treat. On those weeks, she’d enjoy a boiled egg at home, but either way, she was always up and dressed by 8:30.
Over the next few months, Theresa moved between hospital units. She would improve for a time, then suffer setbacks—first pneumonia, then severe pain and weakness, eventually diagnosed as failure to thrive. She was never alone. One of her daughters moved from Montreal to be by her side, and a cavalry of grandchildren kept her company both virtually and in person.
Difficult decisions
The family faced difficult decisions about how to meet Theresa’s increasing care needs. Fortunately, she had a living will and personal directive. Theresa was thoughtful and organized—she left nothing to chance. Still, the dance between case managers and transition coordinators sometimes felt more like a rodeo, with Theresa being pushed out the gate before she was ready. This isn’t a critique of the people involved, but rather an eye-opening experience for Theresa and her family about the system.
Navigating Alberta’s continuing care system—whether through an AHS case manager or a private facility—presents unique challenges. Publicly funded care involves complex waitlists and limited options. While case managers assess needs and provide choices, final placement often depends on bed availability and resources.
More options
Private facilities offer more immediate access but come with higher costs and require direct applications. Each facility has its own eligibility criteria, and while some may offer enhanced services or amenities, quality can vary significantly.
Determining the most appropriate level of care and finding a facility that meets individual needs can be difficult. Many Albertans lack clear information about available services and how to access them. There’s a need for greater transparency and communication around costs, access pathways, and wait times.
While AHS case management offers publicly funded care, it often involves navigating complex systems and waitlists. Private facilities provide quicker access but at a higher cost. Understanding the specific challenges of each option is crucial for making informed decisions about continuing care in Alberta.