Big Changes in Alberta’s Continuing Care: What You Should Know
If you or someone you love is in continuing care—or might be someday—there’s some important changes to know about. On April 1, 2024 Alberta rolled out new standards and regulations that are meant to make continuing care safer, more consistent, and more focused on the people who live here.
What’s New?
Alberta introduced a new law called the Continuing Care Act, which basically rewrites the rulebook for how care is provided in places like nursing homes, supportive living facilities, and even in people’s homes. The goal? Better care, clearer rules, and more say for residents and families
Highlights
New Names, Same Places
The province has renamed some types of care settings:
- Type A: These are your traditional nursing homes and auxiliary hospitals.
- Type B: This is what used to be called designated supportive living.
- Type C: Publicly funded hospices.
The standards for these places have also been updated to reflect the new names and expectations.
- 🩺 Health Services: One Standard for All
Whether care is happening in a facility or at home, there’s now a single set of health service standards. That means everyone gets the same baseline level of care, no matter where they are. - 👥 Residents and Families Get a Bigger Voice
Previously, there was a separate law about resident and family councils. That’s been folded into the new standards, so now every care home has to support ways for residents and families to speak up—whether through councils or other feedback methods. - 🚨 Emergency Planning Gets Serious
Care providers now have to:
- Practice emergency plans regularly.
- Work with local agencies.
- Make sure residents and families know what to expect in a crisis.
This is a direct response to lessons learned during COVID-19.
What About Home Care?
If you or a loved one receives care at home, the new standards apply there too. Depending on who provides the care—Alberta Health Services, a contracted company, or even a family member—there are different rules and supports in place to make sure things run smoothly.
Can I See How a Facility Is Doing?
Yes! Inspection results are now publicly available. You can check out how a facility is performing at https://standardsandlicensing.alberta.ca. Operators also have to post their results and share them with residents and families if asked.
Final Thoughts
These changes are a big deal. They’re designed to make sure continuing care in Alberta is safe, respectful, and responsive to the needs of the people who rely on it. Whether you’re a resident, a family member, or just planning ahead, it’s worth taking a few minutes to learn what’s new.