Premier Jason Kenney during Wednesday morning's announcement (Government of Alberta on YouTube - YourAlberta)

By Justin Goulet

Budget 2021: Funding boost to result in creation of new continuing care spaces in Alberta

Mar 3, 2021 | 11:01 AM

CALGARY, AB – The Government of Alberta has laid out more details on funding for seniors living in continuing care centres that was included in last week’s budget.

In addition to an investment of more than $3.5 billion in continuing, community, and home care, Budget 2021 has also earmarked over $500 million in capital spending to create more continuing care spaces over the next three years.

“That’s a historic investment in building new facilities like this and helping to modernize some of the older continuing care and other seniors’ congregate facilities,” said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.

“This includes over $150-million over three years to upgrade and create new continuing care spaces in priority communities where the need is greatest – where there are the longest wait lists, for example.”

Kenney said seniors “built this province” and the Government of Alberta stands by them every step of the way through the COVID-19 pandemic and going forward.

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“With it [the funding], the government is continuing to work to improve seniors and support for seniors and other vulnerable Albertans. This includes a review of facility-based continuing care that will provide recommendations on workforce, funding, oversight and accountability,” added the Premier.

“On top of that, we are pursuing a streamlined legislative framework that will be developed for the continuing care system because right now, there’s multiple different laws that touch on the continuing care system, making it difficult for operators to interpret all of that. We’re going to simplify it, so that there’s a very clear legal framework for the operation of nursing homes.”

The province noted that the funding for supports and programming will:

• Develop effective caregiver supports to help Albertans in their home and community
• Continue to shift from hospital to community-based home and hospice care
• Support clients to stay in their homes by accessing client-directed funding options
• Help create new or upgraded continuing care spaces with community, non-profit and independent providers

“Expanding capacity in continuing care is a top priority. This funding will help upgrade existing spaces while also creating new ones,” said Minister of Health Tyler Shandro.

“We will work with our community, non-profit and independent providers to accomplish this. Alberta seniors and persons with disabilities deserve safe, quality care in their communities, with their friends and families nearby.”

Premier Kenney said funding by the province delivered so far to the health care system has gone on to support initiatives like the purchase of personal protective equipment, as well as enhanced cleaning and staffing at assisted living facilities.

He said the Government of Alberta will also be taking a look at a redesign of the home care system, in order to make it more easily accessible for clients.

“This will include expanding access to client-directed care options, to provide more choice and control to clients,” he explained.

“That’s really our central vision in the whole health care system, is that it must be patient-focused, not based on different interest groups or demands but rather, it’s got to always be about the patient.”

Kenney concluded by saying Alberta seniors deserve “the very best care possible”.

Wednesday morning’s announcement with Premier Kenney and Health Minister Shandro can be viewed below.