Navigating the Alberta Health Care System for Dementia Paul Thibault 3 October 2017 Last updated 12 May 2021 © Paul Thibault 2017-2021 This document may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the author. To Carol as we travelled our path together Preface and […]
Senior Homes fall in different categories depending on the level of care required by the resident and on whether the room and care are partly subsidized by the Alberta government or totally paid by the resident. Government-subsidized Categories Some of the Alberta Health Acts and Regulations are specifically aimed at providing a framework for various […]
Alberta Accommodations The Alberta Health Accommodation Search website can be used to obtain information concerning specific Alberta senior home accommodations. A list of facilities in a specific city is available on the website by entering the name of the city in the search box. This search tool also gives access to the facility’s accommodations audit […]
The purpose of Alberta Home Care is to keep the person with dementia in his or her home for as long as possible before being transferred to a Supportive Living or Long-term Care facility. The Co-ordinated Home Care Program Regulation provides information on the various aspects of the program including the services rendered, requirements for […]
This post outlines some of the Alberta subsidies and Federal tax credits. It should be noted that some of these may be income-based and subject to eligibility criteria indicated on the government websites. Alberta Health Benefits and Subsidies Alberta Health Benefits In addition to regular services provided free-of-charge by AHS, Alberta Health provides the following: […]
Where to Start Complaints should first be presented to the local management of a facility or Home Care office before using the provincial complaint mechanisms. Local Level At the local level, the publicly funded Home Care office, along with DSL and LTC facilities, must follow Section 18 of the Continuing Care Health Service Standards. This […]
The Interdisciplinary Team is key to the health care provided directly or subsidized by Alberta Health Services (AHS). This includes Alberta Home Care and “Designated” AHS-subsidized Supportive Living and Long-term Care facilities. The caregiver that acts as the legal representative for the person with dementia is an important member of this team and can therefore […]
The final section of the “Where do we go from here?” document on this website provides the following recommendations related to Transparency and Advocacy. These are offered to improve the information available to caregivers and to facilitate their involvement in the health care provided to people with dementia in Alberta. Transparency For the sake of transparency, it […]
Non-profit organization resources include those provided by the Alzheimer Society of Canada and various national, provincial and city groups. Some Supportive Living and Long-term Care facilities are operated by charitable organizations. Alzheimer Society of Canada The Alzheimer Society of Canada is the main non-profit charitable organization providing assistance to people with dementia and their family and […]
City of Medicine Hat resources include services and information provided through the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and the city’s Seniors Services department. The following are of particular interest: Senior Services Day Hospital Meals on Wheels Introduction to Seniors Housing or Lodging in Medicine Hat document, which describes general housing options as well as a list […]
Since health issues fall under provincial jurisdiction, the federal government does not offer direct dementia-related care services. Canadian government resources include those provided through federal-provincial transfers, dementia-related legislation, disability tax credits, as well as health-related information through Health Canada. Canadian Parliament The most relevant information on dementia relates to Bill C-233: National Strategy for Alzheimer’s […]
Alberta government resources for dementia include those provided by: Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services, Health Quality Council of Alberta, Alberta Seniors and Housing, Alberta Community and Social Services, Alberta Ombudsman and the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General. Alberta Health Alberta Health is the Ministry of Health for Alberta. Although it contracts out much of its activities to other organizations […]
Canadian and Albertan dementia strategies were announced in 2017. 1. Canadian Strategy The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology released its report “Dementia in Canada: A National Strategy for Dementia-friendly Communities” in November 2016. The report provides 29 wide-ranging recommendations to address this urgent issue. Since the release of the Senate report, […]
Some AHS Policies & Procedures and Guides are available to the public on its website. The following are the most relevant and discussed in the Where do we go from here? document. Continuing Care Continuing Care Designated Supportive Living Living Options Guidelines Accessing Continuing Care Access to Designated Living Option in Continuing Care (see AHS Policies, […]
Importance of Knowing Regulations Alberta Health writes legislative documents such as the Alberta Health Acts and Regulations, Health Standards, Ministerial Orders, Orders in Council and Directives. Those most relevant to people with dementia are listed below. These documents are not only important in terms of their regulatory details but are also essential to the understanding of […]
Where do we go from here? Navigating the Alberta Health Care System for Dementia Useful Website Links 1. Government 1.1 Canada 1.1.1 Health Canada 1.1.1.1 Main Link Health Canada 1.1.1.2 Services Information (see Health Canada top menu) Dementia Friends Canada 1.1.2 Senate of Canada Dementia in Canada: A National Strategy for Dementia-friendly Communities 1.1.3 Canada […]