Backgrounders
Retirement Residences
Retirement residences provide accommodation, varying levels of care and supportive services in a residential setting for those who can no longer manage daily living with independence. Homes typically provide meals, social/recreational programs, 24 hour staffing, laundry and housekeeping services, supervision or administration of medications and often a degree of personal care and assistance with the activities of daily living. Rates are not subsidized and depend on the amount of services and type of accommodation.
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Independent/Supportive Living
Apartment-style accommodations with the availability of services such as meals, homemaking, 24 hour staffing and social/recreational activities. Tenure may be rental (sometimes adjusted depending upon a person's ability to pay), life-lease or some other form of ownership.
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Assisted Living
Assisted Living facilities area a special combination of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to meet the needs - both scheduled and unscheduled - of those seniors who need help with activities of daily living (ADL), such as bathing, dressing, eating and monitoring medications.
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Independent Living
Self-contained apartment-style accommodation geared to seniors who are able to live autonomously. In some cases, coordination of community-based supportive services provided through Home Care may be provided to residents. Tenure may be rental or some form of ownership such as condominium or life-lease. Independent Living Residences may be non-profit or for-profit; rental subsidies may be available for independent living options operated under the government’s Senior Citizen’s Self –Contained Program. Offered exlusively in Alberta.
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Supportive Housing
Supportive Housing (Levels 1 & 2) options are geared to seniors who require varying degrees of support and assistance, but who do not require the services of a long-term care centre. Accommodation may consist of self-contained apartment-style units, private bed-sitting rooms or shared options, and tenure may be rental or some form of ownership such as condominium or life-lease, on a non-profit or for-profit basis. Rental subsidies may be available for residences operated under the government’s Senior Citizen Lodge Program. Supportive Housing (Levels 1 & 2) typically provide 24 hour supervision and emergency response, meal services, housekeeping, transportation and social and recreational activities. Offered exclusively in Alberta.
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Long-Term Care Centres
Long-term care centres, also known as nursing homes and homes for the aged, are facilities for people who are not able to live independently in their own homes and who require a 24-hour nursing services. Eligibility for placement in a long-term care centre is based on care needs, determined and arranged for by Community Care Access Centres (CCACs). The resident pays for the accommodation, while care and programs are paid by the government.
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Home Health Care / Community Support Services
For people who need help to remain comfortably and safely at home. Services range from nursing care and specialized therapies, to non-medical services such as meal preparation and homemaking. Certain services may be eligible for funding through Community Care Access Centres.
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Alzheimer Care
Specialized care and supportive programs for persons with Alzheimer Disease or other forms of memory loss or cognitive impairment. Providers may include Retirement Residences or Long-Term Care Centres in a designated, secure section of the facility, as well as In-Home Health / Community Support Services.
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Hospice Care
Hospice Care may be provided in the home or in a facility setting. It aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for persons and/or families living with a terminal illness. Hospice Care may include pain or symptom control, and an array of emotional, spiritual and physical supportive services.
For more information or to arrange an interview with an expert from The Care Guide, media may call Derek Mercey at (416) 287-2273 ext. 223 or derek@thecareguide.com.
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