Alberta government outlines plan to free up hospital beds through continuing-care investments
The Alberta government has committed to moving people out of hospitals into continuing care faster.
The province's annual budget, introduced at the end of February, includes $1 billion over three years to transform the continuing care system.
An additional $650 million will be spent on creating or improving more than 1,600 spaces.
Premier Danielle Smith, Health Minister Adrianna LaGrange and Seniors Minister Jason Nixon told media on Thursday ministries are working together to come up with new and innovative ways to provide care.
"This includes funding for small homes which will be a home for four-to-14 individual residents and are designed to serve rural or remote communities or those with complex needs, or it could be continuing care homes that offer comprehensive in house services bringing together different types and levels of continuing care into one integrated community," LaGrange said.
When asked about how the new or improved 1,600 space addresses the need in the foreseeable future, Alberta Continuing Care Association chair Feisal Keshavjee told media on Thursday they've "got to start somewhere."
"When we look out over the next five or six years, I think we've estimated there is a need for about 10,000 spaces, but that's because Albertans are aging, and we've got to meet that need," said Keshavjee who joined the premier and the two ministers for the media conference at the legislature.
LaGrange said the number of Albertans over age 65 is expected to increase from one-in-seven to one-in-five in the next 20 years.
Nixon said the need for continuing-care spaces impelled the involvement of multiple ministries to address it.
"I don't think it's the (health) minister's position or the government's position that we're going to be able to build all of those units that we need," Nixon said.
"We need to build as many as we can, but there are other solutions that could help deal with some of those 10,000 spaces that may not be the traditional continuing care facility that you've seen in the past that are lodge facilities, and that you will see to be tackled through some of the smaller facilities that the (health) minister spoke about ... but further to that, bigger investments inside home care, and then overlap with some of the community care initiatives that we do."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates: 'Extremely dangerous' Hurricane Milton brings high winds, destructive waves
U.S. forecasters are warning of destructive waves, devastating winds and flash floods through the week as Hurricane Milton makes its way from the Yucatan Peninsula toward Florida.
'Extremely disappointed': Family of homicide victim storms out of courtroom as judge reads decision
Emotions boiled over after a judge acquitted two out of three defendants in a manslaughter case, while the third accused has since died.
Baby Boomers are living longer than previous generations but have worse health, study finds
Baby Boomers may be expected to live longer than their predecessors, but a recent study has found that they are more likely to suffer from worse health than previous generations.
Is it safe to buy from Temu and Shein? Here's what Canada says it's doing to try to protect consumers
As U.S. regulators push for an investigation into what they call 'deadly baby and toddler products' from foreign e-commerce sites, health officials in Canada say they haven't determined whether any laws or regulations have been broken.
'They are just ruthless': Toronto senior loses $27,000 to roofing scam
A Toronto senior says she can’t believe that two roofers took advantage of her, despite knowing she was recently widowed and suffering from a painful disability.
Is Disney World still open as Hurricane Milton strengthens to a Category 5?
Despite Hurricane Milton evolving into a Category 5 storm, Walt Disney World Resort remains open to the public and will operate as normal. However, the park announced a few closures in an abundance of caution.
B.C. couple offers Taylor Swift tickets to anyone who can find their missing dog
A B.C. couple is getting desperate – and creative – in their search for their missing dog.
Elevator mechanic mistakes artwork for trash, throws it out
An elevator mechanic mistakenly threw out a piece of artwork, made to look like empty beer cans, assuming it was litter, a Dutch museum revealed earlier this month.
Kathy Bates shocked she forgot this moment in her 1991 Oscars speech
For years, Kathy Bates has believed she missed thanking someone pivotal during her acceptance speech after she won the Oscar for best actress in 1991 for her performance in 'Misery.'