A group of Edmontonians, living in a south side co-operative assisted-living building, are angry and frustrated after learning subsidies from the province for their day-to-day care would not be renewed.
The 15 residents who rely on home care from Creekside Support Services learned that Alberta Health Services would not renew their contract.
After 16 years of receiving grants from the province, the change came as a shock to the tight-knit group – who received the news in a letter from AHS last Friday.
“You just feel betrayed really because it’s out of the blue, and it’s no explanation given,” Nic Good, who receives homecare from Creekside Support Services, said.
Good has been a quadriplegic since breaking his neck in a motorcycle accident in 2009.
After his accident, the then-27-year-old was faced with the choice between moving in with his parents and having their home renovated, and living in a long-term care facility – Good chose to take another route to live as independently as he could.
“I said no to both of those options, I wasn’t happy with it,” Good said. “I kind of dug my wheels in and didn’t move on it.”
He was offered a space at Creekside Support Services, where an accessible condo was available with 24-hour care, something that is a requirement for Good, he told CTV News he can’t get out of bed without assistance.
The unique operation was created and is operated by the residents, all of whom have disabilities – the co-operative does everything from hiring staff, to drawing up schedules for care – and depends on a $600,000 per year grant from the province.
Good says the program gives him as much independence as he can have.
“The best part is that we’re in control,” Good said. “We dictate our care exactly, we give feedback on the staff and how they work, and we come together once a month as a group and have meetings.
“It’s full control, which we have, which is just wonderful; it’s a unique setting here at Creekside.”
AHS said the number of homecare contractors in Edmonton is being reduced to less than a third of what used to be in place – from 32 to 10.
No one from AHS was available to comment directly on the changes, but AHS provided a statement saying:
“Alberta Health Services will be working very closely with individuals at Creekside and their caregivers throughout transfer of provider. Experienced homecare staff will continue to provide care.”
Meanwhile, Good is aware his level of care will drastically change.
“That’s a direct impact on my quality of life, and when you live this existence, that’s fundamental.”
In addition to the changes for Creekside, two other similar programs in Edmonton have also been denied contract renewals: Abby Road and Art Space.
A number of affected residents said they are contacting their MLAs and the office of the Minister of Health to fight the changes.
With files from Veronica Jubinville
