There is good news for Albertans who would like to age at home.

Alberta’s government is providing $2.1 million to expand day-to-day in-home services for seniors across the province in collaboration with Healthy Aging Alberta.

 The expansion of services includes non-medical services to help with everyday tasks such as housekeeping, yard and snow removal, transportation to and from appointments, and meal delivery. Together with home care and other community services, this expansion will help address the increasing complexity of needs as Albertans age.

Home and community care is a key advocacy plank for the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), which has been urging governments to recognize that home care and community-based care solutions are critical to resolving the long-term care crisis.

The majority of CARP members (96%) tell us they want to age in place, and nearly a quarter have admitted to supplementing publicly funded home care with private alternatives.

A better funded and functioning home and community care system would enable Canadians to age at home with dignity and alleviate pressure on the long-term care system.

The Government says this expansion of home support services will help maintain seniors’ well-being, independence and safety in their homes and communities. Fifteen community organizations have received funding to help them expand their services. Six initial grants were awarded in July 2022 for projects that are now operating, and nine additional grants were awarded in June of this year.

CARP believes that anything that helps older Canadians stay in their own homes as long as they wish is good news.  Read more about CARP’s advocacy on home and community care.

 

Last updated October 16, 2023