Your guide to senior living care options in Alberta
When it comes to researching assisted living or home care choices, there’s no better time to start becoming informed. You may never need care but getting on a no-obligation waitlist sooner than later can help bring peace of mind and let you stay in charge of your choices. To help, our guide to senior living care options in Alberta offers key information to clarify the type of care that’s ideal for you and your family.
What’s available in public and private senior care, and how does it help?
In this thorough guide, you’ll learn:
- Eight signs when you or your loved one may need more support, such as consistently forgetting to lock the door or becoming increasingly isolated
- The differences between government-subsidized long-term care, nursing homes and private retirement homes in Alberta
- Funding and regulation basics. Did you know that private care homes in Alberta must meet the same regulations as publicly funded facilities?
- The range of senior care options, from Independent Living and Supportive Living — known as Assisted Living at Amica — to Memory Care and end-of-life care
- The best option for seniors assessed by Alberta Health Services as being too frail to look after themselves due to complex medical conditions
- The reasons why Memory Care offers extra peace of mind for seniors with dementia, thanks to additional safety, personalized care, professional staff and engaging programs
How to decide between home care and senior living
While staying at home is a priority for some seniors, it’s important to consider the entire care and lifestyle picture. Order our primer on Alberta senior living care options to uncover:
- The benefits and drawbacks of public and private home care
- Whether accessible in-home services in your area meet your senior care and safety needs
- Whether home care is enhancing your parent’s life or helping them get by? Upon further consideration, would they benefit from senior living with a sense of community, delicious dining and activities tailored to their interests in staying active, pursuing hobbies or volunteering?
Comparing services and care
Before you begin researching long-term care homes, nursing homes and private retirement residences near you, download our handbook on Alberta senior living care options by filling in the form. It will help you:
- Ask the right questions about care at different residences. For example, do you or your loved one have mobility challenges that require transfers using specialized equipment?
- Research senior care costs. Some homes charge a standard fee. At Amica, however, you can request services, such as dressing or feeding assistance, a la carte or as part of a bundle.
- Consider healthcare access and location. Going out for therapy, doctor and dentist appointments can be challenging, so some residences conveniently arrange for these professionals to visit on site.
- Ask about respite care as an option for you or your loved one to recover from an illness or surgery, provide a break for caregivers or to simply try out a residence.
- Think long term: how do publicly funded homes or in-home services stack up to a senior living lifestyle with companionship, engaging activities, personalized wellness and 24/7 safety?
It’s a big decision, but this guide will help seniors stay in charge of their life with the care choice that best supports the well-being of everyone in your family.