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Provincial guide · Alberta

Planning for more care

Alberta Health Services (AHS) Continuing Care coordinates home and community care, designated supportive living, and long-term care. Start with Health Link 811 for navigation, then follow case manager assessment steps. Assisted Living Alberta (continuingcare@assistedlivingalberta.ca) supports continuing care navigation during the provincial transition.

Guides are available for all provinces and territories. Select where the person needing care lives.

Alberta at a glance

Local care system
Alberta Health Services (AHS) Continuing Care
Where to start
Health Link 811
Self-referral
Yes. Anyone can request a continuing care assessment; no referral is required
Who can request help
The person, a family member, doctor, hospital team, or community provider
Main contact
Health Link 811; email continuingcare@assistedlivingalberta.ca; zone Continuing Care Access Centre after 811 navigation
Assessment
An AHS case manager conducts an in-home assessment to determine eligible home, supportive living, or long-term care steps

Approved services and waitlists vary by zone. Confirm current processes on official AHS pages.

What kind of help are you exploring?

Select everything that sounds relevant. Alberta Health Services Continuing Care routes home and community care, designated supportive living, and long-term care through case manager assessments. This tool offers orientation only; it does not determine eligibility.

Your selections help orient planning. An AHS case manager assessment determines which funded services or residential placement steps may apply.

Suggested next actions in Alberta

Choose a starting point linked to official Alberta resources. MyEligible does not schedule assessments or submit government forms.

Call Health Link 811

Purpose
Reach official Alberta intake for home support assessment or residential care discussions.
When to use
When any level of continuing care support is needed, after hospital discharge, or when comparing home and residential options.
What to have ready
Health card information, medication list, hospital discharge papers if recent, and helper contact details.

  • Health Link: 811

    24/7 health advice and navigation to AHS continuing care services.

    Health Link: 811

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • Health Link: 811

    24/7 health advice and navigation to AHS continuing care services.

    Health Link: 811

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Open the Alberta caregiver guide

Learn about home support

Purpose
Review how Alberta home and community services work after assessment.
When to use
When visiting support at home may meet daily needs before considering residential options.
What to have ready
Summary of daily care needs and current helpers at home.

  • Health Link: 811

    24/7 health advice and navigation to AHS continuing care services.

    Health Link: 811

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • Email continuingcare@assistedlivingalberta.ca

    Assisted Living Alberta continuing care navigation email for Alberta Health Services.

    Email continuingcare@assistedlivingalberta.ca

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • How to access continuing care in Alberta

    Official Government of Alberta guide: start with Health Link 811 and continuing care assessment steps.

    How to access continuing care in Alberta

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Explore residential care options

Purpose
Understand Long-term care and supportive living placement steps and costs on official pages.
When to use
When 24-hour supervision or nursing may be needed and home support is no longer safe enough.
What to have ready
Recent functional changes, caregiver capacity notes, and preferred community if any.

  • Alberta long-term care

    Type A continuing care homes with 24-hour nursing and personal care.

    Alberta long-term care

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • Designated supportive living

    Licensed supportive living with meals and scheduled personal care.

    Designated supportive living

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Review seniors benefits and tax credits

Purpose
Explore federal benefits that may help with overall care finances (orientation only).
When to use
When planning finances alongside Alberta care options.
What to have ready
Approximate income range and whether the person receives federal seniors benefits.
Explore seniors benefits

A five-step planning journey in Alberta

  1. Step 1

    Understand needs and safety

    Clarify daily care needs, home safety, and whether protection or urgent danger is involved.

    • List difficult daily tasks: meals, bathing, medication, mobility, and supervision needs.

    • Note changes after hospitalization or gradual decline.

    • Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.

    • Health Link: 811

      24/7 health advice and navigation to AHS continuing care services.

      Health Link: 811

      Link verified 2026-08-25

  2. Step 2

    Compare home support and residential options

    Official Alberta programs use different assessment paths for home and residential care.

    • Case manager-coordinated nursing, personal care, therapy, respite, and palliative supports at home after assessment.

      Health Link: 811

      What happens next: After intake, an assessor may ask about daily activities, mobility, safety, medications, and help already available at home.

    • Designated supportive living (Type B) and long-term care homes (Type A) when home care is not enough.

    • Progression is not always linear; needs and authorized levels can change over time.

  3. Step 3

    Prepare for an official assessment

    Publicly funded services and residential placement both require official assessments.

    • Bring medication lists, recent hospital records, and details about family helpers.

    • Contact official Alberta intake to request or discuss an assessment.

      Health Link: 811

      What happens next: An assessor may schedule a visit and discuss home support, respite, equipment, or residential placement steps.

    • Assessment does not guarantee immediate residential placement.

  4. Step 4

    Understand costs and benefits

    Costs differ between funded home services, residential charges, and private-pay options.

    • Approved home services are publicly funded when eligible; hours reflect assessed need.

    • Residential settings may have income-based charges or copayments per provincial rules.

    • Federal seniors benefits may help with overall finances. See MyEligible seniors benefits guide.

    • Alberta long-term care

      Type A continuing care homes with 24-hour nursing and personal care.

      Alberta long-term care

      Link verified 2026-08-25

    • Designated supportive living

      Licensed supportive living with meals and scheduled personal care.

      Designated supportive living

      Link verified 2026-08-25

    • AHS Continuing Care Access

      Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

      AHS Continuing Care Access

      Link verified 2026-08-25

  5. Step 5

    Apply, wait, and transition

    Service authorization and placement depend on assessment outcomes and regional capacity.

    • Home support begins after assessment approval, not automatically on first contact.

    • Residential placement follows assessment, authorization, and wait times where applicable.

    • Hospital discharge may include short-term support. Confirm what happens when it ends.

    • Protection concerns should use official routes separate from care applications.

    • Health Link: 811

      24/7 health advice and navigation to AHS continuing care services.

      Health Link: 811

      Link verified 2026-08-25

    • AHS Continuing Care Access

      Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

      AHS Continuing Care Access

      Link verified 2026-08-25

Alberta care settings, a continuum, not a ladder

Alberta coordinates home support, residential care, and setting-specific protection through separate official programs. Progression is not always linear.

Progression is not always linear. Some people add home support and never move; others need reassessment when needs grow. Compare care levels, costs, and which authority coordinates before choosing a direction.

Home and community care

Case manager-coordinated nursing, personal care, therapy, respite, and palliative supports at home after assessment.

Who it may suit
People who can stay at home with visiting support, short-term post-hospital recovery, or periodic nursing and therapy.
Typical services
Personal care, nursing visits, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, equipment, respite, and palliative home care.
Funding
Publicly funded when approved for Albertans with Alberta Health Care coverage; some services may have fees.
Who assesses
AHS case managers assess eligibility and coordinate service plans.
How to start
Call Health Link 811 or contact your zone Continuing Care Access Centre. Email continuingcare@assistedlivingalberta.ca for navigation help.
Common misunderstanding
Home care is not unlimited; approved hours reflect clinical need and may change over time.

  • Health Link: 811

    24/7 health advice and navigation to AHS continuing care services.

    Health Link: 811

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • Email continuingcare@assistedlivingalberta.ca

    Assisted Living Alberta continuing care navigation email for Alberta Health Services.

    Email continuingcare@assistedlivingalberta.ca

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • How to access continuing care in Alberta

    Official Government of Alberta guide: start with Health Link 811 and continuing care assessment steps.

    How to access continuing care in Alberta

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Long-term care and supportive living

Designated supportive living (Type B) and long-term care homes (Type A) when home care is not enough.

Who it may suit
People who need daily supervised support or 24-hour nursing that cannot be met safely at home.
Typical services
Meals, personal care, nursing, activities, and secure dementia spaces in designated sites.
Funding
Publicly funded nursing care in LTC; accommodation and care fees vary by setting and financial screening.
Who assesses
AHS case managers assess eligibility and manage waitlists and temporary placements.
How to start
Begin with a continuing care assessment when residential care may be more appropriate than home support alone.
Common misunderstanding
Supportive living is not the same as long-term care; different care levels, costs, and waitlists apply.

  • Alberta long-term care

    Type A continuing care homes with 24-hour nursing and personal care.

    Alberta long-term care

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • Designated supportive living

    Licensed supportive living with meals and scheduled personal care.

    Designated supportive living

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Planning ahead

Personal directives, enduring power of attorney, and financial planning before capacity declines.

Who it may suit
Families planning ahead while capacity remains, or when financial decision-making questions arise during care transitions.
Typical services
Information from the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee; legal document preparation is private pay.
Funding
Legal advice is private pay; financial screening may support continuing care fee programs.
Who assesses
Qualified legal professionals prepare documents; OPG may become involved in defined circumstances.
How to start
Review OPG plain-language information and consult a qualified legal professional for binding advice.
Common misunderstanding
MyEligible does not draft legal documents. Continuing care assessments do not replace legal planning.

Safety and quality

Official quality and safety routes for continuing care concerns, separate from intake.

Who it may suit
Care or safety concerns in continuing care settings, not a placement application pathway.
Typical services
AHS continuing care quality resources and Health Link 811 for navigation.
Funding
N/A, separate from assessment applications.
Who assesses
Quality processes are separate from case manager service authorization.
How to start
Call 911 if immediate danger; otherwise use official AHS continuing care quality contacts.
Common misunderstanding
Quality concerns are not the same as requesting a new home care assessment.

  • Health Link: 811

    24/7 health advice and navigation to AHS continuing care services.

    Health Link: 811

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Compare Alberta settings at a glance

Use this table for orientation only. Confirm assessment requirements, fees, and contacts on official pages before making decisions.

Support level
Visiting nursing, therapy, and personal care based on assessed need
Nursing
Periodic nursing visits when clinically required, not 24-hour onsite nursing
Funding
Publicly funded when approved; some service fees may apply
Assessment
Yes. AHS case manager assessment required
Best contact
Health Link 811 or zone Continuing Care Access Centre

  • Health Link: 811

    24/7 health advice and navigation to AHS continuing care services.

    Health Link: 811

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Home and community care (AHS)

Nursing, personal care, therapy, respite, and palliative supports at home after a case manager assessment.

AHS Home and Community Care helps Albertans stay at home when needs can be met safely in the community. Anyone can request a continuing care assessment without a referral. A case manager conducts an in-home assessment and coordinates approved services such as personal care, nursing visits, equipment, and caregiver respite when clinically appropriate.

  • Call Health Link 811 first for continuing care navigation and assessment intake.
  • Email continuingcare@assistedlivingalberta.ca for Assisted Living Alberta navigation questions.
  • Approved services depend on clinical need, informal support, and regional capacity.

  • Health Link: 811

    24/7 health advice and navigation to AHS continuing care services.

    Health Link: 811

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • Email continuingcare@assistedlivingalberta.ca

    Assisted Living Alberta continuing care navigation email for Alberta Health Services.

    Email continuingcare@assistedlivingalberta.ca

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • How to access continuing care in Alberta

    Official Government of Alberta guide: start with Health Link 811 and continuing care assessment steps.

    How to access continuing care in Alberta

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Designated supportive living

Licensed supportive living with meals and daily assistance, distinct from long-term care nursing homes.

Designated supportive living (formerly supportive living under earlier terminology) provides housing, hospitality services, and scheduled personal care. Some sites offer secure dementia spaces. Placement for publicly funded spaces requires a case manager assessment and waitlist process. Some accommodations can be contacted directly; others require assessment first.

  • Compare Type B supportive living with Type A long-term care before assuming one setting fits.
  • The Assisted Living Alberta portal lists accommodations, fees, and potential availability.
  • Monthly costs may include accommodation charges plus care fees depending on the site.

  • Designated supportive living

    Licensed supportive living with meals and scheduled personal care.

    Designated supportive living

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Long-term care (continuing care homes)

24-hour nursing and personal care in continuing care homes when needs cannot be met at home or in supportive living.

Long-term care homes (Type A continuing care) provide 24-hour nursing, personal care, meals, and supervision. Admission requires a case manager assessment, financial screening when applicable, and waitlist management. Temporary continuing care home placement may be offered while waiting for a preferred site.

  • Case managers provide lists of appropriate accommodations that meet assessed needs and preferences.
  • Accepting a temporary location does not remove you from a preferred-site waitlist.
  • Nursing care in long-term care is publicly funded; accommodation charges may apply.

  • Alberta long-term care

    Type A continuing care homes with 24-hour nursing and personal care.

    Alberta long-term care

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Planning ahead: personal directives and finances

Plan substitute decision-making and finances while capacity remains intact.

Alberta's Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee publishes information on personal directives, enduring power of attorney, and guardianship when someone can no longer make decisions. Continuing care assessments focus on care needs; legal documents are separate and require qualified legal advice.

  • Personal directives and enduring power of attorney should be prepared while the person understands and consents.
  • MyEligible does not draft legal documents or determine capacity.
  • Financial screening may support payment of continuing care charges and fees.

Breaks and respite for family caregivers

Official home and community programs may offer respite when an unpaid caregiver needs relief.

AHS may authorize respite for unpaid caregivers when clinically appropriate through a case manager assessment. Respite may include in-home relief or other supports coordinated with Home and Community Care.

  • Ask your case manager about caregiver relief when burnout or safety is a concern.
  • Respite is not automatic; it depends on assessed need and regional capacity.
  • MyEligible does not schedule respite visits.

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • Health Link: 811

    24/7 health advice and navigation to AHS continuing care services.

    Health Link: 811

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Palliative and end-of-life care at home

When a serious illness limits life expectancy, palliative supports may be available at home or in residential settings.

AHS Home and Community Care includes palliative and end-of-life supports when someone wishes to remain at home. Hospice and facility-based palliative care are separate continuing care pathways.

  • Discuss goals of care and symptom management with the case manager and primary care team.
  • Palliative home care focuses on comfort and support for the person and family.
  • Confirm hospice eligibility and costs on official AHS continuing care pages.

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

What to prepare before an assessment

Gathering key documents and daily-care details before intake can make assessment conversations clearer.

Before a continuing care assessment, gather your Alberta health care card, medication list, recent hospital records, and details about daily tasks and informal helpers.

  • List tasks that are becoming difficult: meals, bathing, mobility, medication, and supervision.
  • Note recent hospital stays or diagnoses that affect care needs.
  • Bring questions about supportive living, long-term care, and costs.

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • Health Link: 811

    24/7 health advice and navigation to AHS continuing care services.

    Health Link: 811

    Link verified 2026-08-25

If care needs increase or the plan stops working

Care plans are not fixed. Reassessment may be needed when health, safety, or caregiver capacity changes.

When needs increase, falls become frequent, or a caregiver can no longer cope safely, contact your case manager or Continuing Care Access Centre for reassessment. Temporary continuing care home placement may be offered while waiting for a preferred site.

  • Reassessment may change approved home care hours or residential placement steps.
  • Accepting a temporary location does not remove you from a preferred-site waitlist.
  • Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.

  • AHS Continuing Care Access

    Zone Continuing Care Access Centres and how to request an assessment.

    AHS Continuing Care Access

    Link verified 2026-08-25

  • Alberta long-term care

    Type A continuing care homes with 24-hour nursing and personal care.

    Alberta long-term care

    Link verified 2026-08-25

Official sources

These pages are maintained by government agencies and regulators. MyEligible mirrors links for navigation only.

  • Alberta Health Services Continuing Care
    Authority:
    Alberta Health Services
    Province:
    Alberta
    Purpose:
    Continuing care overview, home and community care, and residential pathways.
    Last verified:
    2026-08-25

    External official page

  • AHS Continuing Care Access Centres
    Authority:
    Alberta Health Services
    Province:
    Alberta
    Purpose:
    Zone Continuing Care Access Centre contacts and assessment intake.
    Last verified:
    2026-08-25

    External official page

  • AHS designated supportive living
    Authority:
    Alberta Health Services
    Province:
    Alberta
    Purpose:
    Designated supportive living accommodations and placement information.
    Last verified:
    2026-08-25

    External official page

  • AHS long-term care
    Authority:
    Alberta Health Services
    Province:
    Alberta
    Purpose:
    Long-term care homes, waitlists, and accommodation charges.
    Last verified:
    2026-08-25

    External official page

  • Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee of Alberta
    Authority:
    Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee of Alberta
    Province:
    Alberta
    Purpose:
    Personal directives, enduring power of attorney, and guardianship information.
    Last verified:
    2026-08-25

    External official page

  • Government of Alberta: how to access continuing care
    Authority:
    Government of Alberta
    Province:
    Alberta
    Purpose:
    How to access continuing care, Health Link 811, and Assisted Living Alberta navigation.
    Last verified:
    2026-08-25

    External official page

This guide helps you prepare and find the correct official pathway. It does not assess eligibility, make placement decisions, or replace advice from a health authority or care coordinator.

This is not an eligibility test

Last reviewed: August 2026

Alberta Seniors Care Planning: AHS Continuing Care and Long-Term Care | MyEligible