Enhanced Living - FAQs

What is Enhanced Living?

There may come a time when living at home is no longer a safe option for you. Perhaps your needs have changed significantly, and you require a greater level of care than can be provided with scheduled care in your home. You may be a disabled adult with a chronic illness such as Multiple Sclerosis.

If so, your Home Care Registered Nurse may recommend Enhanced Living. This level of care provides you with access to a Health Care Aide, 24-hours a day, for personal care and support as well as continued professional care through your local Home Care Program.

Enhanced Living care can be provided in supportive living spaces such as a Lodge, or Designated Assisted Living facility. Here, you will have the peace of mind and comfort of knowing personal care supports are on site when you need them.

How do I know if Enhanced Living is the right care for me?

You and your Home Care Registered Nurse* will know when you are no longer able to safely cope in your own home. Your assessment will identify a need for 24-hour personal care and support.

Most Enhanced Living clients are:

• medically stable
• living with mild dementia with no known risk of wandering
• not a risk to self or others
• able to physically move independently or with a one-person transfer
• experiencing increased care needs that cannot be scheduled
• able to use a call system to get help

Enhanced Living will not a good fit for you if you need:

• complete meal assistance
• mechanical lift transfers
• two-person transfers
• help to manage a lack of bladder/bowel control

Who will provide care for me?

A Home Care Registered Nurse will continue to coordinate your plan of care, ensure you remain actively involved in your care, and help you to maintain your independence as much as possible. You will be supported in managing your lifestyle in the privacy of your own suite/room. Your door is the respected entry to your home, you decide who enters.

Health Care Aides are on-site 24 hours a day to provide you with support and personal care. Depending on your needs, you may also have access to other health professionals including rehabilitation therapists.

How much will it cost?

Alberta Health Services has made a commitment to ensure Alberta seniors and adults with disabilities receive the care services they require to support wellness and independence as they age.

Your ability to pay will not be a barrier to getting the care services you need.

All assessed health and personal care services included in your plan of care and managed through your Home Care Registered Nurse, will be covered by Alberta Health Services.

Accommodation fees for Enhanced Living, as well as any additional services requested by you outside of your plan of care are billable to you. Subsidies may be available. Please contact your local Seniors Benefit Office for more information or call 310-0000 and ask to be connected.

How will my room/suite be furnished?

This is your private home. You can decorate and personalize your suite/room to reflect your personal tastes by bringing your own bedroom furnishings and special belongings with you.

Will I have access to rehabilitation therapy?

Supportive living provides a broad range of health and personal support services. If your plan of care identifies a need for additional services including rehabilitation therapy it will be available to you through your local Home Care Program.

How do I get more information on Enhanced Living?

In order to access a senior’s living option, including Enhanced Living, you need to undergo an assessment by a Home Care Registered Nurse*.

You can access Alberta Health Services Home Care services if you:

• Live in Alberta
• Have an Alberta Health Care Number, or
• Have applied for and are eligible to receive Alberta Health care coverage

To book an assessment or for more information, contact your local Home Care program, talk to your family doctor or call HEALTHLink Alberta Toll-Free 1-866-408-5465.

* In some parts of the province, other allied health-care professionals (i.e. physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers) also complete assessments.