The Changing Landscape of Continuing Care in Alberta: Staff and Resident Characteristics in Supportive Living and Long-Term Care

Abstract

With provincial policy changing institutional care provision for older adults who are unable to safely remain at home, supportive living represents a new middle-ground to provide care for older adults. We compared characteristics of supportive living staff and residents to those in long-term care (LTC), using facility and staff surveys, as well as administrative Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) data, to describe differences and similarities between facility types. Data analysis included t-tests, chi-square tests, ridit analyses and odds ratios. Participants from 15 supportive living facilities were compared to participants from eight LTC homes. Supportive living healthcare aides were younger, worked fewer years and were more likely to work full time than LTC healthcare aides. LTC residents were more likely than supportive living residents to have: cognitive impairment, medical instability, and activities of daily living dependence. This knowledge, which situates supportive living in the new care continuum, is useful for policy makers and administrators deciding on interventions and clinical guidelines for care groups.

SCOPE: safer care for older persons (in residential) environments—a pilot study to enhance care aide-led quality improvement in nursing homes

“…Similarly, the care needs of nursing home residents have also increased substantially in recent years [ 7 ]. Annually, 1.7 million North Americans reside in nursing homes [ 8 ], and at least half of these residents have some form of age-related dementia often combined with additional impairments such as difficulties completing daily tasks, responsive behaviours, and frequent incontinence [ 9 – 11 ]. This vulnerable group requires complex health, personal, and social care, provided in ways that has meaning for residents [ 12 ] and that emphasize the importance of relational care and quality of life [ 13 ].…”

Well-being of professional older adults’ caregivers in Alberta’s assisted living and long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional study

“…The population of older adults in Canada is increasing [ 1 ], who will eventually need continuing care and the services of professional caregivers [ 3 ]. Consequently, the Government of Canada has been responding to the anticipated surge in the population of older adults by making policies and collaborating with continuing care facilities to expand their capacities and the services they can provide [ 6 , 10 , 24 ].…”

“…With the surge in the population of Canadian older adults (65 years and above), there is a corresponding increase in the health and psychosocial needs of this population [ 2 ]. Canada has a policy for universal health coverage for citizens including older adults who may require permanent residency in a continuing care facility [ 3 ]. Continuing care includes home care, assisted living (AL), long-term care (LTC), hospice, and end-of-life care [ 4 ].…”

“…Continuing care includes home care, assisted living (AL), long-term care (LTC), hospice, and end-of-life care [ 4 ]. There are provincial differences in continuing care policies across Canada [ 3 ], within the province of Alberta, continuing care systems provide older adults with health and social care to support their independence and good quality of life (QOL) [ 5 ].…”

SCOPE: Safer Care for Older Persons (in Residential) Environments: A Single Arm Pilot Study

“…As life expectancy increases so does the number of people with dementia and other co-morbid medical conditions [2][3][4][5][6]. Annually, 1.7 million North Americans reside in nursing homes [7] and at least half of these residents have some form of age-related dementia, often combined with additional impairments (e.g., di culties completing daily tasks, responsive behaviours, frequent incontinence) [8][9][10]. This vulnerable group requires complex health, personal, and social care, provided in ways that has meaning for residents [11] and that emphasize the importance of relational care and quality of life [12].…”