Watching and
Working for Change

Alberta's continuing care system is increasingly in the public spotlight as a matter of public interest and concern. The terms and language used to describe the system today are confusing and constantly changing. The definitions and settings also vary by regional health authority and specific location.

The current system - broadly comprised of traditional long term care facilities (i.e. nursing homes and auxiliary hospitals) and assisted living and other types of supportive living facilities and home care - is complex. Figuring out what it’s all about, what works well, what the problems are, how serious they are or what can (and is) being done to address them, isn’t easy.

To complicate things even further, there are growing disparities between what government, regional health authorities or operators of traditional long term care facilities and supportive/assisted living facilities say about the quality and cost of care and services provided and what residents themselves, their families and advocates experience and say. Somewhere in-between are the findings of the Alberta Auditor General's 2005 audit of long-term care and supportive living facilities.

CITIZEN WATCH is designed to help you sort through the confusing or conflicting information, de-code the jargon, gain new insights, and encourage public discussion, public scrutiny and public action on important issues related to continuing care in Alberta.

Here you can read regular reports and input, and share your experiences, observations and perspectives. your experiences, observations and perspectives.

NEW Broken Promises: Families in Crisis
A personal story of one senior couple's experience with the reality of home care and family supports while caring for an elderly friend in their home.