Whether operating within a unionized or non-unionized workforce, CHAA member organizations have a long and collaborative history with staff and their union leaders.

Collaborating with labour

Read impact stories from CHAA and learn how our member operators are making a difference in the continuing care sector.

Read impact stories from CHAA and learn how CHAA is making a difference in the continuing care sector.

Impact Stories Listing

The number of care staff scheduled to work on any given day (and therefore spend with residents) is determined by funded care hours. Each care home receives provincial funding based on a complex formula involving the average health status (acuity) across all residents in the home, multiplied by a standard amount of care time per day. There are multiple other factors considered as well, such as the occupancy level of the care home.

Learn about the vital role that advocacy plays in ensuring that elderly and adults with disabilities have access to safe, quality care. Discover how CHAA works to ensure funded hours of care for residents in residential settings.

The number of care staff scheduled to work on any given day (and therefore spend with residents) is determined by funded care hours.

Hours of care

CHAA operators have a unique system-level vantage point to observe gaps and challenges between the interconnected parts of the health care system.

CHAA operators have a unique system-level vantage point to observe gaps and challenges between the interconnected parts of the healthcare system.

Our focus on solutions

Quality of life is largely determined by the sense of family and shared values within facility-based living. Residents often speak about what contributes most to quality of life: Caring relationships, kindness, connections with others, respect, autonomy, camaraderie, joy, laughter, and a sense of purpose and belonging. 

Quality of life is largely determined by the sense of family and shared values within facility-based living.

Quality of life

Conference Landing Page

Catch up with the latest news about CHAA and continuing care updates here.

News Listing

CHAA’s not-for-profit operators boast the province’s longest-serving workforce and the longest-tenure staff. We’re privileged to work with such stable, loyal, and long-serving teams. Here’s why our partnership with  employees is so strong and committed.

CHAA’s not-for-profit operators boast the province’s longest-serving workforce and the longest-tenure staff. We’re privileged to work with such stable, loyal, and long-serving teams.Here’s why our partnership with  employees is so strong.

Celebrating not-for-profit workers 

Only 5% of seniors will ever need care in a continuing care facility. The remaining 95% will often look to family caregivers to support their health, safety, and well-being at home.

Family caregivers

CHAA is Alberta’s longest-serving association in the acute care and continuing care sector. Our doors opened in June 1943 – a month after the end of the Second World War.

Our history

All contracted operators in Alberta receive about the same amount of government funding to deliver care. How operators allocate that funding can make a significant difference to quality of life for residents.

CHAA is committed to providing solutions to ensure that contracted operators in Alberta get the funding they need to deliver quality care. Learn more by visiting our website today!

The care funding received by contracted operators is based on complex inputs, weighting factors, and calculations.

Funding Overview

CHAA’s first not-for-profit care homes in Alberta began in the 1860s through the mission-work of faith-based organizations. Our calling then — as it remains today — is to offer care to individuals struggling with inequities, poverty, social isolation, marginalization, and other challenges of daily living.  We welcome all residents in our care homes, regardless of faith, culture, sexual orientation/identity, financial circumstances, or cognitive capacity.

Equity, diversity & inclusion

Our earliest members established Alberta’s first rural nursing stations in the mid-1800s. Ever since, CHAA operators have been recognized as Alberta’s first public health care system — offering not-for-profit, mission-driven service for more than 160 years to those most in need.

Being not-for-profit means we can focus on the values and faith that have guided our mission of service for more than a century.

About non-profit care

Continuing care is a broad term that refers to any kind of services or care that a person 'requires' in order to live more comfortably and safely as they age or lose function. 
In Alberta, continuing care services specifically refer to the services that are provided through government/public health care funding at no cost to the individual.

Continuing care is a broad term that covers any kind of services or facilities that help people live more comfortably and safely as they age or lose function. 

What is continuing care?

CHAA is the official voice of not-for-profit, faith-based care organizations. We’re a strong and visionary provincial association – dedicated entirely to improving quality of life and care in partnership with our residents and clients.

Discover the history and mission behind CHAA – a not-for-profit, faith-based care organization advocating for Albertan seniors. Learn more about our vision to improve the quality of life and care across Alberta.

CHAA is the official voice of not-for-profit, faith-based care organizations. We’re a strong and visionary provincial association – dedicated entirely to improving quality of life and care in partnership with our residents  and clients.

About CHAA

Leah Lechelt

Meghan Richardson

Nancy Carlson

Peace Omodele

Anna Sknar

At CHAA, our dedicated team works tirelessly to enhance the quality of care for Alberta’s seniors, while being driven by core values that reflect our commitment to faith, compassion, and integrity. As Alberta’s longest-serving association in the acute and continuing care sector, we are proud to be at the forefront of innovative solutions and compassionate service. 

Get to know the members and board of CHAA. Learn about our collaborative and values-driven approach, as well as our commitment to using evidence and experience to enact system-wide change.

At CHAA, our dedicated team works tirelessly to enhance the quality of care for Alberta’s seniors, while being driven by core values that reflect our commitment to faith, compassion, and integrity. 

Our team

In 2021, Alberta took on the ambitious task of reviewing our entire continuing care system. Through consultations with residents, family members, the public, operators, staff, and other stakeholders, government heard from more than 7,000 individuals. Lessons learned from the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic were also factored into the report. The Facility Based Continuing Care (FBCC) review took a full year and is now serving as the blueprint for Alberta's system transformation. 

Alberta took on the ambitious task of reviewing our entire continuing care system through a comprehensive, year-long review. Here’s what the final report recommends.

Facility based review

While different streams of the health care system (acute care, continuing care, primary care) may be funded and managed separately, they are all strongly interconnected through referral systems and intake processes. For this reason, changes within a single stream of care can have a significant impact on overall system capacity.

An inside look at how continuing care capacity has become one of the major priorities for CHAA's advocacy. Learn more about our approach and how it will help improve hospital resources and community support.

While different streams of the health care system may be funded and managed separately, they are all strongly interconnected.

System capacity overview

The question of who pays for continuing care, and how much, is complicated — because our care system has a mix of public and private health care organizations. 

In all continuing care settings, the resident is responsible to pay for the cost of accommodation. 

In many continuing care settings, public health care will cover some or all of the cost of care services.

The question of who pays for continuing care, and how much, is complicated — because our care system has a mix of public and private health care organizations. 

Paying for care

Albertans demand (and deserve) a high-performing care system. It should come as no surprise that CHAA and our member organizations are strong advocates for change in Alberta's continuing care system, spearheading research and guiding policy change. Contracted operators are both privileged and challenged to meet the lofty expectations of aging Albertans.  There is so much we can do together to make transformational change a reality. 

CHAA operators are well-positioned to lead the way with our values, mission, and decades-long experience as not-for-profit providers.

CHAA is advocating to improve seniors' care in Alberta through change. We're researching and guiding policy changes so we can create a brighter future for our senior citizens.

A bold new vision for the future of seniors' care  in Alberta.

Our advocacy

We've always believed that staff work in the home of the residents who have chosen to live in our care facilities.
Our care homes are not a place of work. They’re a permanent residence for those who choose to live together in a congregate setting. When it comes to resident quality of life, perspective really matters.


Senior woman playing board games.

At CHAA, we understand the importance of vibrant and engaged living for those who call our homes their permanent residence. Our mission is to provide quality care for our residents so they can lead happy and fulfilling lives.

When it comes to resident quality of life, perspective really matters.

Residents overview

It’s virtually impossible to transform any health care system if we’re still governed by legislation from 40 to 60 years ago. That’s the situation we’re facing in Alberta as we commit to modernizing the continuing care system … yet we lack some of the foundational tools needed.

It’s virtually impossible to transform any health care system if we’re still governed by legislation from 40 to 60 years ago. That’s the situation we’re facing in Alberta as we commit to modernizing the continuing care system.

New legislation

The COVID-19 global pandemic radically changed the face of the workforce in continuing care. Employees overwhelmed by the sense of loss and grief in care homes gave way to an emotionally and spiritually depleted workforce. 
Exacerbated by labour shortages across the entire country, CHAA’s care home operators are now focused on healing and rebuilding together as we recover from some very challenging years.

The COVID-19 global pandemic radically changed the face of the workforce in continuing care. Employees overwhelmed by the sense of loss and grief in care homes are now giving way to an emotionally and spiritually depleted workforce. 

Workforce solutions

Albertans looking to access a private (self-pay) seniors' residence are free to choose their own facility and make arrangements directly.
Accessing publicly funded services, on the other hand, takes a bit of legwork and requires a formal assessment of the individual's care needs. Some knowledge of how the system works can help families get the process started.

Accessing publicly funded services takes a bit of legwork and some knowledge of how the system works. Here is how to get started.

Accessing services

Our member organizations are exclusively not-for-profit providers of publicly funded continuing care and acute care services info. Collectively, we use the power of research, leadership, and integrity to champion for structural change in Alberta’s continuing care system. We’re all strongly anchored in our faith-based values of charity, empathy, compassion, family, social justice, integrity and accountability.

Our member organizations are exclusively not-for-profit providers of publicly funded continuing care and acute care services info. Collectively, we use the power of research, leadership, and integrity to champion change.

Our members

By June 2025, care homes in Alberta will need to be accredited to ensure they meet common standards of performance and accountability. Accreditation protects all residents in care and ensures consistency across contracted operators.

Most CHAA care homes have been accredited for years — long before the requirement came into force — as a reflection of our commitment to high quality, safe care. 


Facility accreditation 

CHAA relies solely on membership dues from not-for-profit members to fund our research activities and system transformation advocacy work. Donations, grants and partnerships are essential to maintaining our excellent standards in solutions-focused advocacy.

Help us reach our mission of system transformation. Your donation to CHAA helps fund research activities and support the work we do in improving not-for-profit standards. Show your support and advocacy today!

Donate

Not-for-profit organizations occupy a special place in the health care system. We got into this line of work because we view it as a calling rather than a business. It's a mission of service. Something we're committed to, even when times are tough.

Learn why not-for-profit organizations occupy a special place in the health care system. Discover how we approach service as a mission, and discover the unique focus of CHAA for not-for-profits.

Our focus

Christian Health Association of Alberta

Reach out with questions or opportunities to get involved in advocacy regarding not-for-profit continuing care.

Connect with us for inquiries, opportunities, and involvement in advocacy for not-for-profit continuing care. Reach out today and join us in making a difference. Contact us at 780-439-0611 or visit our address at Suite 160, 10130 – 112 St, Edmonton, AB T5K 2K4.

Contact

The continuing care sector in Alberta is undergoing a major transformation, with a renewed focus on providing accessible, high-quality, and integrated care for Albertans. A key milestone in this transformation is the transfer of the continuing care portfolio to the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services. This portfolio shift reflects the government’s focus on aligning policies and programs to better serve seniors and support aging Albertans in maintaining independence and well-being.                                                    
 
As Alberta navigates this transformation, CHAA plays an important role as an advocate, collaborator, and thought leader. 

The team at CHAA provides support for new legislative and regulatory changes, such as the upcoming Continuing Care Act. Learn more about our work and how we can help you stay compliant.

The new Continuing Care Act will soon be in force. Here's how we're contributing to new legislation and regulations.

Regulatory Overview

Alberta’s continuing care system is complex, and it takes some time to understand how, where and when to access care services. Preparing ahead of time can ensure individuals and families are ready to navigate the system if and when care is ever needed.

Alberta’s continuing care system is complex, and it takes some time to understand how to access care services. Preparing ahead of time can ensure individuals and families are ready to navigate the system if and when care is ever needed.

Getting care

Most residents in continuing care develop strong friendships and roots among the familiar faces and routines in their care home. Our goal is always to maintain a stable and consistent residence for those needing care — ideally in the same community and setting.

Most residents in continuing care develop strong friendships and roots among the familiar faces and routines in their care home. Our goal is always to maintain a stable and consistent residence for those needing care.

Thriving in place

For years, residents in CHAA’s faith-based, non-profit operators have benefitted from nearly half a million hours of volunteer service annually.

More volunteers than any other sector

Accommodation fees are the amount paid by the resident/family for the equivalent of ‘room and board’ in a continuing care facility.
The government sets a maximum fee residents can be charged, and the rate is adjusted annually based on inflation and other factors.

Get an in-depth understanding of what accommodation fees are for continuing care facilities and how they work. Learn more about our advocacy efforts to make this payment process easier for aging adults and their families.

Accommodation fees are the amount paid by the resident/family for the equivalent of ‘room and board’ in a continuing care facility.

Accommodation fees

Our association is led by a board of directors that is highly values-led and mission-focused. We’re an inclusive board: every member organization – whether a $2M or $500M organization – is given a seat at the board table and an equal opportunity to influence our policy and advocacy work.

John Kopeck

Kathy Fortunat 

Dr. Katherine Chubbs

Patrick Dumelie

Shahad Bharmal

Alex Portnik

Daryl Martin

Carla Beck

Kathy Tam

Greg Dewling

Patrick Vinh

Heidi Hadubiak

CHAA's small but mighty board is close-knit, values-driven, and nimble. Our goals? To always collaborate respectfully with decision-makers. And to use evidence and experience to inform system-wide change.

Our board

It's unfortunately common for hospital patients to be recovered and ready for discharge - but the next level of care isn't ready to receive them. There are some system-level changes we can make to ensure these Alternative Level of Care (ALC) patients can transition sooner to the continuing care or home care services they need.

Continuing care and home care access are key sources of delayed hospital discharge.

Key sources of delayed hospital discharge

While legislation confers broad powers or imposes high-level restrictions, regulations are intended to govern the details around who is accountable to carry out specific actions and what those actions should entail. Alberta initiated some consultation with the continuing sector and Albertans in 2022-23 to understand priorities and expectations. Now the work of drafting regulations is under way in preparation for regulations coming into force some time in 2024. 
The severely outdated Nursing Homes Operation Regulation is very specific in prescribing the permissible professional staff -- reflecting a care team composition that no longer exists today. The regulation pre-dates new provider groups such as nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses. There is no mention of health care aides, who provide up to 80% of the care across continuing care.

While legislation confers broad powers or imposes high-level restrictions, regulations are intended to govern the details around who is accountable to carry out specific actions and what those actions should entail. Alberta initiated some consultatio

Continuing care regulations

Capacity issues or delays within home care, primary care, and continuing care access can contribute to -- and even be a direct cause of -- capacity problems within acute care. Many solutions within health care need to be considered at the whole-system level rather than exclusively within certain sectors.



Capacity issues or delays within home care, primary care, and continuing care access can contribute to -- and even be a direct cause of -- capacity problems within acute care. 

Acute care pressures

To follow the values of our faith so that we may serve all Albertans in need of care and compassion, by supporting and engaging our residents, communities, members and our governments through inclusive leadership, education, awareness and advocacy.

Discover the mission and values of CHAA, Alberta’s longest-serving association in the acute care and continuing care sector. Learn how our team strives to improve health services across the province.

Learn more about how we support Albertan's in need.

Mission and values

CHAA welcomes membership applications from not-for-profit organizations that are committed to advancing access and equity for those needing continuing care services, home care, and housing. 



Join the professional association for not-for profit continuing care operators in Alberta with a CHAA membership. Our members benefit from career development, advocacy, resources and support.

CHAA welcomes membership applications from not-for-profit organizations that are committed to advancing access and equity for those needing continuing care services, home care, and housing. 

Join CHAA

The Patient Care-Based Funding (PCBF) Model is the tool that's used to determine how many public (government) dollars should be allocated per-day and provided to contracted care homes in Alberta to cover the costs associated with each resident in their care.

Get an in-depth look into the Patient Care Based Funding (PCBF) model and how it determines care for long-term care settings. Learn about acuity-based funding and its importance to residents' needs.

This acuity-based funding model replaced the previous per-diem models that were used in Alberta. Here’s why it was adopted in Alberta.

What is the PCBF funding model?

The COVID-19 pandemic taught us a great deal about gaps and challenges in the continuing care system. CHAA and our not-for-profit operators played a leadership role from the onset of the pandemic: advocating for system-wide protections, sharing early learnings, and finding new ways to support residents and families through some difficult years.

The COVID-19 pandemic taught us a great deal about gaps and challenges in the continuing care system.

Pandemic protections

Engaged, compassionate staff are the backbone of the exceptional care delivered across our sites.
Our philosophy is simple: care homes are far more than a workplace. They’re the permanent residence of those who choose to live together in a congregate setting. And our staff work in the home of the residents we serve. 
It’s easy to envision how we consider our staff, residents, and their loved ones to be one very large family. 


Nurse helping a senior woman with a walker.

At CHAA, we are dedicated to providing quality care across our sites. Our engaged and compassionate staff are the backbone of this exceptional care and provide the best service possible. Learn more about our experienced workforce today!

Engaged, compassionate staff are the backbone of the exceptional care delivered across our sites. 

Workforce overview

Advocacy

Header Settings

Alex Portnik emerges as a dynamic leader in the senior's health sector, celebrated for his operational prowess and strategic vision in delivering top-tier care. Serving as the Associate Vice President, Senior's Health Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia at SE Health, Alex has solidified his reputation by instilling new levels of operational leadership and excellence across SE Health sites in Ontario and Alberta. His tenure has been marked by forging impactful partnerships with government entities and organizational collaborators. Known for his strategic acumen in process improvement, team development, and regulatory compliance.

Associate Vice President, Seniors Health

Alex Portnik