Facility-based continuing care review

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.

42 recommendations for system transformation

The FBCC Review drew 42 conclusions and recommendations to transform the sector. Here’s a summary of the findings.Work on the Facility-based Continuing Care (FBCC) Review recommendations is well under way and is expected to continue for years to come

CHAA’s transformational roadmap

Our Transforming Seniors Health and Wellness in Alberta discussion paper helped kickstart the province’s path to modernizing our continuing care system.

Tracking our progress

Government and continuing care operators have been collaborating on changes to our system. Here’s how we’re doing.

New legislation

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.

Why new legislation is long overdue

Our continuing care system has changed a lot in 50 years. Here’s why our legislation needed to catch up with the times.

New continuing care act

Alberta is leading the way nation-wide with a new Continuing Care Act. Passed in 2023, it will come into force when the accompanying regulations are finalized. Here’s where it’s headed.

The connection between legislation and regulations

There is (or should be) a clear separation in the scope of legislation versus the accompanying regulations. Learn about their respective accountabilities.

Legislation and regulations governing care homes

There are several sets of regulations that have governed the construction and operation of care homes in Alberta. Here’s a rundown.

Continuing care regulations

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.

What areas of practice do regulations cover?

Here’s a rundown of the kinds of topics often governed by regulations, and a glimpse into what’s articulated in existing regulations.

Who monitors and enforces adherence to regulations?

There are multiple layers of accountability built into regulations to ensure contracted operators know what’s expected.

CHAA operators – all hands on deck

The longest-serving operators in Alberta have seen it all (since the 1860s) and continue to play an essential role in development of new legislation and regulations.

Facility accreditation

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.

What does accreditation really mean?

Accreditation is a rigorous process that assesses care homes and gives the site a percentage score that is benchmarked nationally.

Which aspects of operations are assessed through accreditation?

From safety to cleanliness to medication management, almost every square inch and operational practice of care home goes under review.

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