Alberta government announces final health-care agency, aimed at seniors' care

Jason Nixon, Alberta's minister for seniors, community and social services, said Assisted Living Alberta, the final health agency in the government's restructuring of health care, will be operational sometime in the fall.

The provincial government announced a new health agency on Thursday to help older Albertans and “maintain their quality of life and independence.”

The new agency, called Assisted Living Alberta, is the UCP government’s next step on its plan to refocus health care in the province.

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Officials say it will help provide “a comprehensive system” of medical and non-medical supports, home care, community care and social services.

It also means Albertans “will have more options” for individuals and families.

“As the need for continuing care services in Alberta grows, I am committed to working with health, social services and continuing care professionals to transform the system and ensure the new provincial agency, Assisted Living Alberta, meets all Albertans' needs,” said Jason Nixon, the minister for seniors, community and social services, in a news release.

“This change ensures Albertans have access to a full range of wraparound supports to meet their evolving needs and maintain their independence and quality of life as they age or require more support.”

Assisted Living Alberta will provide help to seniors in long-term care, those who wish to stay at home, residents with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable Albertans aged 65 and over.

The province says Assisted Living Alberta will be established by April 1 and fully operational by the fall but, rest assured, all Albertans currently receiving care and those who need care, will get the attention they need during the transition period.

"Improving health care services is a top priority for our government," Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said.

“We are committed to addressing the urgent need for enhanced assisted living services across our growing province. I look forward to working alongside the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services to bring Albertans more options and the high quality of care they need close to home."

‘Stoke even more chaos’

Friends of Medicare, an advocacy group that fights to protect public health care in Alberta, says the establishment of another health agency in the province will not help the situation at all.

“We’ve seen nothing from this government to suggest that the creation of an entirely new agency, siloed from the other pillars of health care, will in any way improve continuing care in our province,” said Chris Gallaway, executive director of Friends of Medicare, in a statement.

“Instead, we’re seeing this government stoke even more chaos at a moment when so many Albertans are already struggling to navigate our increasingly complex health care system and access the care they need and deserve.”

The group cited two reports that suggested Alberta’s long-term care system is suffering from “severe” staff shortages and the number of cases of abuse in continuing care settings tripled in 2024.

The group says it’s also concerned about Premier Danielle Smith’s thoughts on privatizing continuing care.

“We have seen the systematic privatization of Alberta’s continuing care system to for-profit operators, at the direct expense of seniors and the people who care for them,” Gallaway said.

“Today’s announcement continues to allow private corporations to profit off of the care needs of Albertans, with absolutely no accountability to the public or their workers.”

Assisted Living Alberta is the fourth and final new provincial health agency, joining Recovery Alberta, which began operations in September 2024, Primary Care, which will begin operations on Feb. 1, and Acute Care.

The provincial government has opened an online survey for Albertans to share their thoughts about continuing care.

“Albertans' insights and perspectives will help lead the way in improving the system to ensure it meets Alberta’s needs today and for generations to come,” officials said.

The survey will be open from Jan. 30 to March 3.