Media Statement: $115 Million Investment In Long-Term Care To Increase Staffing And Improve Infection Control
Aug 24, 2022The Alberta Continuing Care Association (ACCA) welcomes the announcement of the Government of
Canada’s Safe Long-Term Care Fund (SLTC) and the investment of $115 million in Alberta long-term care (LTC). As the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted, there are gaps to be addressed in infection prevention and control, as well as staffing, to help improve the quality of life for Albertans living in care.
“Today’s announcement by the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada’s Minister of Health, will help
long-term care operators continue to address key issues such as wage top-ups to increase health care
aide staffing levels,” says Wayne Morishita, Executive Director, Alberta Continuing Care Association.
“Working together, we can make meaningful changes that help to ensure Albertans receive the highest level of care.”
The SLTCF has helped provinces and territories to improve infection prevention and control in LTC
homes across the country. Taken together with the significant investment by the provincial government to date, Alberta’s LTC sector will be able to build on existing projects in their homes to further support:
- Wage top-ups to increase health care aide staffing levels;
- Additional staff to enhance screening and cleaning protocols to reduce the spread of COVID-19
and other infections; - Adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff and visitors; and
- Reduced occupancy within shared rooms to lower the risk of infection between residents.
About Alberta Continuing Care Association - ACCA members include both non-profit and private,
independent owners and operators across the spectrum of continuing care, including home care,
designated supportive living, and long-term care. We provide care and services for over 12,000 longterm care and designated supportive living individuals and over 5.7 million hours of home care to
Albertans.
Contact: Wayne Morishita, Executive Director, 780.435.0699 www.ab-cca.ca