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Preamble:
WHEREAS the Continuing Care Act regulates the full spectrum of continuing care services in Alberta; and
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta has set standards for quality in continuing care, including the Continuing Care Health Services Standard, which establishes minimum standards for the provision of high quality, individualized health care, based on the assessed needs of each client and resident; and
WHEREAS Alberta does not currently have a legislated minimum of direct care hours per resident per day; and
WHEREAS a legislated minimum of four hours of direct care per resident per day would create a consistent, enforceable baseline while allowing additional staffing based on resident needs; and
WHEREAS Alberta does not currently require minimum staff-to-resident ratios for registered nurses or health care aides, and staffing may therefore vary significantly between facilities regardless of resident complexity; and
WHEREAS legislated minimum ratios would support timely care, resident safety, and more consistent staffing across the province; and
WHEREAS complaints involving abuse, neglect, and non-compliance may involve both the Continuing Care Licensing Office and Protection for Persons in Care; and
WHEREAS these separate processes can result in confusion, delays, and gaps in communication or follow-up; and
WHEREAS stronger coordination, information sharing, and enforcement would improve accountability and ensure concerns are addressed consistently; and
WHEREAS repeated non-compliance may continue when corrective actions do not lead to meaningful consequences, and enforcement should become stronger when violations are serious, recurring, or remain unresolved; and
WHEREAS escalating penalties could include fines, increased monitoring, and potential license restrictions or suspension;
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) advocate to the Government of Alberta (GOA) to strengthen continuing care standards in the Continuing Care Act by legislating a minimum of four hours of direct care per resident per day in continuing care homes;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the RMA advocate to the GOA to establish minimum staff-to-resident ratios for registered nurses and health care aides; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the RMA advocate to the GOA to improve collaboration, investigation, and enforcement processes between the Continuing Care Licensing Office and Protection for Persons in Care; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the RMA advocate to the GOA to establish escalating penalties for serious or repeated non-compliance with continuing care standards.
Member Background:
Community organizations, service providers, and other agencies across rural southern Alberta have reported an increasing number of concerns related to neglect, abuse, and unmet care needs in continuing care homes.
As these agencies shared emerging trends with the Southern Alberta Senior Protect Society, it became increasingly apparent that the concerns were not isolated to individual facilities or communities but reflected broader systemic challenges within continuing care.
Senior Protect brought together agencies and community partners to examine these concerns further and has since worked with residents, families, staff, and service providers to document issues, support navigation of complaint and reporting processes, and identify gaps in the current system.
This work has highlighted recurring concerns related to staffing capacity, insufficient direct-care time, fragmented investigation and oversight processes, and limited consequences for repeated non-compliance.
Legislated Minimum Care Hours
Alberta previously required 1.9 hours of nursing and personal care per resident per day. The Continuing Care Act introduced in April 2024 removed mandated minimum care hours, leaving staffing levels to operator-specific plans. Continuing care homes no longer have a legal requirement to deliver a set amount of care per resident. The new funding model for Type A continuing care homes is intended to support flexible, person-centered care. A legislated minimum of four hours of direct care per resident per day would create a consistent, enforceable baseline while allowing additional staffing based on resident needs.
Minimum Staff-to-Resident Ratios
Alberta does not currently require minimum staff-to-resident ratios for registered nurses or health care aides. Staffing may therefore vary significantly between facilities, regardless of resident complexity. Legislated minimum ratios would support timely care, resident safety, and more consistent staffing across the province.
Strengthened Investigations and Oversight
Complaints involving abuse, neglect, and non-compliance may involve both the Continuing Care Licensing Office and Protection for Persons in Care. Separate processes can create confusion, delays, and gaps in communication or follow-up. Stronger coordination, information sharing, and enforcement would improve accountability and help ensure concerns are addressed consistently.
Escalating Penalties for Repeated Non-Compliance
Repeated non-compliance may continue when corrective actions do not lead to meaningful consequences. Enforcement should become stronger when violations are serious, recurring, or remain unresolved. Escalating penalties could include fines, increased monitoring, and potential license restrictions or suspension.
In conclusion, implementing these changes would require additional investment in Alberta’s continuing care system. However, the social and health-system return on that investment has the potential to be substantial.
Adequately staffed continuing care homes can better meet residents’ daily needs, identify health concerns earlier and prevent avoidable deterioration. When care needs are not met, the consequences can extend beyond the continuing care system, including emergency department visits, hospital admissions and longer hospital stays related to issues such as falls, dehydration, malnutrition, medication concerns, wounds and other potentially preventable complications.
Investing in continuing care should therefore be viewed not only as a cost, but as an opportunity to protect vulnerable Albertans while reducing avoidable pressures elsewhere in the health system. A stronger continuing care system ultimately supports residents, families, staff and the sustainability of Alberta’s broader health care system.
Resources:
Continuing Care Legislation and Standards in Alberta
https://www.alberta.ca/continuing-care-legislation-and-standards
4.1 Hours of Care Per Patient Per Day Benchmark
Organizations That Have Supported The 4-Hour Benchmark
Supporting Peer Reviewed Evidence
Public Compliance Reports
RMA Background:
10-24F: Full-Time (24/7) Home Care Support in Lodges/Supportive Living Accommodations
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate to the Government of Alberta to incentivize transportation and health care services to enable the provision of unscheduled home care for rural seniors, including those in supportive living accommodations.
Click here to view the full resolution.
10-23F: Enhancing Home Care Services for Rural Residents in Alberta
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate to the Government of Alberta to enhance home care services for rural residents by increasing funding, improving accessibility, implementing innovative care models such as community-based care tailored for rural settings, and other means.
Click here to view the full resolution.
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