The Alberta Government issued the following news release today regarding inflationary increases to accommodation charges in long-term care homes.
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There will be more guaranteed disposable income supports for seniors in continuing care facilities as inflationary increases to accommodation charges come into effect.
Starting on July 1 and over each of the next two years, maximum accommodation charges for long-term care and designated supportive living residences will rise by three per cent, or the annual increase in the Alberta Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is higher.
Beginning on July 1, 2017, annual accommodation charge adjustments will be based solely on inflation as reflected by Alberta’s CPI.[quote name=”Dave Quest, Associate Minister of Seniors” pull=”right”]Introducing predictable accommodation charge adjustments means that residents, families will be able to plan ahead for future needs and care providers will be able to keep pace with inflation[/quote]
Increases to the accommodation charges will apply only to continuing care centres. Seniors lodges will continue to determine their own charge structure.
In conjunction with charge increases, the Alberta government is also increasing accommodation-related financial supports for designated supportive living and long-term care residents who are clients of the Alberta Seniors Benefit program effective July 1. Guaranteed disposable income for residents of these facilities will include an additional $50 a month up to $315, which ranks Alberta’s monthly allowance among the highest in Canada.
Residents of seniors lodges will see identical increases to disposable income under the Alberta Housing Act.
“Introducing predictable accommodation charge adjustments means that residents, families will be able to plan ahead for future needs and care providers will be able to keep pace with inflation. As these changes come into effect, the Alberta government will continue to support residents by providing a higher level of guaranteed disposable income.”
Dave Quest, Associate Minister of Seniors
“We are committed to providing our seniors with safe, affordable housing and ensuring they have the best quality of life possible. The increase in guaranteed disposable income for lodge residents ensures these seniors, regardless of whether they live in lodges, long-term care or designated supportive living, have more spending money for their daily needs.”
Greg Weadick, Acting Minister of Municipal Affairs
Accommodation charges cover a resident’s room and board, including housekeeping services, utilities and routine building maintenance. Government will continue to provide health care funding, while the costs of accommodation will remain the responsibility of residents.
Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta’s resources to ensure we’re able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.
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In a separate note, the Alberta Deputy Minister of Health provided a chart to care providers [see graph] and stated:
“In order to assist in covering cost increases to services such as food and lodging incurred by providers over the past few years, I am writing to advise you that effective July 1, 2014, the maximum long-term care and designated supportive living accommodation charges will increase by three per cent. Accommodation charges will increase in 2015 and 2016 by three per cent or the Consumer Price Index for Alberta, whichever is higher. Beginning in 2017, the accommodation charge will increase yearly based on the Consumer Price Index to keep pace with inflation moving forward.”
