As we get older, it’s important to do what we can to maintain our health and quality of life, and for many older persons, this maintenance is most easily achieved by enlisting the help of care services.

For those who live in Alberta, there are many different levels of care available for those who require moderate assistance in their day-to-day lives and for individuals who need constant care. Some retirement communities, like Seasons Retirement, offer DSL4 services as part of their offerings.

But what are the levels of care available for older adults, and which is the right option for you or your loved one? We’ll cover each tier of care below, including the healthcare services provided, the fees, and the benefits of using these assisted living services.

Direct access spaces

Two primary levels of care are available in Alberta: spaces accessed directly through the provider and spaces accessed through an AHS case manager. Note that these categories can be broken down further into detailed sub-tiers based on the type of care offered.

Our first main level, direct access spaces, are sites licensed by the Government of Alberta and offer a vast range of care services catered to each site.

The most common residences in this tier are senior lodges. Let’s examine these further below:

Types of care residences

Lodges

Lodges are a place of care for seniors aged 65 and older from lower-income households and are aimed at individuals who don’t require specialized health care. 

These homes provide meals, housekeeping, and recreational services to assist older ones while still allowing them to maintain their independence. 

Regarding fees, accommodation costs are determined by the individual operators of these homes, meaning they may vary in price from place to place.

These residences are ideal for older persons who aren’t struggling with serious health concerns but wish to reduce their responsibilities and simplify their daily tasks. If individuals who move into these homes want to enlist care services, they must be able to do so independently. 

AHS manager access spaces

The next main level of care available for older individuals is homes that AHS case managers access to provide either supported living services or long-term care. 

Three main sub-tiers for supportive living vary based on the needs of each resident, while long-term care is available for those with more special healthcare needs. Let’s examine each of these tiers below in further detail: 

Supportive living spaces

Most supportive living spaces are designated Supportive Living 3, Supportive Living 4, and DSL4D. 

Each of these tiers offers different custodial, medical, and recreational care based on how much care an older person requires at their current stage of life. Below, we’ll examine what each of these supportive living spaces offers and how their fees are calculated. 

Designated supportive living 3 (DSL3)

The first level of designated supportive living is DSL3, a service intended for older persons to assist them with their daily activities, such as housekeeping, preparing meals, providing accommodations, changing linens, and recreational services.

These homes are designed for older adults who require a minor level of health care services to be provided but are medically and physically stable. This type of home is ideal for older persons looking to slow down and pass on chores and home maintenance to another caretaker while still enjoying their free time on their terms. 

Should they require any medical assistance, there are Health Care Aides who are available 24/7 to provide help. 

Designated supportive living 4 (DSL4)

DSL4 is similar to DSL3 in that it provides care for seniors in a private, comfortable home where their housekeeping, meals, and other household tasks are handled by staff. 

The main difference between these two supportive living tiers is that DSL4 homes offer a more comprehensive range of medical care.

Those residing in a DSL4 home deal with more complex health issues that may require regular oversight, such as medication administration or chronic disease management.

DSL4D

DSL4D is geared toward older ones living with dementia or other medical conditions that require services like 24/7 professional nursing. 

This home placement is often utilized by those living with dementia. These residents may be prone to wandering or have unpredictable behaviours but are not at risk of endangering the livelihood of those caring for their needs.

Other medical needs for DSL4D residents include using a chair lift, feeding assistance, medication administration and chronic disease management.

Therefore, if you or your loved one require any of the assistance types mentioned above, a DSL4D home is an ideal placement for such circumstances.

Long-term care

Lastly, the final level of care available for older persons is long-term care. Unlike lodges and designated supportive living, which take place in fully-furnished homes, long-term care is provided in a government care centre where residents are accommodated with a single room. 

Older ones moving into long-term care have the option of a private or shared room and are provided with a bed, dresser, and closet. 

While these rooms are fully furnished, residents are encouraged to bring a couple of ornaments from their previous accommodations to feel more at home.

Long-term care is intended for people who cannot be looked after safely in their own homes or whose health needs are unpredictable and require close attention.

These individuals will receive 24/7 medical assistance and regular assessments from a registered nurse. 

While long-term care centres are more strict than designated supportive living or lodges, these residences generally still provide recreational and leisure activities that help older ones feel more independent and promote overall wellness.

Those moving to a long-term care centre can also be treated by their family doctor while in residence and receive assistance from family or other informal caregivers.

Conclusion

Several types of care services are offered to older adults that need them. However, it’s essential to take into account the individual needs of your loved ones to ensure that they’re taking up residence in a space that allows them to thrive. 

The best approach is to take proactive action, so research these individual options and contact your local retirement communities to learn more about what they offer!