What is Type A care?

A Type A home provides onsite registered nurse and/or registered psychiatric nurse care, assessment, and treatment 24 hours a day. Licensed practical nurses may also be onsite, along with personal care and support from health care aides. Some Type A homes have a secure space. Some sites offer specialized programs for residents with complex clinical or functional care needs.

Staffing arrangements differ between continuing care homes, but your health care team is accessible in all types including on site, on call, or virtually.

Who it's for

Type A is for people who:

• have highly complex, unpredictable medical needs, including chronic disease management
• experience serious changes in health care needs requiring unscheduled registered nurse assessment and intervention
• need complex medication management and other treatments delivered by a registered nurse
• have health conditions requiring rehabilitation or dietary professional assessment and intervention
• have complex nutritional needs, including diet or texture requirements
• have unpredictable behaviour, including increased safety risks to themselves or others
• need extensive assistance with all aspects of daily activities, including grooming, hygiene, eating, transfers, and mobility
• be unable to use a call system to get help

A Case Manager assesses this with you. You don't self-select a type.

Who provides your care

• Health care aides are onsite 24 hours a day, providing support and personal care according to your care plan
• Registered nurses are onsite to support care needs
• Other health professionals such as occupational therapists, pharmacists, and recreational therapists are available depending on your needs
• Medical care is provided by your own physician or nurse practitioner, or by a site-designated physician or nurse practitioner who visits regularly

Coverage in care

There is a cost for accommodation and extra services. Accommodation fees will not exceed the maximum amounts set by the Government of Alberta. Additional costs vary between sites.

Learn more about coverage in care and the financial supports available: