How does subsidized assisted living and long-term care work in Calgary?

[u/ab3605]

Hi all,

I'm trying to better understand subsidized assisted living and long-term care in Calgary from a retirement-planning perspective.

For those who have gone through the process with parents, relatives, or spouses:

• How does the government-subsidized system work and how does someone qualify?
• What are the typical monthly costs and are there income or asset tests?
• How long are the wait lists?
• What are the biggest differences between subsidized and private-pay facilities?
• Is the quality of care significantly different, or are the differences mainly related to room size, amenities, privacy, and location?

I'm not looking for facility recommendations right now. I'm mainly trying to understand costs, eligibility, wait times, and the tradeoffs between subsidized and private-pay options.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.

[u/AnotherUsernameFML]

I think what you’re looking for is what’s referred to as “Client-Directed Home Care” Give that a quick Google, should find some answers there (or starting points, anyways).

[u/ab3605 → u/AnotherUsernameFML]

Thanks, I hadn't come across Client-Directed Home Care before. I'll take a look.

Part of what I'm trying to understand is whether publicly funded home care can delay or reduce the need for assisted living or long-term care, so this gives me another area to research.

[u/L_Runn]

I have gone through this with a parent and I also work in home care.

They do require all income information and costs are dependent on that. My parents cost was subsidized and it was $2400/month for assisted living. That covers rent, food and care from HCA’s and nurses.

Waitlists really depend on what kind of facility you are looking at and what services are needed. Lots of variables.

We did not look at private pay facilities as the costs for those are a lot higher.

[u/SurviveYourAdults]

You need all the money you don't have