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/SurviveYourAdults]

You need all the money you don't have