Create advisory councils

Seniors’ care facilities are actually small communities and the residents are its citizens. As such, the residents and their families have a democratic right to a say in how these communities are run.

The problems of Alberta’s seniors care facilities cannot all be solved by the top-down imposition of standards and managerial policies. Problems peculiar to a facility should be solved by those closest to and most affected by the situation.

The government must commit to requiring meaningful resident/family advisory councils in all seniors care facilities, where the resident/family representatives are in the majority, to ensure that these facilities become more responsive to residents’ needs.

PIA's Seniors Task Force has identified five steps that would significantly improve conditions for Alberta seniors:

1. Provide quality public home care
2. Ensure quality, affordable long-term care (LTC) facilities
3. A moratorium on converting LTC facilities to assisted living
4. Create advisory councils in all seniors care facilities
5. Appoint an Independent Seniors Advocate