Strathmore targeted for new continuing care funding

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Strathmore could expand its continuing care capacity following a funding announcement by the provincial government.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is requesting proposals from new and existing continuing care operators to provide new publicly-funding spaces not requiring additional capital investment, it was announced on Sept. 1. Continuing care is a term encompassing home care, supportive living, long-term care, and hospice and end-of-life care.

The average wait for a move into a continuing care facility in Alberta was 54 days in 2019-20. There are 400 Albertans waiting in acute care for a spot in continuing care, according to a provincial government news release. 

Strathmore is listed as one of 31 Alberta communities most in need of continuing care spaces based on current and projected demand and supply, demographics and health-care utilization. Interested operators can submit proposals through an expression of interest process if they have capacity to operate new continuing care spaces, under contract with AHS.

However, Meadowlark Senior Care Home would not qualify for the funding, said its owner and operator, Debbie Wakelam, in an email. AgeCare Sagewood was contacted regarding the organization’s eligibility, but no response was provided.

Wheatland Housing Management Board (WHMB) will discuss the funding announcement at its next board meeting, said chairperson Glenn Koester.

“We do not know if (it) will work out, because there is no capital funding attached to this,” said Town of Strathmore Councillor Denise Peterson, another WHMB member, during the town’s Sept. 2 council meeting. “But we do believe that there are opportunities for our community in this process.”