June 2011 Bulletin

The Benefit Specialists Corp., in partnership with several insurance carriers, offers your employees the opportunity to convert their group benefits plan into your own Health and Dental plan after their employment ends.  It is important to note, that this new coverage will not necessarily be the same as their group benefits plan was, but they will have the ability to pick and choose the options that best suit them.

When applications are received after the deadline, medical evidence may be required, which in some cases, precludes ex-employees from receiving health and dental benefits. 

Long Term Care Options 

• provide room and board and offer a range of services from personal care with nursing supervision to skilled medical and nursing care.
• Fees are set by the government.
• Admission is based on a needs-assessment conducted by a representative of the Alberta Health Services Board.
• To be eligible for subsidized care, prospective residents must have lived in Alberta for three consecutive years at any time, or for one year previous to application and be a resident of Canada for 10 years or more.  They also must be eligible for registration with Alberta Health Care.
• Low income seniors may be eligible for financial assistance through the Alberta Seniors Benefit program.

Retirement Homes or Residences:

• Provides accommodation and services (like meals and cleaning services) for the elderly.  Private or semi-private rooms, or complete living suites are available, with added common living quarters including lounge areas, dining rooms, recreation rooms, social programs and basic health care services. 
• They are privately owned and operated- they are not administered by the Alberta Government.   
• Admission is decided by the home itself and is usually based on the ability to pay and the absence of serious medical conditions which would require professional nursing care.  

• Their aim is to "help seniors achieve and maintain health, well-being and personal independence in their own homes."
• RHAs, or Regional Health Authorities are responsible for home care. 
• Referrals for home care can come from families, friends and doctors.
• Once a referral is made, the RHA's staff assesses the needs of both the individual and the caregiver.   
• Professional health care services and personal care services are included. 
• Eligibility is based on residence in Alberta, Canadian citizenship, provincial health care coverage, and having a need that can be fulfilled by home professional health and support services
• Seniors with low incomes may be eligible for  financial assistance through the Alberta Seniors Benefit program.

• RHA resources are limited and as a result, many seniors have to rely on private home care services to ensure their needs are met. 
• These services include meal delivery, meal preparation, personal care, nursing, and palliative care.

• They provide a safe, caring and positive setting for the elderly and include snacks and lunch.
• They can be public or private, non-profit or for-profit.
• They provide the elderly time to enjoy both "mental and social encouragement and stimulation" and health care while giving caregivers a much needed break
• Candidates for adult day care are elderly persons who do are challenged either physically and/or cognitively, or are in the early stages of dementia but do not require 24-hour supervision.

Thanks to RBC for their in-depth analysis of Long Term Care Options in Alberta.   Their informational document entitled "Long Term Care Options in Alberta- 2010." For more information, please contact TBSC.