In response to the Auditor General’s report, the provincial government has been emphasizing the establishment of revised standards of care for seniors in long-term care settings. While important, such standards will only be effective if they are implemented along with rigorous regulations, monitoring and enforcement.

Because of the diversity of continuing care settings for seniors, the problems associated with monitoring and enforcement cannot feasibly be applied with a one-size-fits-all, top-down approach.

What is required are mechanisms which allow for monitoring and enforcement at the community and institutional level and which provide a way for the people most affected by the decisions to participate actively in the process.

For this reason, Public Interest Alberta is advocating for the government to legislate the creation of mandatory Advisory Councils in all seniors care facilities that receive any form of government funding, including capital or operating costs.

The government introduced a similar model in our public and separate school systems in the 1990s, through mandated school councils which allow for parent and community involvement in the education system.

Each facility Advisory Council would be made up of representatives of the residents of the facility and their family members. These two groups together should constitute a majority on the Advisory Council. The balance of each council would be made up of representatives of the administrative, medical and support staff of each facility and at least one representative of the community in which a facility is located.

The Advisory Council would be mandated to monitor the policies and procedures of the facility and provide advice by recommending proposed changes. Equally important is the monitoring of complaints and concerns arising within the facility. They would also have a role in advising on the facility’s budget.

In order to effectively carry out this mandate, each Advisory Council must be given access to government standards on the care and accommodation of seniors as well as the policies, procedures and budget of the institution. Its monitoring role would also require access to all complaints regarding the facility.

We want action now:
The provincial government must mandate the establishment of Advisory Councils in all seniors care facilities that receive any form of government funding.

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