How to Get Started with Home Care in Alberta

If you believe you or your loved one may benefit from home care, the first step is to contact Alberta Health Services Continuing Care. There are several ways to do this:

Once Alberta Health Services receives your referral, a Continuing Care Case Manager will contact you to arrange an assessment. Depending on your circumstances, this assessment may take place:

• In your home
• In the hospital before discharge
• Occasionally by telephone for initial screening
• In another healthcare setting if appropriate

The exact timeline varies depending on urgency, your location, and current demand within Alberta Health Services.

Many families hear the term "case manager" without really knowing what that means.

Think of your Case Manager as the healthcare professional responsible for coordinating your publicly funded home care services. Depending on your situation, your Case Manager may be a Registered Nurse, Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, or another qualified healthcare professional within Alberta Health Services.

Their role isn't simply to approve or deny services. They're there to understand your situation, assess your needs, develop an appropriate care plan, and help connect you with services that support your health, safety, and independence.

Throughout your home care journey, your Case Manager continues to be an important point of contact if your needs change over time.

Many people worry they're about to be "tested."

Fortunately, that's not what happens.

The assessment is simply a conversation about your everyday life. Your Case Manager wants to understand how you're managing at home — not just medically, but functionally.

They may ask questions such as:

• Can you safely get out of bed on your own?
• Are stairs becoming difficult?
• Have you fallen recently?
• How do you manage bathing?
• Can you prepare meals?
• Are medications being taken correctly?
• Are you forgetting appointments?
• Do you have family nearby?
• Who currently helps you?
• How is your caregiver coping?

They'll also discuss your medical history, current diagnoses, medications, mobility, cognitive function, home environment, and personal goals.

Sometimes they'll observe you completing simple tasks, such as standing from a chair or walking through your home. This isn't a test — it's simply another way of understanding how you move safely in your own environment.

This may be the most important advice we can give.

Many older adults have spent their entire lives being independent.

They're proud of what they can still do.

So when someone asks, "How are you managing?" the automatic response is often, "I'm doing okay." Even when they're struggling.

Unfortunately, minimizing difficulties can sometimes result in your Case Manager not seeing the full picture. Remember, they're not looking for perfection — they're looking for an honest understanding of what daily life is really like.

Instead of describing your best day, describe your typical day.

Those details matter. Home care isn't just about whether you can complete a task — it's also about whether you can complete it safely, consistently, and without placing yourself or your caregiver at unnecessary risk.

There's no need to prepare extensively, but having a few things readily available can make the visit smoother.

Helpful information may include:

• A list of current medications
• Contact information for your family physician
• Recent hospital discharge information (if applicable)
• A list of questions you'd like to ask
• Information about any mobility equipment you use, such as walkers or wheelchairs
• Family members or caregivers who help regularly (if they'd like to participate)

If a family member is heavily involved in your care, it's often helpful for them to attend the assessment as well. They may notice challenges that you've become accustomed to or forgotten to mention.

One thing we've learned from working with families across Alberta is that many people wait too long before asking for help.

• Sometimes they don't want to be a burden.
• Sometimes they think someone else needs home care more than they do.
• Sometimes they assume they're "not bad enough yet."

The reality is that home care isn't only for people who are completely dependent on others. In fact, receiving support earlier can often help people remain independent for longer — by preventing falls, reducing caregiver burnout, maintaining routines, and addressing small challenges before they become much bigger ones.