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Minister of Health Jason Copping. (Government of Alberta)

Alberta government providing relief from high inflation for residents in continuing care

Apr 6, 2022 | 3:15 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The province is providing some relief for continuing care residents.

Alberta’s government aims to reduce the impact of high inflation on continuing care residents by paying the first three months of this year’s annual increase in accommodation charges for them.

The province will provide $10.4 million to continuing care operators, on behalf of residents, to offset one-quarter of this year’s increase in accommodation charges for Albertans in long-term care and designated supported living.

Operators are allowed by legislation to raise accommodation rates each July 1 by the rate of inflation over the previous year. This year’s increase will be 5.5 per cent. The government will pay operators directly for the increase for July 1 to September 30.

Minister of Health Jason Copping said, “this year’s inflation rate is unusually high, and passing it on in full would be an undue strain on continuing care residents and families.”

“Giving them a break is the right thing to do. At the same time, operators are also being impacted by inflation.”

Copping added that the province will look at options to reduce the strain on residents beyond September 30 while ensuring operators have the revenue they need to maintain services.