Alberta to spend $180M on more continuing care beds

The Alberta government is asking for proposals to create more continuing care spaces, the latest move to free up beds in the provinces crowded hospitals.

• Long-term care, supportive living and home care how do they differ?

Premier Jim Prentice announced onMonday that the province has issued arequest for proposals through the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative (ASLI).

The program is designed to help people whose health care needs mean they can no longer stay in their own home.About 700 Alberta seniors are currently in hospital awaiting placement in long-term and continuing care facilities.

The Alberta government would provide a grant, through ASLI, to cover about half the capital cost of creating the new spaces.The money, $180 million, has already been set aside in the provincial budget for the projects.

The plan is to target parts of the province that show a need for the 1,500 spaces. Thats in addition to the 464 continuing care spaces that will be opened over the next year.