Alberta Government Unveils Digital Tool to Navigate Assisted Living Options
The Government of Alberta has launched a new online resource designed to help families and patients explore assisted living and continuing care facilities throughout the province. The Assisted Living Navigation Portal serves as a centralized platform where Albertans can access detailed information about availability, fees, and services offered by various care providers.
One-Stop Shop for Informed Decisions
Premier Danielle Smith announced the portal on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, emphasizing its role as a comprehensive tool for making informed healthcare choices. "It makes everything from fees and services to availability clear and easy to understand," Smith stated during the launch event in Calgary. She was joined by key figures including Feisal Keshavjee, chair of the Alberta Continuing Care Association, Dr. Sayeh Zielke, executive chair of Assisted Living Alberta, and Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services.
The premier highlighted that the portal addresses broader systemic challenges within Alberta's healthcare system. "The healthcare system is confusing to navigate, and everyone suffers the consequences," she explained. Smith revealed plans to expand the portal in the near future to include home and community care supports, aligning with a shift toward European-style long-term care models. "We're looking to Scandinavia for inspiration, particularly Sweden's universal, decentralized system that prioritizes user choice and person-centered care," she added, noting an upcoming trade mission to Sweden to study these approaches further.
Addressing Demographic Shifts and Capacity Issues
Minister Jason Nixon underscored the urgency of improving assisted living services given Alberta's aging population. "Right now, Alberta is home to over 865,000 seniors. By 2035, Alberta will be home to more than 1 million seniors. And in 20 years, one in five Albertans will be a senior," Nixon said. He emphasized that assisted living is a critical component of the province's healthcare strategy, aimed at keeping individuals out of hospitals when acute care is no longer necessary.
The province has adopted a multifaceted approach to enhance care options, including:
- Strengthening home care and non-medical supports
- Collaborating with healthcare providers to reduce hospital bed occupancy
- Implementing initiatives that transition patients to appropriate community-based care
Nixon cited a recent success in Calgary, where collaboration between Assisted Living Alberta, Alberta Health Services, and continuing care operators led to a 23 per cent reduction in hospital beds occupied by patients who no longer required acute care. This achievement builds on a province-wide reduction of over 20 per cent in Alternate Level of Care cases since September.
Practical Solutions Over Ideology
Premier Smith concluded by stressing the importance of practicality in healthcare reform. "At the end of the day, practicality is more important than ideology, and the system should work for the people it serves," she remarked. The new portal represents a step toward simplifying the complex landscape of continuing care, empowering families with the information needed to make the best decisions for their loved ones.
As Alberta's population continues to grow and age, tools like the Assisted Living Navigation Portal are expected to play a vital role in ensuring accessible and transparent healthcare options for all residents.
