During the previous holiday season, 92-year-old Jack MacTavish was admitted to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary for treatment of congestive heart failure, a urinary tract infection, and later, pneumonia. At that time, he was residing in a seniors’ home in northwest Calgary with his 93-year-old wife, as shared by his daughter, Joan MacTavish.
Joan recounted that hospital staff approached her after weeks of care, informing her that her father would require transfer to a supportive living facility. She was requested to sign a form agreeing to a daily fee of nearly $70 while her father awaited an available spot outside the hospital.
Expressing her frustration and disappointment, Joan questioned the necessity of the fee, highlighting that her father was under the care of medical professionals in the hospital, a service that she believed should be covered by Alberta health care.
The Alberta government introduced the Alternative Level of Care (ALC) Accommodation Charge in 2015 for patients in hospitals who are stable and no longer in need of acute care but are awaiting placement in a continuing care facility. The daily fee, currently set at $69.20 for shared rooms, is intended to cover expenses comparable to those in a continuing care setting.
Joan emphasized that hospitals do not offer the same services as long-term care facilities and expressed her frustration at being penalized for her father’s extended stay due to a lack of available spaces. Health policy researcher Lorian Hardcastle acknowledged the public’s discontent, suggesting that better planning could have averted such situations.
The ALC charge in Alberta is perceived by some as a cost recovery measure and a deterrent for patients who could be cared for elsewhere. Experts argue that enhancing community care resources could facilitate the timely discharge of patients from hospitals.
While the ALC charge aims to manage patient flow, Joan remains dissatisfied, noting the decline in her father’s health during his hospital stay. The Alberta government has invested in expanding continuing care spaces to alleviate the strain on hospital beds and improve patient outcomes. Despite these efforts, challenges persist in coordinating care transitions effectively.
In conclusion, the imposition of fees on patients awaiting continuing care underscores broader issues in the healthcare system. Joan voiced her concerns over the lack of clarity regarding the charges, reflecting a sentiment shared by many families navigating similar circumstances.
