Non Partisan Association

The NPA's senior care strategy centers on enabling Albertans to age with dignity and independence. Research consistently demonstrates that seniors who receive appropriate support in their preferred living environment—typically their own homes—experience better health outcomes and higher quality of life.

Enhanced Alberta Seniors Benefit

Fixed-income seniors face compounding financial pressures as costs rise across all essential categories. The current Alberta Seniors Benefit requires substantial enhancement to address these affordability challenges effectively.

Expense Category	Challenge
Housing & Property Tax	Rising assessments on fixed income
Utilities & Heating	Energy costs outpace benefit adjustments
Food & Groceries	Nutritional needs vs. budget constraints
Transportation	Mobility access for appointments and services
Medical Supplies	Out-of-pocket costs not covered elsewhere

An enhanced benefit would ensure seniors can meet their basic needs without impossible trade-offs between essentials.

Expanded Nurse Practitioner Home Care

Aging in place—remaining in one's own home—is the preferred option for most seniors and yields demonstrably better outcomes than institutional care. The NPA proposes significant expansion of home-based healthcare through Nurse Practitioner deployment.

Clinical benefits include:

• Continuous chronic disease monitoring and management
• Medication review and optimization
• Early intervention for emerging health concerns
• Coordination with specialists and hospital systems

System-wide benefits include:

• Reduced emergency department utilization for non-emergent care
• Decreased hospital readmission rates
• Professional support and respite for family caregivers
• Delayed or avoided institutional placement

Universal Pharmacare

Seniors typically require multiple prescription medications to manage chronic conditions, creating substantial ongoing financial burden. The NPA's pharmacare proposal would eliminate these costs entirely.

For comprehensive policy details, see our Healthcare Policy Framework.