Alberta government shifts continuing care from Health to Seniors Ministry

The Alberta government has announced that long-term care and supportive living programs will no longer fall under the provincial Health Ministry, as part of its ongoing restructuring of Alberta’s health-care system.

Instead, responsibility for continuing care programs will move to Seniors and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon, the province confirmed Friday. The change is part of Premier Danielle Smith’s plan to divide Alberta Health Services (AHS) into four new agencies, each handling specific aspects of health care. One of these agencies will focus exclusively on continuing care, which includes services for seniors and individuals requiring long-term medical support.

Minister Jason Nixon said the details of the new agency - including its name, mandate, and launch date - are still being finalized. “This transition will ensure Alberta’s seniors receive focused and responsive care, supported by a system that understands their unique needs,” Nixon said.

Earlier this week, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange introduced Primary Care Alberta, the agency now responsible for overseeing family physicians and nurse practitioners. Another agency, Recovery Alberta, has already taken charge of the mental health and addictions portfolio previously managed by AHS.

The restructuring marks one of the biggest changes to Alberta’s health-care administration in decades, with the government promising that the overhaul will improve patient access and reduce bureaucracy. However, health policy experts and senior advocacy groups say the transition must be handled carefully to avoid confusion and service disruptions - particularly for families relying on long-term and assisted living programs in cities such as Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer.