Carewest Colonel Belcher is a 175  private bed Long Term Care Centre which is designed specifically for individuals with complex, unpredictable medical needs whose care cannot be safely provided in their own home or in supportive living. Each room has its own bathroom with a wheelchair accessible shower. 

How To Access Colonel Belcher Long Term Care and Supportive Living

Anyone living in Alberta with a valid health care card can receive these services if the assessment of care needs indicates that these services are required. 

To access the services speak with your Home Care Coordinator (if you are a Home Care client), call Health Link at 811 or Community Care Access at 403-943-1920. The health professional will arrange for an assessment to determine if long term care, supportive living or an alternate level of care is required.  No referral is necessary. A friend or family member can also call for you. For individuals in the hospital, the staff will contact the hospital Transition Coordinator to arrange for an assessment.

Designated Beds for Veterans

135 of the 175 beds at Carewest Colonel Belcher are designated priority access for: 

• Second World  War and Korean War veterans who served overseas, 
• Low-income veterans 
• Veterans who have a disability related to their war service.   

With a new agreement in 2021 there is now additional access to 

• 30 preferred beds for the following: 
• Veterans who served in Canada during WWII 
• Canadian Armed Forces Veterans
• Allied veterans. 

Designated Beds for Complex Mental Health 

29 of the 175 beds at Carewest Colonel Belcher are home for residents with a primary or secondary diagnosis of a mental health disorder and who are eligible for LTC level of care. There are 15 residents on the first floor secured unit and 14 residents on the unsecured floor, each population is housed in separate neighborhoods. 

First Floor

The first floor is a secured dementia unit that is home to 75 residents with moderate to late stages of cognitive impairment and 15 residents with complex mental health needs. Both populations are housed in separate secured neighborhoods.  

Second Floor 

The second floor is home to 71 residents who are physically frail, medically complex and in many cases developing early cognitive impairment and 14 residents with complex mental health needs Each population is housed in separate neighborhoods.  One bed on the second floor is designated as a short stay respite bed for physically frail, medically complex seniors living in the community. 

Long  term care is for individuals who have:

• Serious changes in health status requiring immediate health professional assessment 
• A need for medical management and other treatments
• Conditions requiring the continued presence of a Registered Nurse and the consultative availability of rehabilitation or dietary professionals
• Unpredictable or unstable behavior that places the individual or others at risk
• Complex end of life care needs

Complex Mental Health is for individuals who have:

• Mental Health diagnosis, requiring structure to manage behaviours and eligible for LTC level of care. 
• Requires 24 hour nursing care in addition to other therapeutic supports not available in most Long Term Care Settings, such as mental health supports
• May have short term/long term memory loss requiring cueing 
• Mixed dementia on a case by case basis 

Who Provides Care in Long Term Care and Complex Mental Health

• Registered Nurses supervise all care, professional nursing services may be provided by Licensed Practical Nurses. 
• There is 24 hr onsite (unscheduled and scheduled) personal care and support provided by Health Care Aides
• Other healthcare professionals, including mental health professionals  are available depending on the assessed needs.

Care Funding 

The Alberta Government pays the “care” portion of all long-term care services. Care funding covers the professional and support staff, supplies and medications, personal care services, emergency transportation and special equipment needs.

Accommodation Fees 

The Alberta Government also regulates the Accommodation Rates (payable by the resident through their accommodation fees) for long-term care and supportive-living environments. Services funded through accommodation fees pay for the room and hospitality services that include building operations and maintenance, meals and meal services, housekeeping supplies and services, laundering of towels and linens, utilities and also social and leisure activities.

Carewest Supportive Living DSL4  (also known as Designated Supportive Living) at Chartwell Colonel Belcher Seniors Residence

Carewest  has 30 contracted beds at Chartwell Colonel Belcher Seniors Residence (the operator next door to Colonel Belcher)  to provide a Supportive Living Program  in their facility

Colonel Belcher DSL4 is for individuals who:

• Have more complex medical needs that are predictable and safely managed with onsite, professional nursing (LPN level) and the direction of a case manager. 
• Must be able to move independently or with the assistance of one person.
• May require chronic disease management
• May require the following types of assistance:

                    Complete meal assistance including tube feeds

                    Medication assistance or administration

Designated DSL4 Beds for Veterans

20 of the 30  beds are designated for preferred access for Veterans.

Who Provides Care for DSL4:

• Health Care Aides are on site 24 hours a day to provide support, personal care, and medication assistance.
• Depending on needs, scheduled professional care (nursing, rehabilitation therapy etc.) will be provided through Home Care and coordinated by the Case Manager.
• This program also has a Registered Nurse on three day shifts per week which is unique to this program. 

Care Funding 

The  Alberta Government pays for the health care. Financial assistance for medical equipment and health care supplies may be available from Alberta Aids to Daily Living. 

Accommodation Fees

The resident pays for room and board, personal expenses such as laundry and medications. 

Funding for Veterans

Veterans may qualify for financial assistance for the accommodation fees from Veterans Affairs.