Families of dementia patients pitch alternative to large care homes ahead of Alberta budget

The long-term care home is so small, it could be mistaken for a large suburban house.

Ten beds, a kitchen and a shared living room — this is emerging as one key option for reforming Alberta’s pandemic-battered elder-care system.

Many families of dementia patients are now behind the concept, and the government’s own expert panel last May recommended 10 per cent of any new builds use this tiny concept. That would be a projected 1,600 new beds in small-scale facilities by 2030.

They’re hoping for a sign these beds are coming in the provincial budget Thursday. 

Lisa Poole has an image in her mind of one moment