The following definitions have been developed for the purposes of the Capital Funding Programs.

Affordable The basic rate (that includes three meals per day, housekeeping and linen laundry service, as well as an activities program), for a one bedroom unit cannot exceed the basic room rate set for a long-term care facility (as of Novermber 1, 2008, the current rate is $1,650 per month).

Aging in place Individuals are encouraged to remain in their community, as they grow older. Aging in place refers to people living as independently as possible, using products and services to enable them to stay in their communities as their needs change. Aging in place is especially applicable to the home and supportive living streams of the continuing care system.

Assisted living A supportive living facility that provides the managed delivery of health and personal care services within a residential environment or setting. Higher staffing levels in assisted living facilities enable health care and social support to be provided to residents with higher care needs offering an alternative to traditional long-term care.

Barrier-free The building and its facilities that can be approached, entered and used by persons with physical, mental or sensory disabilities.

Community A city, town, village or specialized municipality.

Continuing care A system of service delivery that provides individuals who have health conditions or special needs with access to services they need to experience independent and quality living. These services include professional services, personal care services and a range of other services. These services may be provided in a home setting, supportive living setting or facility setting.

Designated Assisted Living (DAL) A facility that typically serves residents with higher health needs, but who do not need the level of care provided in a long-term care facility. As a result, there may be more professional staff on site and special physical design features may be needed to better serve special populations. To address the higher care needs of their residents, designated assisted living operators will assume greater responsibility for supervising client safety, protecting clients, and providing personal care services. These responsibilities are met through a contractual arrangement with Alberta Health Services. Alberta Heatlh Services makes decisions on whether people can be admitted to or discharged from a designated assisted living space, depending on their assessed needs.

Design Standards and Guidelines for New Construction or Regeneration of Long-Term Care and Designated Assisted Living Facilities Building standards and guidelines developed by Alberta Health Services to direct the design of contracted facilities to provide continuity of care through buildings that enable delivery of a combination of two or more of: assisted living, designated assisted living, respite beds, adult day support programs, polyclinics, long-term care, hospice and even sub-acute care.

Eligible capital costs Capital costs that can be attributed directly to the development of affordable supportive living units in a project. Examples of eligible capital costs are land and servicing costs, construction costs, food and laundry equipment that serve the residents and some furniture and appliances.

Enhanced lodge A lodge that provides services beyond those currently provided in a traditional lodge. These additional services may include, but are not limited to personal care, medication assistance, and contracted home care based on the assessed needs of the residents. Some enhanced lodges may develop specialized areas in the facility to provide services for persons with dementia.

Foundation A management body operating lodge facilities.

Health care services Professional services that are generally delivered by licensed health care professionals such as physicians, registered nurses, and therapists, or by personal care aides under the supervision of health care professionals. This may include assessment of health needs, planning and coordination of care services, health monitoring, medication administration, observation of impact of medication, supervision and delivery of personal care, etc.

Ineligible capital costs Project capital costs that cannot be completely attributed to the development of a supportive living project. Examples of ineligible capital costs may include a medical clinic that serves both the community and the residents; food service area or restaurant that serves the community on a commercial basis; and, a handi-bus.

Local community group An organization established by the municipality, interested community members or religious organization and is generally considered a voluntary sector organization.

Local housing authority A housing organization that is not a management body, but is established and operated under contract with the Minister of Seniors and Community Supports and is generally bound by the Alberta Housing Act.

Lodge A congregate living setting that provides a private room, meals, housekeeping, linen laundry and life enrichment services for senior citizens who are functionally independent but are not capable of maintaining or do not desire to maintain their own home, including services that may be provided to them because of their circumstances. Services beyond these basic offerings may vary depending on the lodge and the community. Typically, lodges are administered by management bodies and operate under the Alberta Housing Act.

Long-term care accommodation A nursing home operated under the Nursing Homes Act or an auxiliary hospital operated under the Hospitals Act.

Management body A housing organization established by order by the Minister of Seniors and Community Supports under section 5 of the Alberta Housing Act. Management bodies are established to administer provincially owned and/or supported housing projects including lodges, enhanced lodges, seniors' apartments and family and special needs housing.

Personal care services The provision of a range of services that includes assistance with eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, grooming, basic skin care, transfers and mobility, medication assistance, etc.

Private sector organization A for-profit organization that is a sole proprietor and/or partnership and/or organization incorporated under the Companies Act or Business Corporations Act.

Private Residence Private Residence A property owned or leased (at least 22 years) by an individual or family member for the use of themselves and/or family members requiring a supportive living environment.

Project Needs Analysis Undertaking research that would include demographic analysis, income and related client information, and current housing options available in the community to assist in a determination of housing needs of seniors and special needs populations in the community.

Project Feasibility Study Undertaking research that would involve: securing community support of organizations that would be involved financially or in the delivery of services, undertaking financial costing analysis of the development and operation of a supportive living facility, and developing a grant application package for submission for capital grant funding.

Restrictive Covenant Is registered on title of the land to stipulate on a party buying or leasing the land that they must follow the terms of the grant agreement.

Safe and barrier-free design The provision of physical, visual, and aural design features that enable complete access and use of all areas in a building to persons with all ranges of physical and mental disabilities and to ensure their safety and security. Safe and barrier-free design is required for, but not limited to access ramps, rooms, bathing areas, doors and door hardware, washrooms, drinking fountains, telephones, elevators, signage, handrails, and accessible intercommunications systems.

Supportive Living Accommodation Standards Mandatory provincial standards to ensure the health, safety and well-being of individuals residing in public, voluntary or private organizations operating supportive living facilities in Alberta.

Supportive living A philosophy and an approach for providing services within a housing environment. It provides a home-like setting where people can maintain control over their lives while also receiving the support they need. The Government of Alberta has defined four levels of supportive living: residential level, lodge level, assisted living, and enhanced assisted living. These facilities offer increasing levels of hospitality and personal care support services to match the needs of residents. The buildings are specifically designed with common areas and features to allow individuals to "age in place." Building features include private space and a safe, secure and barrier-free environment. Supportive living promotes residents' independence and aging in place through the provision of services such as 24-hour monitoring, emergency response, security, meals, housekeeping, and life enrichment activities. Publicly funded personal care and health services are provided to supportive living residents based on their assessed, unmet needs.

Total initial capital costs Eligible capital costs needed to first make the project fully operational. It would not include capital costs incurred at a later date, such as major maintenance or replacement items (Also see Eligible capital costs).

Voluntary sector organization A non-profit organization incorporated under the Societies Act, Cooperatives Act, or Part 9 of the Companies Act, or a municipality.