The Canadian assisted living (AL) sector supports older adults’ continued independence while offering services like meal preparation, housekeeping, recreation, and nursing and personal care. However, regulation of the sector is fragmented, affecting enforcement of legislation and care standards. This project compares regulatory approaches in two Canadian provinces, British Columbia and Ontario, to understand their impacts on care planning and integration. We began with a content analysis of AL legislation, regulation, and associated policies in Ontario and British Columbia (n=8) to compare regulatory models. Next, we will conduct 12 policymaker interviews to understand the rationale for selecting each model and implications for care. Data analysis will be guided by the indicators outlined in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Framework for Regulatory Policy Evaluation. Finally, stakeholders will be engaged in deliberative dialogue to draft policy options. Despite some overlap in services and target population, the two regulatory models conceptualized “care” differently. Regulations in British Columbia emphasized resident independence and framed AL as a form of supportive housing with little “care” provided. However, Ontario’s regulations focused on the medicalized care provided in AL homes, specifically, the care provided by regulated healthcare professionals. Overall, the regulations in both provinces are unclear about integrating care in assisted living with publicly funded health care services. The findings from this study will provide a better understanding of what types of services and care providers can be regulated most effectively in the assisted living sector to help ensure care quality and integration.

Authors:
Krystal Kehoe MacLeod, University of Ottawa, Canada
Eunice Hammond, Bruyere Research Institute, Canada
Peter Tanuseputro, Bruyere Research Institute, Canada

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Krystal Kehoe MacLeod is a University Postdoctoral Fellow or Instructor at University of Ottawa in Canada

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