February 16, 2021

Premier , Office of the Premier, Executive Branch 307 Legislature Building 10800 - 97 Ave., , AB T5K 2B6 (Sent via email, original to follow by mail)

Dear Premier Kenney,

We recently received a reply to our December 7th letter, addressed to Minister , which detailed concerns over the province’s oversights in not prioritizing vaccinations for seniors and staff members in Licensed Supportive Living. We felt that the response did not specifically respond to our questions, nor acknowledge the need for a transparent provincial vaccination plan while awaiting delivery of supply.

While ASCHA’s members recognize that the reduction in COVID-19 vaccination supply has placed unintended pressure on proceeding with the vaccination roll-out, the seniors housing sector does not feel heard by your government, as Licensed Supportive Living remains omitted from the prioritization phases. Seniors living in Licensed Supportive Living have been identified by your government as the same vulnerable population as those in Designated Supportive Living and Long Term Care since the beginning of the pandemic.

We felt it necessary to further clarify the issue and our members’ concerns for your careful consideration:

1. The Province has not articulated a clear plan for when seniors and staff in Licensed Supportive Living will be included in vaccine prioritization. Congregate seniors living settings require the same heightened outbreak prevention protocols to prevent deaths as Long Term Care. Vaccination should be part of preventative measures and prioritized accordingly. This is not about controlling spread, as in the general population. This is about saving lives, as our clients are the most at risk for fatalities from this virus.

2. On the Government of website, there is a commitment to “protect residents at congregate care facilities,” stating that Licensed Supportive Living and Long-Term Care settings are being prioritized. This is actually not happening. Only Designated Licensed Supportive Living (DSL) (settings under contract to Alberta Health Services) and Long-Term Care (LTC) (only those under contract to Alberta Health Services) have been included in the plan. This public messaging is misleading, as residents and families have seen this promise and then are told that, because of technicalities and the government’s interpretation of terminology, they do not qualify.

3. Residents living in Licensed Supportive Living have been under the exact same Chief Medical Officer of Health Orders as DSL and LTC since the onset of the pandemic, and are subject to the same restrictions as sites with Alberta Health Services contracts. To exclude residents and staff from receiving vaccinations is a confusing and frustrating approach for many. Seniors do not understand why the person in the unit next door to them has received a vaccination and they have not. At the same time, there is no indication as to when they can expect to receive the vaccine. The analogy of “you cannot chlorinate half the pool and expect success” applies here. Everyone on site must be vaccinated at the same time, regardless of age, the level of services they require, and who provides those services.

4. While the average age of residents in DSL and LTC is 84, residents in Licensed Supportive Living have an average age of 90 (based on a sample survey of 8500 residents). Many have similar co-morbidities as those in DSL. It is a misconception that those in DSL are “sicker” or “more frail.” The likelihood of fatality from the virus is identical in both the Licensed Supportive Living, DSL and LTC populations due to age and pre-existing medical conditions.

5. Licensed Supportive Living is a congregate living environment with communal areas, communal dining rooms, communal staff rooms etc. It is imperative that everyone on site be vaccinated at the same time. Furthermore, it is not an effective not efficient use of resources, time, and limited vaccine supply to only vaccinate a proportion of those on site (those under AHS health care contracts or those over 75) and leave everyone else out. This is especially wasteful in rural settings where a mobile team is sent out to administer the vaccines to a small ratio of individuals residing and working in the building.

6. The rollout plan for vaccinations has been implemented using a piecemeal approach across the entire province. Consistency and thoroughness needs to be in place to ensure the safety of all residents in Licensed Supportive Living, as well as the employees that take care of them.

With the following considerations now in mind, we once again request the following:

1. The members of ASCHA, and the residents and staff within our member sites, call for a transparent prioritization plan, where residents and staff in Licensed Supportive Living are directly specified therein, and that this plan be released to the public.

2. We ask for confirmation and reassurance that all residents and staff in one building be vaccinated on site, at the same time, to ensure optimal safety and reduced risk for everyone.

We understand that actual rollout is contingent on having the vaccines in hand, and that is outside the province’s control for the time being. That being acknowledged, an articulated plan and consistent approach can be proactively and thoughtfully articulated, knowing that supplies are yet to arrive.

ASCHA stands with your government in an effort to be part of solutions to this issue. On behalf of the 600 buildings, 21,500 residents, and 45,000 employees in Licensed Supportive Living, as well as their families and loved ones, we ask that you include reference to Licensed Supportive Living, not just DSL, in your prioritization plan.

ASCHA’s objectives are to support the Government in protecting the most vulnerable Albertans. We encourage you to acknowledge the risk to seniors and employees in Licensed Supportive Living, and we wish to work together to advance all approaches that support the health and safety of Alberta’s seniors. We are at your service in this shared quest.

ASCHA Executive Director, Irene Martin-Lindsay can be reached at [email protected] or 780.906.7585 and will facilitate & coordinate any support you require.

Sincerely,

Raymond Swonek, CA, CIHCM President cc: Honourable Tyler Shanddro, Minister, Alberta Health Honourable Josephine Pon, Minister, Seniors and Housing Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer, Alberta Health All Members of the Legislative Assembly All ASCHA Members