At Carewest, we believe that our residents and clients can benefit not only from our skills and expertise, but from those of others. That’s why we have developed partnerships with a wide variety of organizations across all sectors, from the Alzheimer Society of Calgary to the Youth Volunteer Corp. We aim to provide the most current services available from those most appropriate, while sharing with others the valuable information and knowledge we have to offer.
Our partners include:
Alberta Health Services
While Carewest is its own entity, we are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alberta Health Services and work closely with them to help us define the shape of the care and services we provide for our residents, clients and their families. We pride ourselves on our ability to change with the community’s needs and work closely with AHS to predict what those needs may be in the future.
Alberta Health
Alberta Health sets policy and direction to achieve a sustainable and accountable health system, promote and protect the health of Albertans. Alberta Health is the ministry that sets policy, legislation and standards for the health system in Alberta. The ministry allocates health funding and administers provincial programs and services, which are delivered by Alberta Health Services. Some of those public health programs and services are provided in care centres operated by Carewest.
City of Calgary
The City of Calgary offers civic leadership to the city in which we operate. The City delivers hundreds of services, from police and fire services, to clearing our roads of ice and snow during Calgary winters.We partner with the city to provide the safest possible care for our residents and clients.
Institute for Continuing Care Education and Research (ICCER)
The Institute for Continuing Care Education and Research (ICCER) is a collaborative network of post-secondary institutions and continuing care provider organizations. Current members are: the University of Alberta, NorQuest College, Keyano College, Bow Valley College, Carewest, CapitalCare, Excel Society, Bethany Care Society, Lifestyle Options, Shepherd’s Care Foundation, St. Michael’s Health Group, Wing Kei Nursing Home Association and Extendicare. ICCER will provide an ideal environment to create synergies, resulting in leading edge research and evidence, and allowing for innovation and the implementation of best practices. ICCER aims to improve continuing care in Alberta by encouraging research, translating knowledge into better practice, enhancing education, and informing policy.
Alzheimer Society of Calgary
Through our Carewest Signal Pointe site, the Alzheimer Society of Calgary educates caregivers, families and residents about the disease and help families cope with the admission of their loved one into the care centre. Members of the society are also available on a “drop-in” basis for people in the community who would like information about dementia.
Calgary Health Foundation
The Calgary Health Foundation funds a range of Carewest programs and services including long-term care, rehabilitation and recovery services, and community programs. When you donate to Carewest through the Calgary Health Foundation, you help Carewest residents and clients maintain their quality of life, provide continuing care and rehabilitation services, and offer residential and support care services for those with complex medical and mental health needs.
Friends of the Colonel Belcher
The Friends of the Colonel Belcher (FOCB) is a volunteer organization established in the fall of 1998 to support efforts to enhance the quality of life of veterans at Carewest Colonel Belcher care centre. The FOCB, in partnership with the Calgary Health Trust, raised over $2 million to provide amenities that enhance the quality of life for residents of Carewest Colonel Belcher, construction of which was completed in 2003.
With the completion of the care centre, the Friends of the Colonel Belcher was formed to undertake continuing fundraising for additional amenities for all Carewest Colonel Belcher residents. The FOCB works with Carewest Colonel Belcher staff to identify needs and with the Calgary Health Trust to raise funds to provide for these needs.
Vets’ Angels
The Vets’ Angels are a charitable group of directors and volunteers dedicated to enhancing the individual well being of Canadian War Veterans over and above the care provided by limited government programs. A regular presence at Carewest Colonel Belcher, the Vets’ Angels organize and host the monthly birthday parties for the residents – at which each veteran whose birthday falls within that month receives a gift and a party with ice cream, homemade cake and other goodies. They also sponsor one pub week a month and buy the drinks for everyone to enjoy. Snacks served at the pub are sponsored by the Vets’ Angels all year round.
LINKages (formerly Friends of Seniors Foundation)
LINKages is a non-profit community service-based charity built on the belief that all of society benefits when caring partnerships are developed between teens and seniors. Coordinated by LINKages, students from St. Martha’s Junior High School spend their lunch hour twice a month at a Carewest centre interacting with our residents. Staff from the LINKages plan the activity, wherein students are paired with residents to play games or do crafts together.
Huntington Society of Canada
The Huntington Society of Canada supports individuals and families affected by Huntington disease by providing short-term assessment and counseling, information about enchance quality of life, referrals to relevant community services, in-service presentations to long-term centre staff and advocacy. The society also funds a recreation therapist at Carewest Dr. Vernon Fanning, facilitating a day group for individuals with Huntington disease (HD) and providing them cognitive/movement stimulation and social connections. The local HD chapter, comprised of volunteers, maintains a website at curehd.wordpress.com and supports families with volunteers, engages in fundraising, promotes HD awareness and provides peer support.
Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA)
Carewest was the first care facility in Alberta to partner with RCA and be a part of Alberta’s strongest voice for waste reduction. Carewest has participated in National Waste Reduction weeks as a partner.
Schools
Several schools throughout Calgary have joined forces with Carewest with mutual benefit. Our partnership with Jack James High School, for instance, is a unique initiative between industry and community. It gives students a chance to work in various positions throughout Carewest to develop marketable skills while earning high school credits.
Our partnership Foothills Academy, on the other hand, allows students to visit veterans of the Carewest Colonel Belcher and hear their stories, giving them a first-hand, personal history lesson. This is also beneficial to the veterans, allowing them to interact with the students and share their stories.
Students at other schools, such as Delta West Academy, Langevin School, Bishop McNally Senior High School and Christine Meikle School volunteer their time to help Carewest residents with arts and crafts and shopping, among other things. Carewest residents also have the chance to visit schools and help students with their reading.
University of Calgary
Carewest and the University of Calgary faculties work together to support postgraduate research work that will contribute to quality care for people in continuing care. We are currently partnering to establish a Continuing Care Research Consortium for Southern Alberta, that will bring in other universities and healthcare providers.
University of Alberta
Carewest had the privilege of taking part in the University of Alberta’s Coaching and Leadership in Long-term Care study in 2010-11 and takes on U of A students practicum students all year round. As the University of Alberta celebrated its Centenary in 2008, the university community spent a year reflecting on our history of graduates and achievements and on its growth over the years into a formidable institution close to 40,000 students strong, into one of the top research universities in North America and one of top 100 public universities in the world.
Bow Valley College
Carewest and Bow Valley College have partnered together to offer health care aides the Advanced Assisting with Medication Delivery course. For 45 years, a Bow Valley College education has created pathways to success in the personal and work lives of more than 300,000 people. A proud partner in Campus Alberta, Bow Valley College serves more than 11,000 learners each year in Calgary, at campuses throughout southern Alberta, and, through contract arrangements, across Canada, and in a number of other countries. We offer year-round programs leading to career certificates and diplomas, as well as adult upgrading and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. Every year we provide numerous specialized assessment services for employers and organizations.
Mount Royal University
When Mount Royal first opened its doors September 1911, it welcomed 179 students. Today, some 12,000 credit students take a variety of programs and courses including bachelor’s degrees, applied degrees, university transfer courses, diplomas and certificates. The courses offered have changed over time, but Mount Royal’s focus remains the same – providing you with quality teaching and small class sizes. Experience has also taught Mount Royal the importance of preparing students well for life after graduation. That means practical and current information, as well as hands-on learning through work placements, practicum and co-op education. Mount Royal University and Carewest partner to bring practical education to their students.
Southern Alberta Intitute of Technology (SAIT)
As one of Canada’s leading polytechnics, SAIT Polytechnic provides relevant, skill-oriented education to more than 70,000 registrants each year. About 1,000 business and industry partners help shape curriculum by serving on more than 65 advisory committees, and SAIT is known as a trailblazer in applied research and innovation. SAIT was the first publicly-funded institute of its kind in the country, and more than 94 years later, it is well on its way to becoming Canada’s premier polytechnic. Carewest is the proud recipient of SAIT practicum students.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
Carewest works in collaboration with NAIT to place students for practicums. Since its establishment in 1960, NAIT has built a reputation for providing outstanding applied education with a human touch. A number of unique programs and strong industry ties make NAIT stand out. NAIT’s technical training and applied education is designed to meet the demands of Alberta’s industries – graduates have the knowledge and skills employers want.
Grant MacEwan University
Carewest offers a place for Grant MacEwan University students to experience their work placements. Founded in 1971, MacEwan has a long tradition of learner access and quality education. As a comprehensive university, MacEwan offers more than 60 programs including undergraduate degrees, applied degrees, diplomas, certificates, continuing education and corporate training. Over the last 40 years, MacEwan has evolved and grown to become a degree-granting university offering a broad complement of programs.
Veterans Affairs Canada
Carewest has the opportunity to partner Veterans Affairs Canada to support high quality programming tailored to the unique needs of veterans, including: health promotion, day support, Designated Assisted Living and supported funding for other enhancements at the Carewest Colonel Belcher.
Youth Volunteer Corps.
Youth from junior and senior high schools across Calgary register with the Youth Volunteer Corps. After completing their training session, the youth choose a volunteer activity registered with the corps. For the past few years, students have helped Carewest with our Calgary Stampede activities. While these students are with us for only a brief time, many come back and sign on for ongoing volunteer roles.