About
We aim to transform health care and improve health system sustainability through a community-focused model that enhances health and social outcomes.
The Covenant Wellness Community model empowers people and families to live well by anchoring health and wellness services in the community to ensure timely access.
Our vision for better health care
Designed to address unmet needs, the Covenant Wellness Community model invests in evidence-based services for seniors’ care, primary care and mental health care. This integrated services model:
decreases unnecessary use of acute care
enables smoother transition of care between hospitals and the community
increases access to community-based care through innovative approaches
Making the vision a reality
The Covenant Wellness Community model integrates health, social and community resources to achieve better, more sustainable health outcomes.
While the full suite of components includes a health centre, seniors’ continuing care, residential housing and retail space, the model can be tailored to the needs of diverse communities — rural or urban — across Alberta. Its scalable infrastructure and financing support long-term viability and expansion across the province.
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Our innovative partnerships and agreements draw on local assets and expertise, financing models and community resources for maximum economic and social benefits.
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Designed around timely access and connections with primary care providers, the model supports early intervention and management to reduce emergency department visits and avert major health crises. Co-location of providers promotes care co-ordination, teamwork and problem-solving, easier navigation and smoother transitions in care.
This complete community approach will transform the way community health needs are met and produce significant savings for the health system for decades to come.
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Once fully built out, each Covenant Wellness Community will support active, engaged lifestyles and aging in place. It will create the conditions for better health experiences and outcomes for all — especially those most at risk.
Benefits
The Covenant Wellness Community is a whole-community approach to supporting the health, well-being and quality of life of Albertans. All elements of this transformational model work together to support active and engaged lifestyles.
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The Covenant Wellness Community model offers relief to hospitals across Alberta, increasing system capacity and ensuring the best use of hospital space.
The model supports:
early intervention and management to reduce emergency visits, averting major health crises
a reduction in visits and admissions to emergency departments
a reduction in hospital patients awaiting alternative levels of care
avoidance of acute care expansion
operational savings by moving clinics from hospitals to community-based facilities
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Covenant Wellness Communities are designed to support healthy, active aging, independence, dignity and quality of life for seniors in the community. The model includes residential housing, continuing and restorative care and wellness services that support seniors as they age in place. Seniors will benefit from access to on-site retail, health and social services that reduce the need for hospital visits and emergency admissions.
Each Covenant Wellness Community also includes plans for an embedded Centre for Innovation in Seniors’ Care to advance best practices and improve care standards.
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The model recognizes health services delivery as an economic driver and incorporates a multisectoral approach to capital development. It aims to provide vital services for individuals and families while creating jobs and leveraging private expertise, making efficient use of limited taxpayer dollars.
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Covenant Wellness Communities harness technology and sustainable design to create efficient, forward-thinking environments for care.
Sustainability is built in through green infrastructure, energy-efficient systems, sustainable landscaping and transit-friendly design to help reduce environmental impacts and operating costs. The model promotes modern community planning and healthy lifestyles by considering walkability and access to public transit, public spaces and wellness amenities.
“The wellness community concept will be a wonderful addition to Edmonton and, I believe, a model for future development. Linking an innovative new model of healthcare delivery into a complete mixed-use community is an exciting concept that we are very pleased to be part of. We can’t wait to see the development come to life from the plans we have been working on for a number of years.”