Toward Better Policy: A Study of Healthcare Aides' Well-being and Working Conditions in Alberta's Long-Term Care Sector

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dc.contributor.advisorKwok, Siu Ming
dc.contributor.authorWong Yi Nei, Elaine
dc.date.accessioned2023-12-11T22:03:55Z
dc.date.embargolift2025-08-24
dc.date.issued2023-05-29
dc.description.abstractIn the backdrop of Alberta's Long-Term Care (LTC) sector, Health Care Aides (HCAs) play a pivotal role, often facing multifaceted challenges. This research provided a comprehensive understanding of these challenges by reviewing a combination of academic journals and grey literature. The methodology integrates qualitative and quantitative findings to provide a holistic view. Two dominant categories of challenges emerged: work environment challenges and relational processes. Regarding the work environment, HCAs grapple with staffing shortages, substantial workloads, financial strains, and compensation disparities. Meanwhile, relational processes reveal issues in resident-staff interactions and underscore systemic inequities and workplace discrimination. These challenges are further magnified by occupational marginalization and the intricate dynamics of workplace relationships. Drawing from these insights, this research proposed policy recommendations. For structural challenges, the research suggested standardizing care parameters and enhancing workers' rights to improve job security and working conditions. To address relational issues, recommendations include implementing strategies to improve resident-staff interactions and promoting diversity and inclusion using data-driven decision-making. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of recognizing and integrating the perspectives of HCAs to address structural and relational challenges, intending to optimize the LTC sector in Alberta.
dc.identifier.citationWong Yi Nei, E. (2023). Toward Better Policy: A Study of Healthcare Aides' Well-being and Working Conditions in Alberta's Long-Term Care Sector (Unpublished master's project). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1880/117723
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.departmentSchool of Public Policy
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Graduate Studies
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectLong-term care
dc.subjectCOVID-19
dc.subjectStaffing
dc.subjectHealth care aides
dc.subjectWell-being
dc.subjectWorking conditions
dc.subjecthappy-productive worker theory
dc.titleToward Better Policy: A Study of Healthcare Aides' Well-being and Working Conditions in Alberta's Long-Term Care Sector
dc.typereport
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Public Policy
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