Frequently Asked Questions
Who do you provide service to?
Excel Society provides supports to people of all ages with disabilities including but not limited to:
- Developmental delay
- Brain injury
- Mental illness
- Alzheimer's
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effect
- Physical disabilities including hearing and visual impairment
- Several of Excel's homes are wheelchair accessible. Two homes are adapted for the hearing impaired.
What kind of training do your staff have?
Staff are trained in CPR, First Aid, Non-violent Crisis Intervention, Abuse Protocol, Person Centred Planning, and Medication Administration. Staff have an RCMP Security Clearance check and a Child Welfare Clearance Check.
Excel employs qualified Community Support Workers, Health Care Aides, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Recreation Therapists.
What kinds of programs/services do you have?
The Excel Society offers four service areas to individuals with disabilities, to support them in becoming an active and valued citizen within their community. These include:
- Community Living Services (Personal and Special Care Homes, Supported Independent Living Supports) in Edmonton and Calgary
- Community Day Programs (leisure activities, life skills development, Employment Training and Placement supports)
- Creative Supports (outreach services and specialized supports usually on weekends and evening)
- Grand Manor on 97th (56-suite apartment/hotel style enhanced assisted living accommodations)
Programs are funded through Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Capital Health, Northwest Territories, and Children's Services.
What kinds of things can a Creative Supports worker do with me?
A Creative Supports worker can help increase your daily living skills or help you access the community while providing 1:1 support. Typically, this service is provided on weekends and evenings.
Where are your homes located?
Excel Society has 28 homes throughout Edmonton and area including Fort Saskatchewan. Another three homes have been opened in Calgary. Independent living arrangements are also supported in Stony Plain and Spruce Grove.
What supports are provided in your homes?
Staff assist with personal and household routines, including administering medications and providing personal care where needed. Support is adapted to the individual's personal care plan. Independence and community involvement are encouraged where appropriate. Every effort is made to provide a comfortable social environment in the homes giving consideration to individual interests, abilities and supports required. Personal and Special Care Homes are staffed 24 hours a day.
Are your homes licensed?
All our homes meet or exceed standards by government funding agencies, including Alberta Seniors and Community Supports - Social Care Facilities Licensing, Capital Health Authority, Persons with Developmental Disabilities, and Children's Services. Excel Society's programs are fully accredited through Alberta Council of Disability Services and Capital Health.
How much does it cost to live in an Excel home?
Staffing support costs are generally covered by Government funding sources such as Supportive Living - Capital Health, Services to Persons with Disabilities, and Children's Services. (There are some exceptions for private insurance claims). Room and board costs vary and range between $665 and $1479 per month depending on location. This covers all residential costs including utilities, food, phone, cablevision, and furnishings to common areas.
How many people live in a home?
Excel has several different housing models, from semi-independent suites where one or two residents share accommodation, to the larger, more traditional group homes with three to eight residents.
Do I have to live in a group home to get residential support?
There are several other residential support models for people who do not wish to or would not benefit from living in a group home.
Excel's Creative Supports include Supported Independent Living and the Supportive Home Operator allowing a client to maintain or achieve a sense of independence while still having access to adequate supports for his/her needs.
In a Supportive Home Operator placement, the support person and the client share the principle residence. The client learns to share residence facilities, budgeting (rent and food), and household chores.
In a Supportive Neighbour placement the client lives in an adjoining suite or adjacent suite to the support person, e.g., basement suite, an apartment complex. Supports are provided on an as needed basis. The person requiring support is typically quite independent and can be alone for a certain length of time without presenting a safety risk. (Some exceptions). As well, she/he will likely be able to complete many or most of the tasks relating to their daily routine with minimal or no supervision.Weekend respite support is also available.
How are Supportive Home Operator placements determined?
If you are interested in having a supportive roommate, a Service Coordinator will meet with you to determine your eligibility and support needs. Once it is confirmed that this service is the best fit and supported by PDD, a peer match process would begin. The Excel Service Coordinator would arrange for you to meet with potential roommates to determine a positive match. It may require several visits and outings to ensure that the potential Supportive Roommate and you will have a successful arrangement.
How do I find out if I quality for Government Supports?
Call the number below and Excel's Intake Coordinator will be happy to assist you.
Whom can I contact for more information?
Please call the Intake Coordinator at (780) 424-4366 ext. 26. Excel's Intake Coordinator will arrange to meet with you to discuss your service needs and how Excel can support you in planning for your future.
