Community Aids for Independent Living

Community Aids to Independent Living (CAIL) is an Alberta Health Services team of healthcare providers working in the community to help people get basic medical supplies, aids and equipment that is primarily funded by the Alberta Aids to Daily Living program (AADL). Alternate funding sources may be explored based on individual needs.

This program is eligible to people who have a chronic medical condition or a disability for longer than six (6) months. The CAIL team delivers services via home visits, equipment vendor sites, or a site clinic.

CAIL team provides clinical assessment for the following basic medical equipment and supplies, when required for long-term needs:

• mobility and transfer aids (e.g. walkers, wheelchairs, bedrails, poles)
• bathroom equipment (e.g. raised toilet seats, commodes, shower seats, wall bars)
• compression stockings
• medical surgical supplies (e.g. incontinence and ostomy supplies, cathethers)

Please note: Clients who have recently sustained injury, received and or have a planned surgical intervention, or are undergoing active rehabilitation, are not AADL eligible for at least six months and should not be referred to CAIL. Referral sources should consider short-term equipment loans or rental options through other programs, until long term need has been demonstrated.

Eligibility

• Have a chronic health condition or disability of 6 months or longer

• Live within Edmonton city limits. For people who live outside of Edmonton, please contact 780-496-1300 to be directed to appropriate services.

How to access service

See below

Clients may self-refer via Community Care Access.

Key providers

occupational therapists (OTs), occupational therapy assistants (OTAs), registered nurses (RNs)

Affiliation

Government of Alberta Ministry of Health (Alberta Aids to Daily Living)