Privacy Policy

Sagewell Home Care (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal information and health information entrusted to us by our clients, their families, and visitors to our website. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information in accordance with Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and the Health Information Act (HIA).

By accessing our website or engaging our home care services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information

When you inquire about or engage our home care services, we may collect the following personal information:

• Full name, date of birth, and gender
• Residential address and mailing address
• Telephone number(s) and email address
• Emergency contact information
• Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan number (where applicable)
• Billing and payment information
• Next of kin or substitute decision-maker details

Health Information

To provide home care services safely and effectively, we may collect health information including:

• Medical history and current health conditions
• Physician and healthcare provider information
• Medication lists and care plans
• Dietary requirements and allergy information
• Mobility and cognitive assessments
• Care notes and progress reports documented by our caregivers

Website Usage Data

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Browser type, operating system, and device information
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths
• Referring website addresses
• Information submitted through contact forms

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To provide, coordinate, and manage home care services tailored to your needs
• Care Planning: To develop, implement, and update individualized care plans
• Communication: To respond to inquiries, schedule services, and provide service-related updates
• Billing and Administration: To process payments, manage accounts, and maintain business records
• Quality Assurance: To evaluate and improve the quality of our care services
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards in Alberta
• Safety: To ensure the health and safety of our clients and caregivers
• Website Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and enhance our website functionality

3. How We Protect Your Information

Sagewell Home Care employs reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal and health information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

• Secure, access-controlled storage of physical records
• Encryption of electronic data during transmission and at rest
• Role-based access controls limiting information access to authorized personnel only
• Regular staff training on privacy obligations and information handling procedures
• Confidentiality agreements with all employees and contractors
• Routine audits and reviews of our information security practices

While we take every reasonable precaution, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted to us online.

4. Sharing with Third Parties

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

With Your Consent

We may share information with other healthcare providers, family members, or designated representatives when you have provided informed consent for such disclosure.

Service Providers

We may engage trusted third-party service providers to assist in delivering our services (e.g., billing processors, IT support). These providers are bound by contractual obligations to protect your information and use it only for the specified purposes.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose personal or health information without consent where required or authorized by law, including:

• Compliance with a court order, subpoena, or legal process
• Mandatory reporting obligations (e.g., reporting to Alberta Health Services, adult protection matters)
• Protecting the health or safety of an individual or the public
• Responding to a request from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (OIPC)

Healthcare Coordination

Where necessary for the provision of care, we may share health information with other healthcare providers involved in your circle of care, as permitted under Alberta’s Health Information Act.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us understand how visitors use our site.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly (e.g., session management, security)
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand visitor behavior and improve our website (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences to provide a personalized experience

Managing Cookies

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent.

6. Your Rights Under Alberta’s PIPA

Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) governs how private-sector organizations in Alberta collect, use, and disclose personal information. Under PIPA, you have the following rights:

• Right to Access: You may request access to the personal information we hold about you. We will respond to your request within 45 business days, as required by PIPA.
• Right to Correction: If you believe that personal information we hold about you is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request a correction. We will make the correction or, if we disagree, attach a notation of your request to the record.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You may withdraw your consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions. We will inform you of any consequences of withdrawal.
• Right to Complain: If you have concerns about how we handle your personal information, you may file a complaint with us or with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (OIPC).

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please submit a written request to our Privacy Officer using the contact information provided at the end of this policy. We may require you to verify your identity before processing your request.

7. Health Information Under Alberta’s HIA

Where Sagewell Home Care acts as a custodian or affiliate of a custodian under Alberta’s Health Information Act (HIA), we are subject to additional obligations regarding the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of health information.

Collection and Use

We collect health information only as necessary for providing home care services and for purposes authorized under the HIA. Health information is used to:

• Provide direct care and treatment
• Coordinate care with other healthcare providers in your circle of care
• Manage and administer the health system as permitted
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements

Disclosure

We disclose health information only with your consent or as permitted or required under the HIA, including disclosure to:

• Other custodians involved in your care
• Alberta Health or Alberta Health Services as required
• Regulatory bodies or as required by law

Your Rights Under the HIA

Under the HIA, you have the right to:

• Request access to your own health information records
• Request correction of your health information
• Be informed about how your health information is collected, used, and disclosed
• Express consent preferences and request restrictions on the use of your health information within the circle of care (subject to certain limitations)
• File a complaint with the OIPC regarding the handling of your health information

8. Data Retention

We retain personal and health information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law. Retention periods are determined based on:

• The nature of the information and the purposes for collection
• Legal and regulatory retention requirements under PIPA, HIA, and other applicable legislation
• Limitation periods for potential legal claims

Health information records are retained for a minimum period as prescribed by Alberta law and applicable professional standards. When information is no longer required, it is securely destroyed or de-identified.

9. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. When we make material changes, we will:

• Post the updated policy on our website with a revised “Last Updated” date
• Notify affected clients of significant changes through direct communication where appropriate

We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our services or website after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.