Cheat Sheet for Senior Services
Magazine | Fall/Winter 2019 | Who Will Help Mom? | Cheat Sheet for Senior Services
Confused over a splintered system of information? Here’s a primer of service organizations to help get you started
The rising seniors population is daunting for policy-makers who are tasked with finding workable solutions for emerging problems in everything from health care to housing. It can be even more challenging for seniors themselves and their families who face a dizzying array of information pathways into services across governmental, private and volunteer organizations.
Federal government programs and services for seniors
Open the landing page on the federal government’s Programs and Services website and you’ll see large, boxed instructions to help you increase the page-view type size. There’s information on the Canada Pension Plan, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Old Age Security, caregiving benefits, health, safety at home, funding programs and more. Or call 1.800.O.Canada (1.800.622.6232).
Alberta government programs and services for seniors
The Ministry of Seniors and Housing, “provides quality and affordable housing and ensures seniors have the resources and care they need.” Find information here on affordable housing programs, the Alberta Seniors Benefit, Seniors Financial Assistance programs, dental and optical assistance for seniors, the Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program, and more. Or call toll-free 310.0000 in Alberta and request help with what you’re seeking.
City of Calgary seniors’ services and resources
The City of Calgary offers a range of activities, services and resources for local seniors. Find housing and home-support services (there is a Housing Options navigation tool), recreation programs and the recreation fee-assistance program, transportation, general information and links to Calgary Recreation’s Active Aging Strategy, as well as the City’s Age-Friendly Strategy. The City’s general contact information phone number is 3-1-1.
Kerby Centre
The Kerby Centre, a not-for profit organization founded by UCalgary alumna Patricia Allen, MSW’69, has been a flagship agency in Calgary since 1973, assisting more than 30,000 older adults annually in living as well as possible. You’ll find handy links to the City of Calgary’s 2019 Housing Directory for Seniors, as well as Calgary’s Seniors Directory of Services. And there is information on support services, volunteering, events, activities and recreation. Call 403.265.0661.
Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society
This charitable organization combines outreach with volunteering programming and community engagement. You’ll find information on its website that includes social workers and volunteer programs, as well as agency programs such as CaregiverConnect. There is an information field on the website where you can submit questions. Main phone: 403.266.6200.
Brenda Strafford Foundation
The core business of the Foundation is seniors care. Founded by Barrie Strafford, Hon. LLD’01, the organization invests in research and education at UCalgary, including the Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging, to enhance the health and wellness of seniors. You can find information on its seniors-care manors, private-choice care services and publicly funded care services on its website.
Alberta Health Services
Alberta Health Services offers continuing care services across the province including home care, supportive living, long term care, adult day programs and respite, palliative and end-of-life care. Information on these services can be found online at ahs.ca/continuingcare or by calling Health Link at 811. Health Link also provides telephone-based support for people caring for a family member with dementia.
Explore more
Who Will Help Mom?
Over the next 20 years, Canada’s seniors’ population is expected to grow by 68 per cent and we, as a nation, are not ready. In fact, experts say we are facing a multifaceted economic, social and health-care crisis as our elder population grows. What are our priorities and what is UCalgary doing about the splintered system that exists today?
2019 Arch Award Recipients
Meet six remarkable alumni who are blazing trails across our skies, creating spaces for us to marvel at, championing rights for Indigenous people, leading coalitions of people, innovating new tech platforms and building bridges across global organizations. Although this year’s recipients walked the red carpet at the recent Arch Awards, their stories bear a replay.
Notebook
How did alumna Susanne Craig, BA’91, Hon. LLD’19 go from being a campus newspaper reporter to winning the Pulitzer; why language is critical, especially in the LGBTQ2S+ community; alumni star in a new movie; what, exactly, is Rococo Punk?
Can't Get Enough?
Take the ultimate tour of campus with President Ed McCauley, meet the 2019 Arch Award recipients and find out what UCalgary is doing about the coming health-care crisis as our elder population grows. All this and more in the Fall/Winter 2019 Alumni Magazine.