We create inclusive communities where connection inspires discovery, and ALL people can flourish.

Calgary Seniors is a bold and visionary leader that is trusted and relied upon to provide essential and urgent services to older persons facing age-related challenges in Calgary. For over two and a half decades we have blended social work when appropriate, urgent supports when needed, and coordinated a network of volunteers that provide depth of care and connections that create meaningful and effective changes in seniors’ overall well-being and quality of life.

What makes us so unique is that we effectively combine social work/outreach with volunteer programming and community engagement to not only assist in crisis situations, but to provide ongoing support and community connections to ensure older persons are supported appropriately, long term. We accomplish all of this through the hard work of our dedicated staff, including a team of registered social workers and volunteer coordinators, as well as the time and effort of over 2,500 volunteers.

Our Strategies:

Reduce Social Isolation · Support to “Age in the Right Place” · Prevention and Early Intervention · Activate and Mobilize the Community · Educate and Increase Awareness · Encourage Collaboration

SENIORS SOCIAL SUPPORTS

In Seniors Social Supports, we ignite people to support older people, and in turn their lives are enriched by the meaningful relationships that are created.

Shopping Companion: An older person is matched with a volunteer who takes them shopping for groceries and other necessary items - typically every two weeks. Volunteers generally go beyond simple transportation through helping the senior as they shop and then assisting with putting away their items when they return home. In addition to offering critical transportation, the program also offers social support and the opportunity to spend time with a friend.

Essential Transportation: This program provides transportation for those who have no other options and are lacking social support. Volunteers provide low income, mobility challenged seniors with arm-in-arm rides to essential medical appointments.

Friendly Visiting: Older persons are matched with a Friendly Visiting volunteer who typically visits weekly. This time spent together greatly reduces isolation and creates a wonderful relationship that is mutually beneficial.

Pet Assist: Volunteers assist older people with their pet care needs, thereby enabling the pet and senior to stay together as long as possible. This might include weight management, exercise, monitoring medication, and providing support during and after vet visits.

Friendly Check-In: Older people are matched one-on-one with a volunteer who will phone regularly to provide a friendly voice, a willing ear and peace of mind that someone will be checking in.

Practical Kindness: This program mobilizes volunteers to provide older people with urgent one-time or short-term assistance, such as compassionate rides to visit loved ones in hospital.

Caregiver Kindness: A Caregiver and Senior Care Recipient are matched with a volunteer who typically visits once a week for a minimum of 2 hours. The program has been developed to provide companionship to the Senior Care Recipient while also allowing the Caregiver to have a break for a couple of hours to do self-care, run errands, etc.

SOCIAL WORK AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Community Outreach Services: Our team of Registered Social Workers helps older adults navigate the often complex government and community support system and can provide longer term client assistance. They help older adults connect with and access pensions and benefits, housing supports, transportation services, and other programs and services available in the community. As a partner of “The Way In Network”, referrals for service can be made by calling 403-Seniors (403-736-4677).

Emergency Social Work Response: Our SeniorConnect Team provides urgent social work services for older persons (60+). Any older adult who is in crisis or distress may have problems with basic needs, such as food, clothing or housing, or more complex issues around mental health, caregiver stress or elder abuse. A SeniorConnect social worker will address their immediate concerns to stabilize the crisis, and then ensure appropriate community supports are in place. Callers to this service can remain anonymous and we do not require the consent of the older adult. Referrals can be made by calling The Distress Centre at 403-266-4357. (SeniorConnect response workers will attempt to contact all referrals within 24 hours.)

We invite you to join us to help support vulnerable seniors in our city. You can create a better life for them today, and a brighter future for all of us tomorrow.