Imagine your golden years are more isolating than you thought.  The community you have lived in for most of your lifetime is no longer accessible as you no longer drive and walking long distances is just not possible with a walker.  You live in the local lodge or senior’s apartment, and you have modest income.  You feel safe, have good housing but you are lonely.  Your family visits on the weekend but they are busy and do lots shuttling you to medical appointments.  Sometimes you just need to do shopping on your own, enjoy an outing, connect and make new friends, attend a community event you attended for years or just have a change in scenery.  The Westwinds bus trips give back your independence, help with that much needed social connection, provide relaxation, stimulation and fun, and make you vibrant.

Westwinds Communities provides safe, high-quality affordable homes and services that strengthen our communities and enhance the well-being of the seniors, families and individuals who call them home.  Annually we support over 850 households in our programs throughout the Foothills Region in Southern Alberta.

A new Westwinds 18 passenger bus with a lift for wheelchairs, will enhance the social, physical and mental wellbeing of the senior’s population we serve. Our population is low and modest income seniors who spend the majority of their limited income on accommodation, food and personal items.    For some of our seniors we are the only opportunities they have to participate in the community, maintain community connection, and keep active.  Since Westwinds is the only seniors affordable housing provider in the region we are serving modest seniors who need supportive living (to maintain independence) and low income seniors who require social housing to live in a dignified manner but also provide opportunities to engage in active wellness.  Our bus program keeps seniors active in our local communities which they have lived for many years.  We are ensuring this vital population remains active and vibrant in the community.

Westwinds has operated a bus program for over 17 years and has the infrastructure established to maintain the bus operations and operating costs just limited capital capacity.