With any luck, good genes, despite some physical speedbumps and shrugging off a swamp of trite clichés – like “getting old is not so bad when you consider the alternative” and “aging is not for sissies” – many of us do get older.
The population of seniors in Alberta continues to rise faster than other age groups. Between 2013 and 2023, the proportion of seniors (those aged 65 and older) increased from 12 per cent to 16 per cent of Alberta’s total population.
By 2051, one in five Albertans will be a senior. Many surveys and reports agree. Today’s seniors are living longer and healthier lives, have higher education levels and they are working longer.
Dealing with health matters is a key factor for senior living quality of life, and so is housing.
For Edmonton seniors, managing the various health aspects of aging is a necessity, not an optional fact of life. Medical research, life-altering discoveries and new ways of doing things (like game-changing medications), along with efficient procedures like bypasses, knee and hip replacements help make quality of life easier.
“In the past few years, it’s been wonderful to see an increased emphasis on healthy aging and aging well,” says Beth Wilkey, sessional instructor in MacEwan University’s gerontology program. “There are also many more choices available to seniors to maintain their health. Good health and vibrancy are possible at any age!
“I’ve noticed that seniors are becoming more informed about their health and they are knowledgeable about managing it. I’m also so pleased to see an increased emphasis on the mental health and social needs of older adults, which is as important as any other type of health need.”
She adds, with expertise and positivity, that aging brings opportunity.
“But like every stage of life, there can be some challenges. These can come in the way of mobility issues, chronic health concerns, financial concerns, transportation concerns and housing. Of course, it’s not always possible but planning ahead is the best way to address future concerns, including ensuring the home is accessible and having reliable sources for knowledge about managing any chronic diseases. It may not always be easy to accomplish, but advance care discussion and planning is critical.”
While aging is a fact of life, it has a newfound and more significant impact on housing wants, needs and trends. Today, more than ever, housing is a key aspect of senior living.
A report issued by the Institute for Research on Public Policy explained that Canadian seniors represent more than 16 per cent of the population, and a large majority live in suburbs. By choice, many of today’s seniors initially moved to a suburban Edmonton neighbourhood when they had growing families and are now attached to their homes, no matter how isolated they are and no matter how mobile or immobile they have become.
The report also highlighted the findings and urged municipalities like Edmonton to examine the trend, especially as the senior population is continuing to rise.
Amenities in older neighbourhoods are centralizing because populations are growing smaller and there’s no longer that critical mass to support amenities such as local dentists and doctors, social clubs and even a corner store.
Stats show that many seniors stay in their suburban homes until health issues or economic circumstances force them out. For various reasons, gerontologists agree that the suburbs are no place to grow old.
Canadian suburbs are tailored for the car. Residents have to take a car everywhere — for groceries, to school or work and to the local transit hub. Experts suggest that the strategy works for families but not for people who are growing older and prefer not to drive anywhere they may want or need to go.
According to provincial stats, there are approximately 25,000 retirement housing units in Alberta, offering a range of retirement community types. When it comes to housing, senior living experts categorize the four main types of facilities: independent living, aging-in-place; assisted living; nursing homes and designated supportive living (DSL).
Although it can get complex, complicated and sometimes pricey, senior living in the Edmonton region offers many choices, including private and public options. Most facilities offer a range of provided or optional services to residents, from planned social activities to non-medical personal care and skilled nursing care.
A key differentiation about senior living in the Edmonton region is cost. The public and private networks differ on issues of management and funding.
Private pay includes adult active living and retirement homes offering independent living and assisted living and DSL.
In the public network, the retirement homes are administered by the Ministry of Health and Social Services. The government owns the buildings and its administration is centralized.
Government subsidized senior living is publicly funded care, long-term care homes or nursing homes or senior living ‘at home’ through the services of home care.
Private seniors’ homes are managed by owners or real estate groups. Whether approved or not, all private residences for the elderly must obtain a certification of compliance from the Ministry of Health and Social Services in order to operate. These are reassessed every two years.
“The wants and needs of Edmonton seniors continue to evolve and change,” explains the focused Kendra Kozakewich, director of Marketing with Edmonton’s respected Christenson Group of Companies, specializing in active adult living and retirement living with popular Edmonton communities such as Bedford Village, Citadel Village and others. “Particularly the way seniors look at congregate living has changed considerably, due to a number of factors.
“Seniors will always want personalised services and care for their current and future needs to be accessible. Low maintenance living is important and more appealing as people age, freeing up more time for the things you enjoy. The stigma around moving into an active adult or seniors’ community has really evolved in a positive way.
“Retirement living communities have come a long way over the years and have even more to offer in this day and age. Everything from innovative social and recreation programs, dining options and most importantly offering choice in a community setting.”
Kozakewich enthusiastically points out that each Christenson community is planned and designed with lifestyle in mind. Although quality of life factors are important aspects of senior living throughout Canada, she emphasizes an Edmonton advantage, because “Edmonton is probably more affordable than most other big Canadian areas.”
For most Edmonton seniors, and the families of Edmonton seniors, the challenging essentials about senior living is homework! Researching, question-asking, investigating, comparing and choosing from the many options. Of course, it is invariably a personalised process which requires a lot of planning. The quandary is that, while advance planning involves much considering options, narrowing down choices and making decisions, in Edmonton and through the country, there are infamously long waiting lists for availability.
The Alberta Ministry cautions that wait times in Alberta can range from six months to two years. Therefore, the needs, wants and choices for seniors continue to be a developing story.
