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Find care details, insights, and insider perspectives gained from 20+ years of helping seniors and families.
What to know about this topic:
- Types of senior living available in Alberta
- Retirement homes in Alberta's major centres
- How to choose the best retirement home for you
- How much does it cost to retire in Alberta?
- Your senior housing advocate: ASCHA
Senior care homes are changing everywhere. New residences in cities like Edmonton and Calgary appeal to seniors' changing needs, with increased outdoor activities and many more care options. There are high quality seniors homes throughout the province.
IN-DEPTH REPORTSRetirement communities in Alberta
The Manor Village at Fish Creek Park
Within walking distance of one of Calgary’s finest parks in SW Calgary, this unique all-inclusive community provide a wide range of services and amenities for every lifestyle choice.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Chartwell Fountains of Mission Retirement Residence
Enjoy an exceptional retirement lifestyle centred on convenience, culture and the comfort of family.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
The Manor Villages StayWell Manor
Staywell Manor Village offers elegant retirement living in the heart of Calgary. Whether you are looking for independent living, assisted living or memory care, we have lifestyle options to meet your needs.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Chartwell Wescott Retirement Residence
An upscale retirement community with art studio, pool, yoga room and more. Located in Ambleside (Windermere) in south Edmonton with convenient access to coffee shops, grocery stores, restaurants and shopping.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care
Chartwell Heritage Valley Retirement Residence
The lifestyle at Chartwell Heritage Valley is ideal for active & independent individuals. Spend your time exactly how you choose in an airy atmosphere with natural light. Flexible private support services also available.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Garneau Hall Seniors Community
Located in the heart of the Garneau district of Edmonton, Garneau Hall offers seniors a caring environment with the added comforts of home and the opportunity for an enriched new life.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Garrison Green by United Active Living
At Garrison Green by United Active Living, we offer memory care, independent, and assisted living. Enjoy spacious suites, in-suite laundry, fitness studio, art studio, flexible dining, underground parking and much more!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
River Ridge Seniors Village
A premier Park Place residence in the heart of Medicine Hat offering independent living, supportive living, and long term care options. With spectacular views and services, River Ridge is a warm place to call home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Emerald Gardens Retirement Residence
A premier retirement community located in the heart of Grande Prairie, Alberta focused on independent living. Emerald Gardens provides quality services to enhance your current lifestyle.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace a variety of suites styles with kitchenettes and incredible mountain views. It's the perfect residence for seniors who are active, require some assistance, or have memory care needs.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Trico LivingWell
Trico LivingWell is designed to empower older adults to live their best lives by facilitating inclusivity and togetherness through a holistic health, empathetic and personalized approach to aging.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Evanston Summit
A Catholic non-profit residence focusing on providing a lifestyle for independent seniors who appreciate the opportunity to live stress-free, with like-minded, active older adults.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Verve Aspen Woods
Located in one of Calgary’s most desirable neighbourhoods, with the Rocky Mountains outside and beautifully appointed amenities within, Verve Aspen Woods offers the perfect setting for your active enjoyment of life.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
The Lodge at Valley Ridge - Verve Senior Living
At The Lodge at Valley Ridge, you'll enjoy spacious suites, impressive cuisine, and exceptional services. We have recently renovated. We welcome the opportunity to show you our great community.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
The Wellington Retirement Residence
As a premier Park Place multi-level care residence, The Wellington provides Independent and Supportive Living options for seniors seeking to maintain your independence while enjoying access and services to amenities.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Lake Bonavista Village - Verve Senior Living
Lake Bonavista Village Retirement Residence is the perfect place for seniors to retire. You can choose from a variety of suite sizes in the main building or one of our unique cottages.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Trinity Lodge - Verve Senior Living
Trinity Lodge Retirement Residence combines the elegance & style of a fine traditional hotel, with the security & warmth associated with senior living. Homecare staff is available 24/7 to give you support when needed.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Boardwalk Retirement Community
Welcome to the BRC, a beautiful assisted living facility located in the heart of Calgary's NW. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that your loved ones are safe and cared for with our friendly and passionate staff.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Dr. Hemstock Retirement Residence and Hearthstone Place Verve Senior Living
At Dr. Hemstock Residence & Hearthstone Place, our highly-skilled group of health care professionals and qualified staff are here to do whatever we can to ensure that all your needs are taken care of.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Aster Gardens
Aster Gardens, an Optima Living community, opened in March 2021, we are transforming Senior's living. You are going to love living here....Let Us Welcome You Home!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care
Riverwalk Retirement Residence - Verve Senior Living
Riverwalk Retirement Residence is centrally located in the Cliff Bungalow-Mission community of Calgary. We offer a continuum of care including Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Wild Rose
At Optima Living, we offer a tailored approach where the resident is the focus of all of our endeavours and we strive to fulfil all our residents’ needs so that they can live their best possible life!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Types of senior living available in Alberta
Alberta is home to approximately 25,000 retirement housing units offering a range of retirement community types including the following typical levels of care:
- Active adult living communities
- Independent living retirement homes
- Assisted living seniors' care
- Long-term care homes
- Alzheimer's, memory and dementia care
Retirement homes in Alberta's major centres
An ideal place for all retirement, from active adult living to assisted living, Edmonton, Canada's fifth largest city, was designated the "Cultural Capital of Canada" in 2007. A number of Edmonton's best retirement homes are found near its extensive river valley trail system that offers the opportunity for exercise and plenty of fresh air. There is plenty to do in Edmonton, with a professional hockey team in town (the NHL's Oilers), the Edmonton Folk Fest (one of the premier folk music events in the world) and much more that will appeal to retirees and their families.
Calgary's retirement homes offer superior care in a world-class city. Calgary is considered Canada’s energy capital and western Canada’s business capital. It's home to the Calgary Flames and the Calgary Stampede (aka "the Greatest Show on Earth").
How to choose the best retirement home for you
When choosing the best retirement community for yourself or a senior family member, most people begin by considering the level of care required, and too often people have waited until a crisis then found themselves forced to make too hasty a decision. Level of care is really only part of the picture. The addition of certain helpful amenities and services improves the feeling of well-being your senior family member might have.
Once you've determined what your needs really are and what the costs really are (and you may be surprised as others have been), go back and look at your budget and consider finding new ways to stretch it to afford the best care. Your funds may not be as limited as you think. The fact is that many people assume it is best to own a retirement unit or home but that may not be the truth for everyone; fully consider the benefits of renting vs. owning, as you look deeper at costs.
Then, when you're ready to tour, take along our free eBook, The Ultimate Retirement Tour Guide for important information and questions to ask during your tour. Contact the residences shown above to get started with your search.
How much does it cost to retire in Alberta?
The cost of retiring in Alberta will vary depending on your needs and the level of care you require. Monthly rent for senior housing in Alberta is approximately $2,567 per month (CMCH's Senior Housing Report, 2012).
Your senior housing advocate: ASCHA
The Alberta Seniors & Community Housing Association (ASCHA) represents all residences and communities across Alberta. It also acts as an advocate for senior housing in the province, along with providing services to its members. Resources on the ASCHA website will help you learn more about senior care in Alberta.
Note: just as everywhere else, "nursing homes" in Alberta is not a commonly used term within the industry as it conjures up different negative images. The use of the phrase “nursing homes” is out of common usage among professionals. For people who do require close care, facilities offering this are now called long-term care communities.