This release was issued under a previous government.

Caring for Alberta's seniors

Funding increases are targeted in a variety of areas, including home care, continuing care, supplementary benefits including optical and dental, and special needs assistance for people living on a low-income.

“With the population of seniors continuing to grow, the government continues to take steps that ensure seniors have the supports they need to maintain their quality of life and stay close to family and loved ones as they age.”

- Fred Horne, Minister of Health

“Seniors are a very important part of this province, and Budget 2014 reflects that importance. It will help seniors to stay happy, healthy, and in their homes and communities, which is where they want to be.”

- Dave Quest, Associate Minister of Seniors

Targeted spending will add capacity to a number of seniors support programs, including:

  • Six per cent increase ($21 million) to the Alberta Seniors Benefit for a total of $353 million;
  • About 150,000 low-income seniors will continue to receive benefits;
  • 23 per cent increase ($6 million) for special needs assistance for items such as appliances, home repairs and medical expenses for a total of $31 million, to help ensure this unique program continues to be available to our most vulnerable seniors facing unexpected costs;
  • $11 million increase to the seniors supplementary health benefit for things such as dental and optical care for a total of $127 million;
  • 44 per cent increase ($12 million) for enhanced home care and rehabilitation services, for a total of $40 million:
    • $2 million will be used to help 1,000 more people go home from the hospital with enhanced home care support, and $10 million will be invested in continuing care research designed to make further improvements to quality and safety; and,
  • $20 million budgeted for the Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program.

Budget 2014 also invests in infrastructure for the province’s continuing care system:

  • $252 million over three years for the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative to support the development of affordable supportive living spaces across the province.
  • $294 million over three years for other continuing care projects.

“We appreciate the government’s commitment to Alberta seniors in the budget - this highlights the importance of seniors, and of providing them with strong supports and services. We also look forward to continuing work on the new Continuing Care Strategy, which will focus on quality of life and support aging in place.”

- John Pray, President and CEO, Shepherd’s Care Foundation; President, Alberta Continuing Care Association

How these programs benefit seniors:

  • In the last fiscal year:
    • More than 150,000 seniors received almost $324 million in financial assistance through the Alberta Seniors Benefit.
    • 88,378 seniors received a total of $69 million in dental benefits, and 37,266 received a total of $7.5 million in optical benefits.
    • More than 26,000 seniors received $22.8 million in financial assistance through the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program.
  • Since it was introduced last spring, the new Seniors Property Tax Deferral program has helped more than 1,500 senior homeowners free up home equity.
  • The number of home care clients in 2012/13 was 108,855.
    • This is an increase in home care clients since 2010/11 of 8.3 per cent.
    • From 2010/11 to 2012/13 home care spending increased by 24.4 per cent.

With Budget 2014, government remains committed to helping seniors remain in their homes, and stay connected with their communities, families and friends.

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.

Related information

Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program

Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors

Special Needs Assistance Program

Alberta Seniors Benefit

Other supports for seniors