Alberta's aging population
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% to 16% of our total population. By 2051, 1 in 5 Albertans will be a senior.
Today’s seniors:
- are living longer and healthier lives
- have higher education levels
- are working longer
- serve their communities through volunteering, civic engagement and charitable donations
Aging in community
Aging in community (or aging in place) means having the health and social supports and services needed to live safely and independently in your home or community for as long as you wish and are able.
It is important for people of all ages to create a plan to help ensure that health and social supports are available for them and their loved ones when and where they are needed.
Making choices ahead of time will give Albertans greater control over their independence, quality of life and dignity.
When considering aging in your community, it is important to consider the following areas of your life:
- health
- home
- transportation
- finances
- connections
- safety
- supports and services
- community
- spouse/partner
Government supports
The Government of Alberta provides or funds other resources, programs and services to support aging in community. They include:
Publications
- Saying Farewell handbook - A guide to assist you with the death and dying process
- Transportation toolkit for municipalities and organizations
Community profiles
The senior’s community profiles provide a broad range of demographic, socio-economic, and population health statistics considered relevant to seniors across the province. Each profile offers an overview of the current state of communities as they relate to seniors.
These reports are intended to assist with local planning by seniors-serving organizations. The information is to be used along with local knowledge to highlight the needs of seniors.
Read the Seniors’ community profiles
Note: the province is divided into 5 main health service zones for local planning. These zones are subdivided into 132 smaller geographic areas called local geographic areas (LGAs).
Forum resources
Forum of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors
Alberta is an active member of the Forum of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors. The Forum is an intergovernmental body established to share information, discuss new and emerging issues related to seniors, and work collaboratively on key projects.
The following resources have been prepared by the Forum to support aging at home and in community:
The future of aging in Canada
Create a plan for how to age in your community
Publications
- Factsheet: Plan your future today - Live the life you want tomorrow
- Brochure: Thinking about aging in place
- Checklist: Thinking about your future? Plan now to Age in Place
- Report: Core community supports to age in community
- Report: Report on housing needs of seniors
- Report: Enabling Older Adults to Age in Community
Videos
- What is planning for Aging in Place?
- My home and neighbourhood
- My social connections
- My supports and services
Caring for caregivers
Video
Publications
- Fact sheet: Care Conversations – It’s about you and the person you support
- Information sheet: Care Options – Choosing the best plan for you and the person you care for
- Brochure: Balancing Work and Caregiving – Tips for employed caregivers of family or friends
- Brochure: Helping Employees Balance Work and Caregiving Responsibilities
Reducing social isolation for seniors
Toolkits
- Volume 1: Social Isolation of Seniors – Understanding the issue and finding solutions – This toolkit can be used to increase your understanding of social isolation and how social isolation can be used to help prevent and reduce isolation.
- Volume 2: Social Isolation of Seniors – Ideas exchange event – This toolkit will help you understand how to host effective meetings to exchange ideas and respond to the social isolation of seniors. It also includes tools, templates and support resources for hosting an ideas exchange event.
Supplements
- Social Isolation of Seniors – A Focus on Indigenous Seniors in Canada
- Social Isolation of Seniors – A Focus on LGBTQ2S+ Seniors in Canada
- Social Isolation of Seniors – A Focus on New Immigrant and Refugee Seniors in Canada
Publications
Mature workers
Publications
- Report: Understanding the impact of public policies and programs on the labour market decisions of older workers
- Report: Promoting the labour force participation of older Canadians: Promising initiatives
- Report: Older Workers: Exploring and Addressing the Stereotypes