What is Healthy Aging Alberta?
88% of Canadians 50+ want to age at home, and by 2051, 1 in 5 Albertans will be a senior. Our province needs to be ready to meet the needs of our growing aging demographic.
Healthy Aging Alberta (HAA) is a ‘by community, for community’ initiative working to make Alberta one of the best places to grow older. Our work is led by the Community Leadership Council, powered by United Way Calgary and Area, and generously supported by the Government of Alberta and Waltons Trust.
We connect, strengthen, and amplify a network of community-based seniors serving (CBSS) organizations, groups, and community allies—supporting older adults to age on their terms and in the communities they call home.
Launched in 2020 and accelerated by the urgent needs of the pandemic, Healthy Aging Alberta quickly grew into a province-wide movement. What began as a response to gaps in coordination and support has rapidly expanded into a strong, connected network driving long-term change for older adults across Alberta.
Our mission
Healthy Aging Alberta builds upon and advances the work of the CBSS sector through collective action, system change, and integration with allied sectors to benefit older adults.
Our vision
Every older adult is empowered to age how they choose, ultimately improving their well-being and the well-being of their communities.
“Healthy Aging Alberta has helped open my eyes to programs and partnerships that could benefit those I serve. More importantly, it is building the capacity of Bridge to Oasis Foundation. HAA is our megaphone in places where we can’t all be, and I’m grateful for the platform they provide to build stronger partnerships among agencies.”
– Bukola Ojemakinde, CLC Member & Executive Director, Bridge to Oasis Foundation
How we support healthy aging in Alberta
Community is at the heart of everything we do. We believe every older adult deserves to thrive as a valued and respected member of their community. That’s why we support local and grassroots organizations to make it possible. Guided by our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, here’s how we’re turning that vision into reality:
We connect and coordinate the CBSS sector to collaborate with community allies, government, and other sectors—empowering older adults’ autonomy and well-being.
From Healthy Aging CORE Alberta to our annual regional gatherings, we create spaces where ideas spark, relationships grow, and collaboration leads to real solutions. Together, we’re weaving a stronger provincial network—one grounded in place, shaped by people, and driven by the shared vision of aging well in every corner of Alberta.
How your organization can get involved:
- Connect with your Regional Community Developer.
- Join CORE Alberta for events, networking, and resources.
- Explore our Provincial Systems Map to see how your work fits into the bigger picture.
- Contact us to discuss potential provincial partnerships and cross-sector collaboration opportunities.
We strengthen the CBSS sector by building capacity, sharing knowledge, and supporting organizations that make healthy aging possible.
Our Healthy Aging Framework provides a shared vision and language for supporting older adults, while our Provincial Service Delivery Models demonstrate how coordinated, community-based care can be scaled across Alberta—aligning resources and delivering supports that are both innovative and sustainable.
When organizations are resilient, older adults can access the right supports at the right time, improving their well-being across the province.
How your organization can get involved:
- Access free tools, research, and training on CORE Alberta.
- Discover our Provincial Service Delivery Models and how they can support your community.
- Connect with your Regional Community Developer for more capacity-building opportunities, such as:
- Using the Healthy Aging Framework to guide local planning and decision-making.
- Asset mapping for your community to understand strengths and gaps in service navigation and coordination.
- Starting a service delivery model like Assisted Transportation, Social Prescribing, or Community Supports for older adults in your community.
We amplify diverse community voices, strengths, needs, and challenges for collective action—because when local innovation is shared, it sparks change everywhere.
From grassroots programs to sector-wide initiatives, we highlight the realities of the CBSS sector and raise awareness with decision-makers, funders, and the public. By amplifying our stories, we accelerate momentum and make healthy aging possible in every community.
How your organization can get involved:
- Share your stories, events, and resources on CORE Alberta.
- Explore our Annual Report for inspiration and impact highlights.
- Stay up-to-date and follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter.
- Connect with your Regional Community Developer to share your successes and challenges.
- Contact us to discuss current or new policy ideas that support the well-being of older adults and potential systems or cross-sector partnerships.
“Reaching out to HAA was a pivotal moment… we’ve gained a fresh and exciting perspective on how to foster healthy aging in Sundre and the surrounding areas. From the start, HAA has been an unwavering source of support, helping us navigate each stage of our journey. We’re thrilled about what lies ahead and look forward to continuing our partnership with HAA as we move forward on this transformative path for our seniors.”
– Jane Atkins, Chair, Sundre’s Senior SPRUCE Society
Investment in communities
Our Provincial Service Delivery Models build on the strengths, relationships, and innovations already thriving in communities. By partnering with the Government of Alberta and the Waltons Trust to distribute targeted funding and share proven practices through peer-to-peer learning, these models help local organizations expand their reach and deliver high-quality supports for older adults.
At this time, our funding is closed. We will update the website as new funding opportunities become available.
This service delivery model funds a Link/Social Worker who connects older adults, via healthcare referrals, to community services and non-medical supports. Link/Social Workers help with:
- Accessing social and recreational programs.
- Coordinating transportation.
- Navigating financial or benefit supports.
Our Impact
Social Prescribing strengthens social connections and supports mental, physical, and social well-being:
- Since December 2022, over 5,100 social prescriptions have been issued, supporting 4,343 older adults across participating communities.
- 36% of older adults reported greater contentment with their social connections.
- 57% of older adults reported increased awareness of services
- 40% of older adults reported improved mental health.
- 54% of healthcare providers said they spend less time discussing non-medical needs during appointments.
This service delivery model supports organizations providing accessible transportation for older adults to attend medical appointments, access services, and participate in social opportunities. Services may include ride coordination, door-to-door support, and volunteer driver programs.
Our Impact
Assisted Transportation reduces isolation and improves access to essential services, especially in rural, small urban, and equity-deserving communities:
- Currently, we’re supporting 34 projects and over 200 communities across Alberta to implement a local assisted transportation program.
- Since November 2023, communities have provided 28,052 rides to 3,219 Albertans.
- 72% of rides were for social and basic needs.
- 28% of rides were for medical purposes.
Formerly known as ‘Community and Home Supports’, this service delivery model funds programming that delivers non-medical supports to older adults facing social or economic barriers. Examples include:
- Housekeeping
- Home maintenance
- System navigation and social connection
- Recreation programming
Our Impact
Community Supports help older adults remain safely and meaningfully connected to their communities:
- Since November 2022, 30,617 older adults have accessed more than 136,000 community-based services.
- Currently, we are supporting 100+ communities across Alberta to provide services that enhance older adults’ overall well-being in the places they call home.
- 44% of older adults reported a positive change in mental health.
- 36% of older adults reported a positive change in contentment with their connections.
- 95% of frontline provider and sector leader survey respondents agreed that communities are making progress addressing service gaps impacting older adults.
This new service delivery model supports organizations providing community-based food security programs for older adults. Services may include home-delivered meals, grocery supports, collective kitchens, culturally appropriate food programming, and other local approaches that help older adults access nutritious, affordable food.
Our Focus
Healthy Aging Alberta is establishing this new provincial program in 2026 with investment from the Government of Alberta.
Currently, we are supporting six community-based organizations across Alberta to strengthen and expand local food security programs for older adults.
The program focuses on improving access to nutritious meals, culturally appropriate food, and social connection through food.
Reports & Publications
Partners
United Way of Calgary and Area would also like to thank Alberta Blue Cross as a Healthy Aging CORE Alberta founding partner.
Get in touch
For more information on Healthy Aging Alberta,
please contact: info@healthyagingalberta.ca.