February 2026
Toronto – The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) is commending the Government of Alberta for taking meaningful actions to help older adults age with dignity – actions that align with what CARP has been urging across both federal and provincial governments across Canada to prioritize: supporting aging in place, expanding home care, strengthening caregiver supports, and reducing unnecessary pressure on hospitals.
“CARP welcomes Alberta’s leadership and the fact that they listened, ” said Anthony Quinn, President of CARP. “This is exactly the direction we’ve been calling for – more home and community care, better support for caregivers, and practical non-medical services that help seniors stay independent for longer.”
A framework aligned with what CARP has long been advocating for
CARP notes that Alberta’s framework reflects key priorities that seniors across Canada have been asking government to address:
- Supporting aging in place, with a stronger focus on community-based care and supports
- Connecting patients to the right care, including clearer pathways to transition people who do not require acute care out of hospitals and into appropriate settings
- Increasing caregiver supports and improving access to non-medical services such as meal programs, transportation, and housekeeping
- Community paramedicine to support in-home care and reduce avoidable emergency department visits
- Creating a navigation portal to help Albertans find and choose assisted living and continuing care options
- A stated commitment to build significant continuing care capacity, including billions over the next decade and an immediate $400 million investment to begin adding new and upgraded spaces
“Done correctly, this approach will help seniors stay healthy, more independent, and more connected – and it helps hospitals and long-term care systems by reducing avoidable bed blocking and emergency pressures,” Quinn said.
CARP emphasized that while the direction is positive, delivery and outcome are what really matter.
“We’re going to be clear: we applaud the direction and investment of the Premier and the Government of Alberta for listening and taking- but we will also be holding their feet to the fire to deliver”, said Quinn. “Seniors and caregivers will judge true success by real-world results: timely access to appropriate care, safer options, and fewer families forced into crisis because support wasn’t there when they were needed.” By 2035, the number of seniors, aged 65 and older, is expected to reach 1 million solely in Alberta.
CARP calls on other provinces to follow suit
CARP is urging other governments to adopt the same level of urgency and focus on aging in place and continuing care capacity. Across the country, seniors face similar challenges: long waits for healthcare, strain on caregivers, and hospitals taking on problems that should be handled through community and continuing care support.
“The senior population is growing fast. And it’s far too late to build hospitals and LTC to meet the demands. Canada’s senior population is projected to increase to 10.7 million by the year 2040. Every province needs a real plan – not just to talk about aging with dignity, but to deliver it,” Quinn said.
