When it comes to senior living, facilities, location, amenities, activities and costs matter. However, there is another factor. Engagement and quality of life are vital.
The Canadian senior living market is big business, valued in the billions (estimated $15.67B in 2025) and projected to grow significantly. Stats show that Alberta is home to approximately 830,000 seniors, a number that is expected to grow to more than one million by 2033. At the moment, there are approximately 25,000 retirement housing units in Alberta, offering a range of community types: independent living, aging in place, assisted living, nursing homes and designated supportive living (DSL).
Right here in Edmonton, senior living is a major and rapidly growing business, driven by the “grey wave” of aging Baby Boomers. The location, design and amenities of Edmonton’s senior living facilities is a story of huge demand and occupancy, significant investment interest (from REITs and others), high occupancy rates and projections for expansion over the next 10-15 years as GenX also graduates into the senior phase of life.
Edmonton’s public and private senior living facilities differ when it comes to factors like of management and funding. Public retirement homes are administered by the Ministry of Health and Social Services. The government owns the buildings and its administration is centralized. Government subsidized senior living is publicly funded care, long-term care homes or nursing homes, or living at home with assistance services.
Private senior living facilities are managed by owners or real estate groups, and all private senior living residences in Edmonton must obtain a certification of compliance from the Ministry in order to operate.
For Edmonton seniors (now and eventually), key wants and needs include aging in place; flexible health and personal care; strong social connections; accessible and affordable housing; and community engagement and support with activities and services like transport, meals and recreation.
Senior living lifestyle concerns broadly fall into several key categories: health and physical well-being, mental and emotional health, independence and safety and financial and social supports.
Health and physical well-being include chronic health conditions like as arthritis, asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Weakening bones and muscles can lead to mobility challenges and increased risk of falls. Cognitive decline, like memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s also fall into this category. Health and mobility issues can often result in a lifestyle that becomes more and more sedentary with aging, causing seniors to spend more time indoors and alone. Depression and anxiety, due to the loss of loved ones, declining physical health and the stress of moving are factors to consider.
Recent stats show that mental and emotional health, loneliness and social isolation are also major concerns that must be addressed when considering long-term senior living. Multiple studies have shown the adverse effects of loneliness, including an increase in the risk of anxiety, depression, cognitive decline and even a shortened life span.
Nutrition and meal preparation are affected, too, as seniors often face difficulties with grocery shopping or cooking.
The perceived loss of independence, because many seniors fear moving into a facility will result in a loss of autonomy, must also be addressed.
Knowing these popular concerns proactively helps seniors and their families make informed decisions.
In Edmonton, although senior living facilities are booming, some seniors maintain a strong preference for staying home (if necessary, supported by home care and community programs), partially because Edmonton’s long-term care waitlists can be long.
“There is an increased emphasis on healthy aging and aging well,” explains Beth Wilkey, sessional instructor in MacEwan University’s Gerontology program. “There are also many more choices available to seniors to maintain their health. Seniors are more informed, especially about their health, and as in society at large, there is an increased focus on the mental health and social needs of older adults.”
While the design and amenities of senior living facilities are state-of-the-art and appealing, there is more and more emphasis on what gerontologists call “interconnected living” or community engagement – exploring the benefits and opportunities of the community where the senior living housing is located.
Healthy aging is not just about avoiding disease. It also involves staying actively engaged in life and social well-being. Especially for senior living lifestyles, community engagement has documented health benefits. It combats isolation, reduces loneliness and promotes connection.
Community engagement in senior living means actively involving residents in social, mental and physical activities to combat isolation, build connections and improve overall well-being, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.
Some popular activities for senior living in Edmonton include social groups like book clubs; card games; discussion groups and music clubs and wellness and fitness like chair yoga, Tai Chi, walking clubs or group exercises. There are also hobbies and learning like art classes, gardening, woodworking, educational seminars and themed parties.
Purposeful volunteering is an excellent form of community engagement. Some facilities offer seniors the chance to become mentors; engage in charity events; do community service projects and go on community outings to local events, parks and attractions.
Community engagement improves mental, emotional and physical health, provides purpose by creating a sense of achievement and meaning, boosts cognition and keeps minds sharp with activities like trivia and learning. It also increases satisfaction, leading to a more fulfilled daily life.
Community engagement is the latest focus of senior living providers – and it is making a difference.
“It’s great that there is increased emphasis on the mental health and social needs of seniors,” Wilkey concludes. “It is as important, if not more, than other types of health needs. Community engagement creates opportunity, although like every stage of life, there can be some challenges; maybe mobility issues, chronic health concerns, financial concerns, transportation concerns and isolation.”
It is proven fact of senior living! Community engagement leads to better health and happiness and provides seniors with opportunities to remain connected, fulfilled and thriving.
