A new initiative is aiming to help support seniors in Strathmore.
Kennedy Senior Services launched a subsidized care program called the Seniors Matter Initiative on Aug. 1 for low-income seniors aged 55 and over. The service has partnered with the Strathmore Bottle Depot to raise money through bottle drives.
"I had quite a few seniors who were low income calling in frustrated that they couldn't afford us, yet there was nothing out there for them to access," said Desiree Kennedy, owner of the senior care organization. "They're not satisfied with the government-provided care through AHS and they're looking for a buffer, yet they can't afford the privatized care."
Kennedy revealed that four of their clients are currently using the low-income rates for their care. Under the service, those in need can access homecare, companionship, transportation, palliative support, and light housekeeping.
The subsidized rates are funded by bottle drives organized by Kennedy Senior Services and Strathmore Bottle Depot. Kennedy also raises funds through a Seniors Matter Initiative merchandise line set up in The Rack on 3rd.
Being a farming community, Kennedy noted transportation is a significant issue for Strathmore residents who can no longer drive to Calgary.
"Not everybody can go to their appointments and errands alone," she said. "They run a high risk of not receiving proper medical care when they cannot get to their appointments."
Before launching the initiative, Kennedy helped a senior who couldn't find an affordable ride for her appointment.
"She was crying. She couldn't afford to take a taxi into Calgary, and she didn't have any family to take her anywhere. So, I took her. I did it for pro bono," said Kennedy. "She was very grateful for that, and since then, she has booked in a few more times with me."
However, transportation isn't the only issue. Kennedy added that low-income seniors who can't afford care face serious risks.
"When you're in your house and you don't have proper care, it leads to hospitalization, and that leads to long-term care when potentially that could be avoided."
The growing population of seniors in Strathmore is also a concern for Kennedy.
"I think we don't even know yet what the need is," she stated. "I think it's coming up on us fast and I don't think anybody's prepared enough for it."
According to a 2024 demographic estimate from The Data Insider, Strathmore's senior population aged 65 years and older reached 2,855, an increase from 2,545 in 2021, as reported in the 2021 Census by Statistics Canada.
A 2024 report from the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, titled Attraction and Retention Strategy for Rural Health Care Professionals, projects that Alberta's 65-plus population will rise from about 15 per cent in 2024 to approximately 20 per cent by 2051. The same report notes that, by 2031, the number of Albertans aged 65 years and over is expected to exceed the number of children under 15.
Kennedy emphasized the need to be prepare and prioritize seniors' health.
"It's becoming more and more prominent that people are needing [care]," she said. "They're needing somebody to stay with them and that helps relieve families, because families cannot afford to take time off work."
"I feel like a lot of seniors don't feel seen or heard," she reflected.
As the need for affordable care grows, Kennedy is hoping that the new initiative can make a meaningful difference for seniors residing in Strathmore and inspire greater community support from residents, business, and local leaders.