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Find care details, insights, and insider perspectives gained from 20+ years of helping seniors and families.
What to know about this topic:
- The benefits of an independent living retirement home
- Tips on moving forward and making the right choice
- Moving to Alberta from out of the province
Independent senior living homes provide you with everything you would never dream of having in your own home. Included in the luxuries and amenities you might find in Alberta’s independent living homes are on-site mail service, light housekeeping, transportation services, personal laundry, and planned activities like bingo. You’ll never be lonely here, but instead you'll find yourself surrounded by others at the same stage of life, who share your history and concerns. Find a community below.
IN-DEPTH REPORTSIndependent living in Alberta
The Manor Villages StayWell Manor
Staywell Manor Village offers elegant retirement living in the heart of Calgary. Whether you are looking for independent living, assisted living or memory care, we have lifestyle options to meet your needs.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Chartwell Fountains of Mission Retirement Residence
Enjoy an exceptional retirement lifestyle centred on convenience, culture and the comfort of family.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
The Manor Village at Fish Creek Park
Within walking distance of one of Calgary’s finest parks in SW Calgary, this unique all-inclusive community provide a wide range of services and amenities for every lifestyle choice.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Chartwell Heritage Valley Retirement Residence
The lifestyle at Chartwell Heritage Valley is ideal for active & independent individuals. Spend your time exactly how you choose in an airy atmosphere with natural light. Flexible private support services also available.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Chartwell Wescott Retirement Residence
An upscale retirement community with art studio, pool, yoga room and more. Located in Ambleside (Windermere) in south Edmonton with convenient access to coffee shops, grocery stores, restaurants and shopping.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care
Garrison Green by United Active Living
At Garrison Green by United Active Living, we offer memory care, independent, and assisted living. Enjoy spacious suites, in-suite laundry, fitness studio, art studio, flexible dining, underground parking and much more!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Garneau Hall Seniors Community
Located in the heart of the Garneau district of Edmonton, Garneau Hall offers seniors a caring environment with the added comforts of home and the opportunity for an enriched new life.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Trinity Lodge - Verve Senior Living
Trinity Lodge Retirement Residence combines the elegance & style of a fine traditional hotel, with the security & warmth associated with senior living. Homecare staff is available 24/7 to give you support when needed.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Lake Bonavista Village - Verve Senior Living
Lake Bonavista Village Retirement Residence is the perfect place for seniors to retire. You can choose from a variety of suite sizes in the main building or one of our unique cottages.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Verve Aspen Woods
Located in one of Calgary’s most desirable neighbourhoods, with the Rocky Mountains outside and beautifully appointed amenities within, Verve Aspen Woods offers the perfect setting for your active enjoyment of life.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Wild Rose
At Optima Living, we offer a tailored approach where the resident is the focus of all of our endeavours and we strive to fulfil all our residents’ needs so that they can live their best possible life!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Boardwalk Retirement Community
Welcome to the BRC, a beautiful assisted living facility located in the heart of Calgary's NW. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that your loved ones are safe and cared for with our friendly and passionate staff.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
River Ridge Seniors Village
A premier Park Place residence in the heart of Medicine Hat offering independent living, supportive living, and long term care options. With spectacular views and services, River Ridge is a warm place to call home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Emerald Gardens Retirement Residence
A premier retirement community located in the heart of Grande Prairie, Alberta focused on independent living. Emerald Gardens provides quality services to enhance your current lifestyle.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Trico LivingWell
Trico LivingWell is designed to empower older adults to live their best lives by facilitating inclusivity and togetherness through a holistic health, empathetic and personalized approach to aging.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace a variety of suites styles with kitchenettes and incredible mountain views. It's the perfect residence for seniors who are active, require some assistance, or have memory care needs.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Dr. Hemstock Retirement Residence and Hearthstone Place Verve Senior Living
At Dr. Hemstock Residence & Hearthstone Place, our highly-skilled group of health care professionals and qualified staff are here to do whatever we can to ensure that all your needs are taken care of.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
The Lodge at Valley Ridge - Verve Senior Living
At The Lodge at Valley Ridge, you'll enjoy spacious suites, impressive cuisine, and exceptional services. We have recently renovated. We welcome the opportunity to show you our great community.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Aster Gardens
Aster Gardens, an Optima Living community, opened in March 2021, we are transforming Senior's living. You are going to love living here....Let Us Welcome You Home!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care
Riverwalk Retirement Residence - Verve Senior Living
Riverwalk Retirement Residence is centrally located in the Cliff Bungalow-Mission community of Calgary. We offer a continuum of care including Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
The Wellington Retirement Residence
As a premier Park Place multi-level care residence, The Wellington provides Independent and Supportive Living options for seniors seeking to maintain your independence while enjoying access and services to amenities.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Evanston Summit
A Catholic non-profit residence focusing on providing a lifestyle for independent seniors who appreciate the opportunity to live stress-free, with like-minded, active older adults.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
The benefits of an independent living retirement home
An independent living retirement home will mitigate many risks in your life: your community will almost certainly have round-the-clock security and a team of staff ready to respond to your needs. Some independent living residences in Alberta may have nurses on staff when there are care options such as long-term care or memory care in the same building or complex. No matter what, you will live safely, freely, and comfortably.
Other common features of independent living work together to immediately make your life better:
- Communal dining means that you don't have to buy your own groceries, make your own meals, clean up dishes or eat by yourself. (You may also have the option of eating in your own suite if you want privacy, of course.) Studies show that people eat healthier when they eat with other people. That's just one aspect of independent living that can improve your health and well-being.
- Communal living with peers is also beneficial. You'll live with people who share your values and experiences and there's an opportunity to develop deeply trusting relationships with people your own age. People will be looking out for you, and homes are easy to get around in and full of comfortable meeting areas.
- Housekeeping and other in-home services free up time to let you pursue new interests.
- Safety and Security: Homes are designed with optimal accessibility features like ramps and elevators that maximize safety over what most seniors live with when they choose to stay at home. In-suite features will often optimize bathroom, bathing and kitchen safety, and suites are designed for the best security and comfort you can dream of. Homes will often have onsite security and round-the-clock staff to safeguard your security.
- Social Interaction — Daily activities inside one of these communities include communal meals and other community activities where you can make new friends, get out and stay active. Many people find themselves revived and renewed when they move into a communal living environment. Most residences are designed with numerous communal areas (both indoors and out) so you can choose where to hang out and who to chat with. In a vibrant community, you'll feel newly charged. Many communities offer hobby times and other opportunities to discover new interests and interact with other residents.
- Keeping busy — Staying active is great to keep both your brain healthy and your body fit! Indeed, independent living homes will provide you with many programs and activities.
- Dining in a number of homes listed here is especially exquisite. Homes offer gourmet dining and highly nutritious and delicious meals, and you may be able to choose you own menu. You can even invite friends and family to eat with you for a reduced rate. Some residences also have their own general store, round-the-clock snack bar and a variety of other excellent food features.
- Excellent amenities like fitness classes, gardens, onsite pubs, restaurants, stores and more.
Tips on moving forward and making the right choice
Alberta’s independent senior living homes are a great improvement over the retirement homes of the past: cleaner, more spacious, more practically designed, safer and more secure than ever. One of the most common concerns that seniors have when they are considering moving to a retirement home is the emotional turmoil such a lifestyle change may bring. However, independent living retirement communities will give you the chance to bring touches of your own home with you (many homes allow pets, for example).
Seniors who have moved into an independent living home often find themselves with a renewed love of life. They say things like, "I wish I had done this earlier" or "I want to stay here for years more, this is my new home." When moving into an independent living home, you have to look ahead and look at it as an opportunity. There are many advantages to this over living on your own in your own home or living with family. In the end, it really does help you keep your independence in a way that other arrangements do not.
As you look at Alberta independent senior living, take along The Ultimate Retirement Tour Checklist, a handy guide full of questions and notes you might not otherwise think of. Print off as many copies as you need!
TOOLS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE
Moving to Alberta from out of the province
Because independent living reduces many of the burdens on your life (i.e. maintenance), you will have more time to seize opportunities that you may have put off until now.
Are you ready to move?
In our new guide to making the move, we look at facing your own last minute trepidation, things to get excited about and how communities welcome you.
Take a full look at adjusting to independent living.
For anyone moving from out of the province, Alberta is a great place to retire for a few reasons:
- Alberta does not have provincial or harmonized sales tax, so you will have more money to spend on leisure.
- The province's two largest and liveliest cities, Edmonton and Calgary, offer a wide variety of attractions. West Edmonton Mall alone is worth moving to that city for, while both cities have major sports franchises, excellent live theatre and a vibrant night life. Those are things that will attract family, and they will want to stay close to you if you settle in one of those cities near them. Alberta as a whole has lots to offer.
- Alberta is also rich with nature, like Banff National Park, Jasper and of course many other spectacular Rocky Mountain places to visit and view. Here, you will have plenty of time to relax amidst a soothing atmosphere.
Many of Alberta's independent senior living retirement homes very rightfully brag about the beautiful views they offer, the local scenery and the spectacular vistas of the Rocky Mountains and its foothills.