The Council Task Force on Seniors Housing, Health, and Supports and Services Sub-Committees are continuing to research what seniors in the community need.
“There has been so much research and exploration of this community in the past, there is so much information to access and to base anything on that I don’t think anymore can be done in that way,” said Council Task Force on Seniors Co-Chair Sherri Standish.
Since May, various meetings and events have been conducted which gathered information from seniors about what they would like to see in the community.
The Supports and Services Sub-Committee held an Aging and Engaging Event in June, where 54 people were split into seven groups and asked to have group discussions regarding set questions.
“As a member of the task force on the Supports and Services Sub-Committee, this seemed like a pretty big fish when we started, and it was exactly that,” said City Councillor Michelle Young.
“The task force has done a remarkable job, and now it’s going to be our job to take all of that information and bring something to this community for our seniors,” she added.
The Health Sub-Committee has identified two goals, which include looking at the health needs of Chestermere seniors to age in place in their own homes, and to age in their community with support.
“They’re looking at gaps that are missing in current health services, and gaps that could enhance the current services that are here,” Standish said.
While the Housing Sub-Committee has been working on finding housing solutions for seniors in the community.
In June, it was discussed that transition housing could be a valid solution.
However, if Chestermere starts with downsized independent housing and can show the demand, then the assisted living facility will become apparent as a future need in the municipality, Standish said.
“Based on our efforts, City Council is to ensure Chestermere seniors can age in place and have a safe place to live,” Standish added.
There was also a presentation in August by Schulman Design, which offers design services and products for the aging population.
During the presentation, Schulman Design provided information on their past projects which including a custom-aging-in-place home on West Chestermere Drive and a campus of care that is being proposed for the community.
The campus of care would include an auditorium, pool, parkade, and 10 bungalows housing seven individuals on three acres, which is estimated to cost three million per residence.
“We’ve made progress, and everyone definitely has put in a lot of time. Everyone is very passionate about what it is that’s being done, and the staff support has been awesome,” said Council Task Force on Seniors Co-Chair Cathy Burness.
Mayor Marshall Chalmers added, “We’re done studying; it’s time for action.”
