Finding Your Way: Navigating Supports for Older Adults

Part One: Understanding the Landscape of Senior Care

When someone reaches out to me for guidance, they often say the same thing:

“I don’t even know where to start.” 

Supporting an older adult, whether a parent, relative, or someone in your community, can feel like stepping into a maze of programs, paperwork, and phone calls. Even when families know help exists, figuring out how to access it can feel overwhelming.

That is why I’m starting a new blog series called Finding Your Way. Each month, I’ll cover a different area of planning and support for older adults, with practical, step-by-step guidance. The goal is to help you feel more informed, empowered, and confident as you navigate what can often feel like a complex system.

This month’s focus is on one of the most common challenges families face: how to navigate supports for older adults in Alberta. Whether you are just starting out or already deep in the process, these first steps can help you find your footing and understand the options available.

Step 1: Start with What You Know

Before exploring the systems themselves, it helps to clarify what your immediate priorities are. Consider:

• What kind of help is needed right now?

• Are there specific safety, health, or daily living concerns?

• Who is already helping and in what capacity?

• Are there upcoming transitions or changes to plan for?
  

You don’t need to solve everything at once. Even jotting down a simple list can help you see where gaps exist and which areas to tackle first.

Step 2: Understanding Supports for Older Adults

Supports in Alberta now operate under a significant change: the creation of Assisted Living Alberta. This is part of a larger transformation of the provincial health system, which is now organized into four pillars:

1. Primary Care Alberta – family doctors and day-to-day medical care

2. Acute Care Alberta – hospitals and specialized health services

3. Recovery Alberta – mental health and addiction services

4. Assisted Living Alberta – continuing care, home supports, and supportive living

   
   

What does this mean for families?

Essentially, the supports many people were familiar with under the previous system, often referred to as Alberta Health Services or AHS, are now being transitioned into these agencies.

Knowing this can actually be empowering. When you understand the structure, you can approach each pillar with purpose, asking the right questions and identifying who can best guide you. For example, if you are seeking home support, you now know to start by contacting Assisted Living Alberta. If you are navigating hospital services or specialized care, Acute Care Alberta would be the point of entry.

Step 3: Identify Entry Points to Access Support for Seniors

Even with this new structure, you don’t have to figure it out alone. A few practical starting points include:

• Assisted Living Alberta assessments for home support or supportive living needs

• Community organizations offering programs like meal delivery, transportation, or social connection

• Financial and government supports such as Alberta Seniors Benefit, Special Needs Assistance, or Aids to Daily Living
  

Small steps like making a list of questions or documenting contacts can save a lot of time and frustration. One phone call or referral often opens doors to multiple resources you may not have known existed.

Step 4: Keep a Simple System for Tracking

Once you begin connecting with programs, keep everything organized. A notebook, digital folder, or binder for:

• Contact information

• Notes from calls or emails

• Copies of applications or forms

• Follow-up dates
  

Even a simple system gives you clarity and reduces the stress of remembering everything.

Step 5: Take It One Step at a Time

Many families feel pressure to have everything figured out immediately. The reality is that navigating supports is a process. Start with one area, track your progress, and build from there. Asking for help, pacing yourself, and celebrating small wins along the way matters just as much as the planning itself.

I have worked with many families who were frustrated and unsure about where to start. I have also been in their shoes in my own life, learning firsthand how confusing the system can feel. That experience helps me focus on providing guidance in a way that is realistic, compassionate, and practical. You don’t need to have all the answers. Taking the first step with clarity and support can make a meaningful difference.

Looking Ahead

In Part Two of Finding Your Way, we will explore healthcare supports and home services in Alberta, including how to access them under the new system and how to combine them effectively.

Navigating supports for older adults doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. With a few clear steps and guidance, you can move forward with confidence and reduce the stress of figuring it out on your own.

At Peace of Mind Consulting, I help families understand their options, clarify next steps, and move forward with practical solutions. Together, we can find the path that fits your situation best. Reach out to learn how I can help.