The Importance of Seniors in Calgary: Honouring the Past, Enriching the Future

This year’s theme is Explore, Engage, and Boldly Embrace Aging in Calgary. We invite all organizations, groups, local businesses and everyday citizens to imagine fun and inclusive celebratory events as a way to recognize Seniors’ Week. We hope to increase awareness of the week and develop a positive attitude towards aging.

Recognized annually across Alberta, Seniors’ Week takes place June 2 – 8, 2025. It’s an opportunity to show appreciation for older adults and the many contributions they make to our communities through volunteerism, assisting charities and by supporting family members and friends.

Explore, Engage, and Boldly Embrace Aging in Calgary

Calgary is a city that’s constantly growing, innovating, and evolving — but at its heart lies a community of individuals who have shaped its story from the very beginning: our seniors.

From building neighbourhoods to establishing schools, businesses, places of worship, and civic institutions, Calgary’s seniors are the architects of the city we now call home. Their life stories carry the wisdom of decades, and their continued presence enriches our society in ways that are often overlooked but deeply vital.

Stewards of History and Culture

Seniors are living archives. Their memories preserve Calgary’s earliest histories — from rural farming life and oil booms to immigration journeys and social movements. Through them, we remember what came before, and we gain perspective on how far we’ve come. They connect us to traditions, languages, and cultures that risk being lost in the rapid pace of modern life.

For Indigenous elders, immigrant seniors, and long-time Calgarians alike, storytelling is not just a pastime — it is a form of legacy.

Vital Contributors to Community Life

Far from being passive recipients of care, seniors in Calgary are active contributors to our civic and cultural life. Many serve as volunteers, mentors, caregivers, and community leaders. They fuel Calgary’s nonprofit sector with their time and compassion. In multigenerational households, they provide emotional and financial support that sustains families.

Senior artists, musicians, writers, and cultural practitioners also play an essential role in keeping Calgary’s creative spirit alive — enriching festivals, public programming, and educational spaces with intergenerational value.

Driving the Senior Economy

The economic impact of Calgary’s older population is significant. From supporting local businesses to participating in the growing wellness and senior living industries, their choices influence everything from housing design to healthcare policy.

According to Stats Canada, Alberta’s senior population is growing faster than any other age group — and by 2030, nearly one in five Calgarians will be over 65. This demographic shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity: to reimagine how cities can become age-friendly, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of older adults.

The Need for Intergenerational Connection

As digital life becomes more dominant, seniors remind us of the value of face-to-face connection, handwritten letters, and patient conversations. They model emotional resilience, frugality, and perseverance — traits that are more relevant than ever.

Programs that connect youth and seniors — from mentorship in schools to community gardening and arts initiatives — strengthen Calgary’s social fabric and combat the isolation that many older adults face.

Building an Age-Friendly Calgary

The City of Calgary has taken strides toward becoming an “age-friendly” city, with improved transit access, walkability, and community programming tailored to seniors. But more needs to be done. Affordable housing, culturally appropriate healthcare, and inclusive public spaces must continue to evolve as our population ages.

Investing in seniors is not a cost — it’s a commitment to building a city rooted in dignity, respect, and wisdom. It’s about recognizing that the future of Calgary includes those who helped build it.

Our Commitment

At LetsGoCalgary.ca, we believe that every Calgarian — regardless of age — deserves a vibrant, connected, and meaningful life. Let’s honour our seniors not just with gratitude, but with action, advocacy, and inclusion. After all, Calgary isn’t just for the young or the old — it’s for all of us.