Age-Friendly Calgary
Age-Friendly Calgary
The population of seniors in Calgary is growing and is expected to continue growing in the coming decades. According to the 2021 Federal Census there were 177,405 Calgarians aged 65 years and over, up 28 per cent from 138,405 in 2016. Over the past 20 years, the population aged 65 years and over was the fastest growing age group in Calgary. It is forecast that the population of Calgarians aged 65 years and over will to increase by 79 per cent to 295,000 by 2041 (The City of Calgary, Corporate Economics, 2021 population forecast).
Through collaboration with older adult community members, other levels of government and members of the health, post-secondary, non-profits and private sectors, the Age Friendly Calgary strategy was created to prepare for Calgary’s aging population. The strategy was approved by Calgary City Council in June 2015.
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the International Year of Older Persons
The International Year of Older Persons (IYOP) was declared by the United Nations in 1999. Its goal was to raise awareness about the valuable contributions older adults make to society and address issues related to aging. The year was marked by various events and initiatives to promote the well-being of older adults and emphasize their rights.
In 1999, The City, alongside community partners and citizens, created a time capsule and Friendship Quilt to celebrate the IYOP. These items are a tribute to older adults and their invaluable role in our community. We invite you to join us for the 25th Anniversary event of the International Year of Older Persons, where we will unveil this time capsule and reflect on the significance of the Friendship Quilt. This celebration will take us on a journey through the past, reflecting on the hopes and dreams of older adults 25 years ago. We’ll also look ahead, discussing community aspirations for aging over the next 25 years. This is your chance to honour older adults' contributions and collaborate on envisioning a thriving, age-friendly future.
Event details:
Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2024
International Day of Older Persons
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall – Municipal Complex – 800 Macleod Tr. S.E.
If you have any questions about this event, please email us at agefriendlycalgary@calgary.ca.
Ageism awareness Golden: The End of Ageism
Age-Friendly Calgary and THIRD ACTion Film Festival hosted simulcast screenings and in-person events that featured scenes from the documentary Golden: The End of Ageism. Two events were hosted at the Central Library and at seven host partner locations in Calgary, as well as across Alberta. The full documentary can be found on YouTube and is a great platform to inspire meaningful conversations about ageism, especially for the younger generation. For individuals or groups interested in running their own ageism session, please access the discussion questions to help guide your conversation. In addition, a list of resources is available to share with others.
These events were part of a growing global movement to end age bias and reawaken the joys of getting older. Please contact agefriendlycalgary@calgary.ca if you have questions. Find additional Resources for Ageism.
Discussion Questions Ageism Film & Discussion Event Toolkit-
Learn about the strategy and implementation plans.
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There are numerous programs, services, and initiatives that support seniors in Calgary. Here you can find information on these programs and on the Age-Friendly Calgary monthly newsletters.
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Learn about Steering Committee members, Older Adult Advisory Table members and the members of the Age-Friendly Calgary Network.
Find information about the work we do through action teams, projects, Meetups, and our connections to Healthy Aging Alberta.
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Find links to population data, position papers, archived documents or reports.
Subscribe to our Age-Friendly Calgary newsletter to stay informed about the project and what we are doing in Calgary.