Issuu

ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

IN THIS ISSUE: Leander K. Lane: A Legacy Worth Leaving Bucket List Travel Shouldn’t Be a Guilt Trip The Conversations That Matter: Talking, Planning & Preparing for the Years Ahead Retirement Income 101: Turning Your Savings into a Paycheque “Boomers” With a Little More Zip! Chappelle Gardens Residents Association Social House Visit us online at albertaseniorliving.ca

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In this issue ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

Health & Wellness 16

The Sandwich Years When People in Their 50s & 60s Are Caring for Parents in Their 80s & 90s By Tammy Lautner

Peripheral Neuropathy Doesn’t Have to Be the End of the Story By Accessible Acupuncture

Give Hope For Future Generations Facing Cancer One Day, Your Legacy Could Change Everything for Those Who Hear ‘You Have Cancer’ By Alberta Cancer Foundation

The Plan Caregivers Actually Need (It’s Not “Take a Break”) By Melanie Hval, MN, RN

Lifestyle & Inspiration

On The Cover 9

Leander K. Lane A Legacy Worth Leaving By Kerri Leland

Dear Readers… 6

Letter From The Editor By Kerri Leland

Letter From The Honourable Nathan Neudorf Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services

The Physical, Mental, Social & Cultural Benefits of Dancing By Susanne Greenhowe-Weis

Planning Ahead Smart Conversations That Make Future Living Decisions Easier By Ginger Bitzer

Travel & Leisure 28

Bucket List Travel Shouldn’t Be a Guilt Trip By Alison Phillips

Fall Reads Worth Curling Up With By Aylisa Eldridge

4 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

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Published by

Allard Group of Companies Inc. Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta Serving readers across Alberta albertaseniorliving.ca hello@allardgroup.ca

Editorial Team Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Kerri Leland Creative Director: Andrew Johnstone Copy Editor: Finn Leland Chief Morale Officer: Walter John Contributing Writers: • Alberta Cancer Foundation • Ginger Bitzer • Eazy Peazy Downsizing Team • Aylisa Eldridge • Susanne Greenhowe-Weis • Melanie Hval • Maria Kupreeva

Food & Home 32

A Taste of Fall Five Dietitian-Approved Recipes for Healthy Aging By Maria Kupreeva, MSc RD

Photographers:

• Cover photo by VOH Photography

The Surprising Financial Perks of Downsizing By the Eazy Peazy Downsizing Team

Community & Connection 37

Around Alberta Events Worth Getting Out For

“Boomers” With a Little More Zip! By Kaylie Thomas

Finance & Practical Living 44

Retirement Income 101 Turning Your Savings into a Paycheque By Trixie Rowein

The New Face of Fraud Scams Every Albertan Over 55 Should Know About By Julie Matthews

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• Tammy Lautner • Kerri Leland • Julie Matthews • Dr. Melanie Morrill Dr. Ac. • Alison Phillips • Trixie Rowein • Kaylie Thomas

Advertising & Business: Advertising Sales & Partnerships: Email: hello@allardgroup.ca

Distribution Distributed throughout Alberta, including within senior living communities, recreation centres, libraries, medical offices, and other locations. Contact Us For all inquiries, please email hello@allardgroup.ca

Publication Details Published bi-monthly by Allard Group of Companies Inc.

Opinions expressed in Alberta Senior Living are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Allard Group of Companies Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Printed in Canada ISSN 2819-7577 (Print) ISSN 2819-7585 (Online)

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 5

Dear Readers

Letter from

The Editor

ow is it already September? This summer seemed to fly by, and if I’m being honest, it felt like we traded sunshine for rain and mosquitoes more often than I would have liked! Still, we weren’t about to let a few soggy weekends (or cans of bug spray) stop us from enjoying everything Alberta has to offer. My husband and I spent as much time as we could exploring our own backyard. We loved wandering through Taste of Edmonton—because who can resist trying just one more sample?— and sneaking away on camping trips around the province whenever we had the chance. There’s something about sitting around a campfire, breathing in the fresh mountain air (or prairie air!), and watching the stars come out that reminds you how lucky we are to call Alberta home. As much as I’m not quite ready to pack away my flip-flops, I have to admit there’s something I love about the arrival of fall. The cooler mornings, changing leaves, and excuse to pull

out a cozy sweater make September feel like a fresh start. While everyone talks about New Year’s resolutions, I think autumn is the season that quietly encourages us to reflect, reset, and look ahead. That couldn’t be more fitting for this issue. Our cover story introduces you to Leander Lane, whose remarkable journey reminds us that retirement isn’t about slowing down; it’s about discovering what comes next. His passion for preserving his family’s history and sharing it with future generations is both inspiring and deeply moving. Throughout these pages, you’ll also find practical advice for planning ahead, navigating caregiving, and having some of those important conversations that are easy to put off…but can make all the difference when the time comes. And if you’ve been dreaming about that once-in-a-lifetime getaway, Alison Phillips is here with a gentle nudge to stop waiting for “someday.” (I may have started adding a few destinations to my own travel wish list after reading her article!)

6 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

Of course, we haven’t forgotten the fun, either. Be sure to check out our exciting giveaways, including an evening of laughter and yummy food at Jubilations Dinner Theatre. Whether you’re reading this with your morning coffee, curled up under a blanket on a cool fall evening, or sneaking a few quiet minutes while everyone else is busy, I hope this issue leaves you feeling inspired, informed, and excited for the season ahead. Thank you, as always, for being part of the Alberta Senior Living community. It truly means the world to all of us. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to enjoy every last bit of patio weather before winter reminds us who’s really in charge. Warmly,

Kerri Leland Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Alberta Senior Living

albertaseniorliving.ca

Dear Readers

Letter from The Honourable

Nathan Neudorf Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services

cross Alberta, seniors are helping shape the strong, caring and vibrant communities we all call home. Whether through volunteering, mentoring, caregiving, working, sharing culture and traditions, or staying active in local organizations, seniors continue to make meaningful contributions every day. As Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, I am committed to ensuring Alberta’s seniors have access to the information, supports and community connections they need to age well. Alberta is home to more than 885,000 seniors, and that number is growing each month. By 2035, more than one million Albertans will be seniors. This growth is a reminder of how important it is to plan today for the needs of tomorrow. We know that most seniors want to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible. More than 90 per cent of Alberta seniors live in private dwellings, and many want to albertaseniorliving.ca

age in place close to family, friends, neighbours and the services they rely on. That is why Alberta’s government continues to invest in programs that support independence, dignity and quality of life. In 2026-27, our government is investing more than $6 billion to support Alberta seniors. These investments include financial assistance, transportation programs, home and community supports, social and wellness activities, continuing care, home care, and elder abuse prevention. These supports help low-income seniors maintain a high quality of life by enabling access to essential services, including transportation to medical appointments, as well as remain socially active and live safely and independently. Staying informed is one of the best ways seniors and their families can make decisions with confidence. I encourage our communities to learn about the programs and services available to them for their current and future needs. Community

organizations, local seniors’ centres and Alberta government resources can help connect people with the right information at the right time. Healthy aging is about more than health care. It is about having the opportunity to participate, contribute, build relationships and feel a sense of belonging. When seniors are engaged and connected, our entire province is stronger. To Alberta’s seniors: thank you for the role you continue to play in our families, workplaces and communities. Our government will continue working with partners across the province to help you stay informed, engaged, healthy and connected, while aging with dignity in the places you call home.

Honourable Nathan Neudorf Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 7

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On The Cover

Leander K. Lane: A Legacy Worth Leaving How one man’s search for his family’s past became a mission to preserve an extraordinary chapter of Canadian history By Kerri Leland

he afternoon began with an old photograph and a handful of census records. Leander K. Lane had stopped in to visit his father, who was sorting through family documents and trying to piece together fragments of their ancestry. Spread across the table were faded photographs, government records and the name of a man who, despite being Leander’s great-grandfather, remained something of a mystery… His name was Julius Caesar Lane.

Photo courtesy of VOH Photography.

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Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 9

On The Cover

Leander Monk Lane family, circa 1932.

Born into slavery in Virginia in 1850, Julius would eventually journey to Oklahoma before travelling north to Saskatchewan, where he helped establish one of Western Canada’s earliest Black pioneer settlements. Yet as father and son compared their information, Leander made an unsettling discovery. “The historians knew more about my great-grandfather than we did,” he recalls. The realization stayed with him long after he left that afternoon. If strangers had documented his family’s story while generations of his own descendants knew so little, perhaps it was time to change that. He couldn’t have known it then, but that moment would shape the next quarter century of his life. It would lead to hundreds of hours spent combing through archives and census records, countless conversations with descendants scattered across Canada and the United States, the restoration of a historic church and

cemetery, and eventually the publication of The Road to Shiloh. Along the way, retirement would become something he had never expected—not the end of a career, but the beginning of his life’s most meaningful work. For Lane, preserving history has never been about looking backward for nostalgia’s sake. It’s about understanding who we are, where we come from, and what we owe to those whose stories might otherwise disappear. “I believe there’s a deep human need to understand our background and our roots,” he says. “I only wish I’d started asking more questions while there were still more people around to answer them.” GROWING UP WITH QUESTIONS

Long before he became an author, historian and sought-after speaker, Leander was simply a curious boy who loved books. His parents couldn’t easily afford it, but they purchased a set of encyclope-

10 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

dias for their home because they recognized their son’s appetite for learning. He read them for pleasure, absorbing everything from science to world history, earning the nickname “the professor” from friends who marvelled at how much he seemed to know. That curiosity became a constant throughout his life. Growing up in Alberta during the 1960s and early 1970s, however, curiosity wasn’t reserved solely for books. It was often directed at him. As the son of a Black father who had been born and raised on a Saskatchewan farm and a Scots-Irish mother from Edmonton, Lane regularly found himself answering questions about his background. “What are you?” people would ask. “Where are you from?” He developed what he jokingly calls “stock answers,” explaining that his father was Black, his mother was white, and that his father’s family had farmed in Saskatchewan. While most people albertaseniorliving.ca

On The Cover

Leander K. Lane with parents, circa 1956.

Leander K. Lane.

accepted the explanation, many found it difficult to believe there had been Black farming communities on the Canadian Prairies. Those conversations could easily have fostered frustration or resentment. Instead, they strengthened his desire to understand his own identity. He proudly embraced his Black heritage, admired leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali, followed the Civil Rights Movement unfolding in the United States and eagerly read Roots when it was published. Yet his understanding of identity would continue to evolve in unexpected ways. As a young man, he fell in love with Betty, a young Cree woman from a reserve south of Edmonton. Through her family, he experienced Indigenous culture from the inside rather than from a distance. He attended sweat lodges, powwows, feasts and traditional ceremonies, experiences that profoundly changed his understanding of Canada’s history and

the resilience of Indigenous communities. Those years also brought unimaginable heartbreak. The couple lost a daughter they named Feather, who was stillborn. Even now, more than four decades later, Lane remembers the ceremony that followed with remarkable clarity. He remembers the scent of burning sweetgrass and sage drifting through the air. He remembers the pipe ceremony, the drumming and the feast shared afterward. Amid profound grief, he also found a deep sense of community, compassion and healing. “It was a whole different world from the one I’d grown up in,” he says. Living among the Cree gave him a perspective few Canadians experience firsthand. He saw parallels between the histories of Indigenous peoples and Black communities—histories marked by hardship, perseverance and remarkable resilience despite generations of discrimination.

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Those lessons would quietly shape the way he approached history for the rest of his life. SKILLS FOR A FUTURE HE COULDN’T YET IMAGINE

Like many young adults, Lane’s immediate priority wasn’t preserving history. It was building a stable life. At 21, he joined Canadian National Railway as a labourer, following a path familiar to many members of his family, who had built careers in public service. Steady employment, good benefits and a pension represented security, particularly for a young man raising a growing family. What began as a job evolved into a 34-year career. He first became a journeyman pipefitter before later retraining as a heavyduty diesel mechanic when structural changes within the company required employees to adapt. The transition was daunting. Returning to school in his late 30s

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 11

On The Cover

Top: Shiloh Baptist cemetery Below: Shiloh Baptist Church NE of Maidstone, SK.

wasn’t something he had planned, but he threw himself into the challenge. Looking back, he laughs that he developed study habits in adulthood that he never mastered in high school. That willingness to embrace change became one of the defining characteristics of his life. It also reinforced a lesson he still shares with audiences today: you’re never too old to learn something new. The practical skills he acquired served his family well for decades. Plumbing repairs, home renovations, vehicle maintenance and countless other projects became opportunities to save money and solve problems himself. But another education was taking place alongside the trades. When Lane joined CN, the company was hiring people from around the world. His coworkers included immigrants from Lebanon, Uganda, India, the Caribbean, Africa, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. Lunchroom conversations became

Leander’s grandfather Leander Monk Lane and father Leander Junior Lane.

informal lessons in world history. He listened as coworkers described the countries they had left behind, the conflicts they had escaped and the hopes that had brought them to Canada. In return, they were fascinated by his own story as a Canadian of both African American and European ancestry who had also been welcomed into an Indigenous family. “I learned a tremendous amount about the outside world,” he says. “I might never have known those stories otherwise.” At the time, Lane saw those conversations simply as friendships. Only later did he realize they had nurtured something that would become central to his work: a genuine curiosity about other people’s histories and a deep respect for preserving them. That curiosity followed him home. When he wasn’t working or raising his children, he found himself reading more history, asking more questions and slowly gathering pieces of his own

12 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

family’s story—small discoveries that, years later, would prove invaluable. He didn’t know it then, but he was already preparing for the chapter of life that would define his legacy.

“I believe a successful retirement starts long before retirement itself,” he says. “People need interests outside of work. If your entire identity is wrapped up in your career, retirement can leave a tremendous void.” RETIREMENT BECOMES A BEGINNING

When Lane retired from CN in 2010 after 34 years of service, he was just 55 years old. Some questioned whether he was leaving too soon. After all, another decade of work would have meant a larger pension. But Lane had watched albertaseniorliving.ca

Shiloh Baptist Church interior.

On The Cover

too many colleagues postpone retirement only to see poor health rob them of the opportunity to enjoy it. “I’d seen people work until 65, only to become sick or pass away shortly after retiring,” he says. “I wanted to enjoy life while I still could.” Today, he has spent nearly half as many years in retirement as he did working, and he has never once regretted the decision. Retirement allowed him to travel with his wife, spend more time with his children and grandchildren, and become the kind of grandfather who could attend school events, sporting competitions and family celebrations without shift work getting in the way. Nine of his 12 grandchildren have been born since he retired, giving him the opportunity to be a constant presence in their lives. More importantly, retirement gave him something increasingly rare: uninterrupted time to pursue a passion. Long before his last day at CN, Lane had already begun researching his family history and volunteering with the Shiloh Baptist Church and Cemetery Restoration Society, which he helped establish in 2002. Without the demands of full-time work, he was finally able to immerse himself in the research that had quietly occupied his evenings and weekends for years. “I believe a successful retirement starts long before retirement itself,” he says. “People need interests outside of work. If your entire identity is wrapped up in your career, retirement can leave a tremendous void.” Over the years, he has watched former coworkers struggle with that transition. Some became restless. Others felt adrift without the routines and responsibilities that had defined their working lives. Lane’s experience has been very different. Rather than searching for a new purpose, he simply devoted more time to one he had already discovered. FOLLOWING THE TRAIL TO SHILOH

The deeper Lane dug into his family’s history, the more remarkable the story became. His great-grandfather, Julius Caesar Lane, had been born into slavery in Virginia in 1850 before eventually making his way to Oklahoma after emancipation. In 1909, seeking new opportunities and greater freedom, he travelled north to Saskatchewan and claimed a homestead northeast of Maidstone. He didn’t come alone for long. albertaseniorliving.ca

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 13

On The Cover

Leander at work at CN.

After securing land, Julius returned to Oklahoma and encouraged other African American families to join him. In the spring of 1910, eleven more families arrived to establish what became known as the Shiloh settlement. Many of those early settlers had themselves been born into slavery before beginning entirely new lives on the Canadian Prairies. For Lane, these weren’t simply historical facts. These were his ancestors. Yet when he first began researching, very little of that history had been preserved within his own family. That realization became the driving force behind years of painstaking investigation. He read census records line by line. He examined land titles, birth and death registrations, marriage certificates, newspaper archives and government files. Every discovery raised new questions. Every answer led to another trail to follow. Alongside fellow volunteers, he also worked to restore Shiloh Baptist Church and the adjoining cemetery, where Julius Caesar Lane became the first person buried in 1913. Their efforts eventually earned the church Saskatchewan Provincial Heritage designation, ensuring the site would be protected for future generations. For Lane, preserving the physical landmarks was only part of the mission. Equally important were the stories.

“As knowledge of my research spread, people started contacting me from across Canada and the United States,” he says. “Many were descendants of the original settlers who knew almost nothing about their own family history.” Sometimes all he could offer was a census record or an old newspaper clipping. Other times it was a marriage certificate, a homestead application or a photograph someone had never seen before. To the families receiving them, those discoveries meant far more than pieces of paper. “They were reconnecting with people they’d never really known.” One young relative told him his research had helped her “find her way home.” Lane has never forgotten those words. “They meant everything.” A BOOK DECADES IN THE MAKING

Although The Road to Shiloh was published only recently, its beginnings stretch back more than 20 years. As he uncovered new pieces of history, Lane began writing short stories and historical reflections for newsletters produced by the restoration society. Later, he shared many of those stories on Facebook, where family and friends repeatedly encouraged him to keep writing. Looking back now, he smiles at those early drafts. “I cringe at the grammar and punctuation,” he admits. “But people looked past all of that because they connected with the stories.” Without realizing it, he had been gathering the building blocks of a book. Years later, he enrolled in writing courses through continuing education to strengthen his skills. Piece by piece, the manuscript began taking shape, drawing together years of research into a narrative that honoured both his ancestors and the wider Black pioneer community that once flourished on the Prairies.

14 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

Writing also revealed something unexpected about himself. “I discovered I loved research,” he says. “I also discovered I had the patience and perseverance for it.” Just as importantly, he found that he loved teaching. Today, Lane speaks regularly about Black Canadian history, introducing audiences to stories many have never heard before. Even recent immigrants from Africa are often surprised to learn that Black families have been living in Western Canada for well over a century. “I became a teacher,” he says simply. It’s a role that seems to suit him. STRENGTH THROUGH LOSS

Life, however, has never followed a straight path. In 1994, Lane’s first wife, Betty, died suddenly, leaving him a widower with six children. At the same time, he was retraining as a heavy-duty mechanic, balancing demanding coursework with shift work and the responsibilities of raising a young family. “It was tough going,” he says. Eventually, he met the woman who would become his wife, and together they blended their families, raising eight children. Years later came another devastating loss when one of his sons died during Canada’s opioid crisis. Like many parents who have experienced unimaginable grief, Lane questioned everything. For a time, he admits, he struggled. Eventually, though, he found himself returning to the stories of those who had come before him. His ancestors had survived slavery, racism, poverty, harsh prairie winters and countless personal hardships. Remembering their resilience helped him rediscover his own. Writing became more than research; it became healing. Even rheumatoid arthritis, which has affected his hand mobility for years, couldn’t keep him from finishing the manuscript. albertaseniorliving.ca

On The Cover Writing a 300-page book as a self-described “twofinger typist” demanded extraordinary patience, but giving up was never an option. LEAVING MORE THAN MEMORIES

Ask Lane what accomplishment makes him proudest, and he Retirement doesn’t mentions restoring have to be about Shiloh Baptist slowing down. Church, helping Sometimes it gives secure its heritage us the time to become designation and seeing exactly who we were descendants reconnect always meant to be. with their family histories. Yet writing The Road to Shiloh remains the achievement that surprises him most. “Not everyone gets the opportunity to preserve an important piece of Canadian history,” he reflects. That opportunity has also shaped the advice he offers others. He encourages seniors to embrace retirement rather than fear it, to volunteer, to stay active, to keep learning and to remain curious about the rapidly changing world around them. He still enjoys travelling with his wife, attending concerts, dancing whenever he has the chance and spending time with his growing family. Most of all, he encourages people to preserve their own stories before they’re lost. Old photographs deserve names. Family recipes deserve context. Conversations with parents and grandparents deserve to be recorded. The stories tucked away in journals, filing cabinets or dusty boxes in the basement may one day become priceless family treasures. “What seems insignificant today,” he says, “might become the beginning of a book 20 years from now.” It is advice he has lived himself. What began with an old photograph and a few census records grew into a decades-long mission to preserve a remarkable chapter of Canadian history. Along the way, Lane discovered that the most meaningful work of his life wasn’t completed during his career—it began after it. Perhaps that’s the greatest lesson his story offers: Retirement doesn’t have to be about slowing down. Sometimes it gives us the time to become exactly who we were always meant to be. And sometimes, in preserving the stories of those who came before us, we leave the most enduring story of all: our own. albertaseniorliving.ca

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Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 15

Health & Wellness

The Sandwich Years

When People in Their 50s & 60s Are Caring for Parents in Their 80s & 90s By Tammy Lautner

obody tells you how lonely this is. Most days I am the only one standing between my parents’ needs and whatever is supposed to happen next. It is not just tiring. It is frightening in a way people do not talk about: the fear of getting something wrong for the people who trust you most. It is frustrating too, carrying the quiet assumption that you have all the answers, that you are the one who solves the problem, and that your time somehow matters less than everyone else’s. This loneliness is real, and it does not go away just because other people are technically involved. This is what people mean when they say “sandwich generation,” though the phrase has always felt too tidy for what it actually is. It usually describes people in their 50s and 60s caring for parents in their 80s and 90s, often while still working, sometimes still supporting their own adult children or grandchildren. The math is not complicated. People are living longer. Families are smaller. The generation in the middle is stretched further than the ones before it, with fewer siblings to share the load and less time carved out for any one relationship.

One misconception worth naming: this role doesn’t always land on the oldest child, or the one who lives closest, or the one with the least going on in their own life. I am the youngest of four, and in my experience, and in most families I work with, the person who ends up carrying this load is the one with the temperament for it, not the birth order or the geography. If that person is you, it likely has more to do with who you are than what number child you were. THE EMOTIONAL STRAIN IS NOT WHAT PEOPLE EXPECT

Most people brace for exhaustion; what catches families off guard is the rest of it. Resentment that flickers in when a plan gets cancelled for the third time that month, followed immediately by shame for feeling it at all. Grief for a relationship that is changing shape while the person is still very much alive. It is possible to love someone fully and still want your own life back for an afternoon. Both are true at once, and few people give themselves permission to admit it. If you recognize this in yourself, know that it is a normal response to an abnormal amount of responsibility, not

16 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

a character flaw. Naming it out loud, to a friend, a therapist, or a support group, tends to loosen its grip. Silence is what makes it feel shameful. There is also a strain particular to the parent’s side of this that families often miss. A parent can choose to move into supportive living and still feel rushed by how quickly it happens. Letting go of decades of belongings in a matter of weeks rarely feels like a choice, even when the destination was theirs to pick. Giving a parent more time with the sorting process, where possible, and acknowledging the loss out loud rather than rushing past it, makes a measurable difference in how they land in a new home. It is also worth saying plainly that not every caregiving relationship is rooted in warmth. Some adult children are managing this stage alongside old wounds, strained history, or a parent who was never easy to love. The obligation to help does not disappear because the relationship is complicated, but pretending the relationship is simpler than it is only adds weight to an already heavy load. Being honest about the complexity, even privately, tends to ease the guilt that comes with resentment. albertaseniorliving.ca

Health & Wellness ROLE REVERSAL CHANGES WHO YOU ARE, NOT JUST WHAT YOU DO

At some point, adult children stop being only a son or daughter and become the person who reads medication labels, manages a home care schedule, and makes calls their parent used to make without a second thought. The tasks themselves are usually manageable. What is harder is the identity underneath them, holding both the child role and the manager role at once, without losing the first one entirely. This shift is often hardest in the first months after a major transition, like a hospital discharge or a move into a care setting, when a parent is also learning to navigate new routines, staff, and rules. It helps to separate the two roles deliberately. Set aside time that is just visiting, not managing, even briefly. It preserves the relationship underneath the logistics. Parents feel this shift too, even when they do not say so directly. Being managed by your own child, however necessary, can feel like a loss of independence layered on top of everything else already being lost. Involving a parent in decisions wherever possible, even small ones, helps soften that loss without slowing down the practical work that still needs to happen. DECISION FATIGUE IS THE PART NO ONE NAMES

Few people in this stage face one enormous decision. Instead, they face hundreds of small ones, made alone, with no clear right answer and no one to hand them to. What to keep, sell, or give away before a move. Whether a few hours of home care a week is enough or a sign more is needed. Whether to raise the next level of care now, or wait. The fatigue is real, and it compounds. A few things help. Build a short list of trusted people: a family doctor, a case manager, a care navigator- who you can bring decisions to rather than carrying them solo. Write decisions down as they are made, so you are not starting from scratch every time a new symptom or setback appears. And give yourself albertaseniorliving.ca

explicit permission to make a good enough decision rather than a perfect one. Waiting for certainty in this stage of life usually just means waiting longer to feel relief. Timing adds another layer to the fatigue that is rarely discussed. Health systems move on their own schedule, not yours, and a decision that felt premature in January can suddenly feel overdue by March. Building in regular check-ins, even informal ones, with whoever is involved in a parent’s care helps catch that shift before it becomes a crisis, rather than after. WHAT I WOULD TELL SOMEONE STARTING THIS NOW

It does not get easier, exactly. It gets more familiar. You learn who to call, what questions to ask, and how to sit with resentment without letting it convince you that you are failing someone. You are not. This is genuinely difficult work, often without a map, and often without anyone else acknowledging that it is difficult at all. If you are in it now, the most useful thing you can do is stop trying to carry it perfectly and start building support around yourself, whether that is other family members, a professional advocate, or simply people who understand what this stage actually costs. You do not have to hold all of it alone, even when it feels like you are expected to. TAMMY LAUTNER Tammy Lautner, RSW, is the Founder and CEO of Peace of Mind Consulting in Edmonton, Alberta, where she helps adult children navigate caring for an aging parent. With 25 years of social work experience, she provides advocacy and guidance to families facing the many decisions that come with supporting an older adult. Tammy is also currently living this stage of life, supporting her own parents through a significant transition. This experience shapes both her professional work and her personal understanding of what families go through. To learn more, visit www. peaceofmindalberta.com or email hello@ peaceofmindalberta.com.

The fatigue is real, and it compounds. TWO CONVERSATIONS NOBODY WANTS TO START Most families wait for a crisis to force these conversations. By then, everyone is exhausted and deciding under pressure instead of with any real clarity. Starting earlier changes what is possible. The supported living conversation carries a different kind of weight, because it can feel like an ending rather than a beginning. What helps is naming the trade honestly instead of dancing around it: less isolation and less cooking, in exchange for a smaller space and a harder goodbye to the family home. Parents who help choose that trade, even in small ways like touring a place before it becomes urgent, tend to land better in it than the ones who feel it happen to them. The end-of-life conversation does not need a script, but it does need three specific answers: • What matters more to your parent: comfort or more time? • Where they want to be if they are dying. • Who they trust to decide if they cannot speak for themselves. Write the answers down and put them somewhere your family can actually find them. A conversation without a record disappears the moment you need it most. Neither conversation gets easier by waiting. It just gets later.

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 17

ENTER TO Win! with Alberta Senior living

Alberta Senior Living and Jubilations Dinner Theatre are offering you the chance to win tickets to one of these incredible shows… CALGARY’S JUBILATIONS DINNER THEATRE PRESENTS:

Rock Around the Clock

“One, Two, Three O’clock, Four O’clock Rock!” In 1950’s anytime was a good time for the kids to rock. It is hard now to imagine a time when rock and roll was brand new. When a teenager had a friend who first said, “Hey, listen to this!”. Rock and roll was the most exciting sound that young people had ever heard. It was rowdy, fresh and even a little bit dangerous, according to your parents. Let us take you back there one more time. To the time of Elvis and Buddy Holly… to the sound of “La Bamba” and “Wake Up Little Suzie”. Pull on those bobby socks and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”.

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CONTEST CLOSES SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 EDMONTON’S JUBILATIONS DINNER THEATRE PRESENTS:

Back to the ‘80s: The Magic Mix Tape

“Ooooh, I love that song. You know the one… with the dun-de duh, and bee-dee-bop.” We’ve all had this conversation, and it seems that many, many times it’s followed with… “Its from the 80’s!” What if there was a way to get back there? Not just anywhere in the 1980’s but, to the precise moment in time when you first heard that song. What if you go back and experience that moment again as if it were the first time? Let us try and take you there.

Enter for your chance to win two tickets to Back to the ‘80s: The Magic Mix Tape in Edmonton at: albertaseniorliving.ca/enter-to-win

CONTEST CLOSES OCTOBER 1, 2026

Big stories. Bold cinema. Unforgettable moments. The Calgary International Film Festival presented by Servus Credit Union is back!

Experience world-class films on the big screen with all your friends. 200 movies. 11 days. Running from September 24 to October 4, 2026. Enter to win two tickets by visiting albertaseniorliving.ca/enter-to-win CONTEST CLOSES SEPTEMBER 21, 2026

Come cheer on the Green and Gold! We’re giving away two P5 tickets to an Edmonton Elks 2026 home game of your choice! To enter, visit:

albertaseniorliving.ca/ enter-to-win CONTEST CLOSES SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 For more information on the Edmonton Elks’ 2026 season, visit goelks.com or scan the QR code to join EE Insider and stay in the know on all things Elks, including contests, promotions, and upcoming game-day action!

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Give Hope For Future Generations Facing Cancer One day, your legacy could change everything for those who hear ‘You have cancer’. By Alberta Cancer Foundation

ne in two Albertans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and sadly only one in five will survive. Thousands of Albertans are committed to changing these outcomes today, and a special group are creating a more hopeful future through Legacy Giving. We spoke with our expert at the Foundation, Christy Soholt, Director, Legacy and Strategic Philanthropy, to answer some common questions and learn how these gifts help to create more hope and more time together for those facing cancer. Q: What is Legacy Giving at the Alberta Cancer Foundation?

Christy: At its heart, Legacy Giving is about creating an impact for those facing cancer that lasts beyond your lifetime. For many, including a gift to the Alberta Cancer Foundation in their will is the most straightforward way to commit to a better future for the next generation. Other plans, such as naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of an RRSP/RRIF, life insurance policy or donor-advised fund, also become a powerful and advantageous way to make a legacy gift. Legacy Giving is one of the most powerful and meaningful ways a donor can support the Foundation Q: Why is Legacy Giving so important for better outcomes for Albertans facing cancer? Christy: Every generation of those who have faced cancer have benefited from the generosity of people who believed in better options, better care and better outcomes before them. Alberta now has the secondbest cancer outcomes in the country thanks largely to the community investment of past donors. Legacy Giving is critical to help build on this progress of accelerating advancements and bringing us closer to what matters most – keeping families together longer.

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Q: Is Legacy Giving about choosing between supporting your family and supporting the causes you care about? Christy: Many of our legacy donors have made a financial commitment in memory of loved ones or in honour of those who have faced cancer. Their legacy gift is a commitment to turning today’s hope into tomorrow’s treatments for the next generation of their family, all their loved ones and across Alberta. With thoughtful estate planning, charitable giving may reduce taxes owing, allowing you to support both your loved ones and the causes that matter most. Q: Is Legacy Giving only for wealthy individuals?

DID YOU KNOW

One in two Albertans will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Gifts to the Alberta Cancer Foundation stay in Alberta, supporting all cancer centres across the province.

Christy: This is probably the biggest misconception we hear. A legacy gift doesn’t have to be large to make a meaningful difference for those facing cancer. It’s about the impact you choose to make with what you have. We know many Albertans have spent a lifetime building assets through their home, retirement savings or investments, and l see the benefits estate planning can have in creating tax benefits for your estate today and beyond.

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Christy: Start by considering what matters to you, how you want to be remembered, and the legacy you want to leave for the next generation. We’ve created a free Will Toolkit that can help guide you through some legacy and planning questions, while thinking of what matters most in your estate plan. We then encourage you to discuss your wishes with your family, financial advisor, lawyer, and our team at the Foundation. Many donors tell us that creating a legacy plan brings peace of mind, knowing they’ve taken care of both their family and the causes

Your legacy has the power to bring hope to future Albertans facing cancer Legacy Giving truly is a gift to the future.

they care about. Our Legacy team is here to provide guidance, information and resources to help you make a decision that feels right for you and your family during any and every step of your planning journey. To learn more about the Alberta Cancer Foundation, request a complimentary Will Planning Toolkit, or to learn more about legacy giving, visit albertacancer.ca/ legacy or connect with our Legacy Giving team at legacygiving@albertacancer.ca

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 21

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Health & Wellness

The Plan Caregivers Actually Need (It’s Not “Take a Break”) By Melanie Hval, MN, RN

f you’re caring for a parent or spouse at home right now, someone probably told you this week to take time for yourself. A walk, a bath, a coffee alone. It’s well-meant. It’s also not much help when the medication schedule is easy enough to hand off, but you’re still the only one with the patience to get them out of bed without wrecking both your days. Right now, in Alberta, roughly 1 million people are doing exactly what this article is about: providing unpaid care to a family member or friend, without a salary. Between them, they put in about 647 million hours a year, worth an estimated $12-billion to a system that would otherwise have to pay for it. Family caregivers deliver up to 90% of the care that keeps people out of hospital and long-term care. Nationally, a 2026 survey from the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence valued unpaid care at $97-billion per year, with half of caregivers reporting financial strain and 1 in 5 spending over $12,000 per year out of pocket. Here’s why this keeps growing. Alberta had approximately 490,000 seniors in 2013. By 2023, that number had climbed past 750,000, roughly 260,000 more people in a decade. Within two decades, 1 in 5 Albertans will be 65

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years of age or older. The baby boomer generation is now moving through the years when health needs climb fastest. Most have also stated clearly that they would rather stay in their own homes than move into care. That’s a reasonable wish. It means more families doing this work, for a longer period of time, with less warning than they would like. So, let’s skip the bubble bath advice and talk about what actually helps. Start with a plan, not a crisis. Families write wills for money and property. Very few sit down and write a plan for care: who does what, what happens if the primary caregiver gets sick, what the budget looks like, and what the person receiving care wants. Having that conversation early, while everyone can still think clearly, saves a lot of guesswork and guilt later. Find out what’s actually available before assuming there’s nothing. Alberta Health Services offers respite through Continuing Care, in-home or overnight in a care facility, arranged through a home care case manager. Many regions also run adult day programs and family caregiver wellness workshops. In smaller towns, community associations often fill gaps the health system doesn’t reach. None of it is obvious from the outside. Usually, one phone call tells you what’s there.

Get honest about money early. We hear “we can’t afford help” often, from people sitting in a paid-off house. That may be true, or it may not be. It’s worth finding out rather than assuming. A conversation with a financial advisor, or a mortgage specialist about what your home equity can support often changes the picture. Divide the load on purpose. Caregiving research keeps landing on the same point: burnout isn’t solved by rest; it’s reduced by sharing the mental load. That means naming specific tasks and handing them to specific people - a sibling, a neighbour, a paid providerrather than assuming it’s all yours to carry. It also means protecting your own health on purpose: eating properly, moving, staying socially connected, not as an indulgence, but as basic maintenance for the person keeping the whole system running. None of this makes caregiving easy. But it makes it sustainable, and sustainable is the actual goal, for you and for the person you’re caring for. Before any of that, talk to your family. Ask the person you’re caring for what they want, and ask the people around you what they can take on. If you’re early in this, start that conversation now, before a crisis forces it. A FEW CALLS WORTH MAKING:

• 211, for what’s available in your community • The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and NWT, if dementia is involved • A local home care provider, for an in-home assessment or advice • A financial advisor who specializes in care planning, often available by phone MELANIE HVAL Melanie Hval is a Master’sprepared Registered Nurse and Founder of Compass Rose Care, a nurse-led private home care company based in Calgary. For more information, visit compassrosecare.com.

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 23

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Lifestyle & Inspiration

The Physical, Mental, Social & Cultural Benefits of Dancing By Susanne Greenhowe-Weis

magine: you’ve recently renewed your gym membership, taking advantage of the senior rates, and you’re working out your routine. You know you’re maintaining a level of fitness that suits you because it feels good, and every so often you increase the weights and extend your running on the machines. You notice that everyone else is minding their own business, most of them plugged into their ear pods and music, but just doing their stuff. Suddenly, you feel that you’re missing something, but you don’t exactly know what it is. There’s no social portion of your workout routine; you don’t even have to remember what comes next because it’s so routine and everything is just feeling so mundane. What would you say if I suggested that what you’re missing are some of the most important parts of your exercise routine? Would you be interested enough to ask me questions? I hope so because what I would suggest is that you could add tried and tested improvements to your health maintenance by dancing. Dancing? I hear you ask loudly? Yes, particularly Scottish Country Dancing. I can see you laughing and hear your questions – but questions mean that you might be interested in hearing the answers. Scientific studies have shown that certain forms of exercise activity produce greater positive results than others, and scientists think that dance is especially powerful because it combines several brain-stimulating activities simultaneously: • aerobic exercise • learning patterns • remembering sequences • coordinating movement • listening to music • interacting socially

Very few activities combine all three. So, what is particularly unique about Scottish Country Dancing? Compared with many other activities, SCD combines: albertaseniorliving.ca

• Physical activity • Continuous problem solving (Where do I go next?) • Music • Teamwork • Social Interaction • Memory training • Rhythm • Laughter

Many neurologists now believe that combining physical activity with cognitive challenge and social engagement is especially beneficial for healthy brain ageing. Scottish Country Dancing naturally incorporates all three. Researchers found that older Scottish Country Dancers maintained: • Faster walking speed • Greater mobility • Better lower-body function • Higher functional fitness than similarly active women who participated in other forms of exercise.

Remarkably, the older dancers performed almost as well as women 10 years younger, suggesting that SCD may slow the age-related decline in locomotion. WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

Walking speed and mobility are recognized by geriatric specialists as strong indicators of healthy ageing and future independence. SCD also provides moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise through continuous movement interval bursts of activity repeated changes in direction wholebody movement. The physical demands closely match recommendations from the World Health Organization for weekly physical activity. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society also highlights improvements in cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, flexibility and endurance among regular participants. If your strongest reaction to this information is “Prove it!”, we would be absolutely delighted to have you come

to one of our classes closest to your home and join one of our dance groups to see what your reaction is afterwards. Please give us the opportunity to show you how welcome you would be and how much you would enjoy the social aspects of beneficial exercise. SUSANNE GREENHOWE-WEIS Dance has been part of Susanne Greenhowe-Weis’s life since she first joined a Scottish Country Dance class at the age of seven. Although ballet became her first love for the next 18 years, she has since enjoyed many dance styles and has danced in England, Mexico and with Chinese dance groups. Having lived in six countries, she has seen how dance transcends language and culture, creating friendships wherever people meet. Now Vice President of the Edmonton Caledonian Country Dance Society, she believes it’s never too late to discover the joy, friendship and lifelong learning that Scottish Country Dancing offers, and warmly welcomes newcomers of all ages and abilities.

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 25

Lifestyle & Inspiration

Planning Ahead: Smart Conversations That Make Future Living Decisions Easier By Ginger Bitzer

y passion for helping older adults and care partners navigate transitions began long before I started Nana’s Navigator. Growing up in rural Alberta, I had the privilege of walking alongside both of my grandmothers as their needs changed over time. One of the greatest gifts they gave our family was their willingness to have honest conversations about the future and to recognize when the time was right to make changes to their living arrangements. Their journeys taught me that planning ahead is not about giving something up; it is about preserving choice, dignity, and quality of life. Today, through my work with seniors and their families across Alberta, I see many people postpone conversations about their living arrangements until something unexpected happens: a hospitalization, a fall, or concerns about memory. Suddenly, decisions about housing, home care, finances, and support become urgent, leaving everyone feeling overwhelmed. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Planning ahead is not about expecting the worst. It is about protecting independence, preserving choices, and giving everyone the time and space to make thoughtful decisions before they become stressful ones. Whether you are planning for your own future or supporting someone you care for, having a few important conversations now can make all the difference later. For some people, those conversations happen with family

members. For others, they may involve trusted friends, neighbours, or professionals who can help ensure their wishes are understood and respected. START WITH THE CONVERSATION ABOUT HOME

One of the most important questions to ask is, “Where do I want to live if my needs change?” For many people, remaining at home for as long as possible is the goal. Aging in place can be a wonderful option with the right support, such as home modifications, housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, and/or home & community services. It is also worth learning about independent living, supportive living, and long-term care before you need them. Touring communities or gathering information now does not mean you are ready to move—it simply means you are making informed decisions while you still have options. TALK ABOUT SUPPORT THAT WOULD HELP YOU THRIVE

Many older adults value their independence and may hesitate to accept help. Accepting support early can often help people remain independent longer and continue doing the things that matter most to them. Consider discussing questions such as: • What tasks are becoming more difficult? • What type of help would make life easier? • Who would you feel comfortable receiving support from?

26 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

“Planning ahead is not about expecting the worst. It is about protecting independence, preserving choices, and giving everyone the time and space to make thoughtful decisions before they become stressful ones.” Having these conversations early allows support to be introduced gradually, rather than waiting until a crisis makes significant changes necessary. TALK ABOUT FINANCES BEFORE DECISIONS BECOME URGENT

Money conversations can feel uncomfortable, but they are often key to preserving choice and reducing stress for everyone involved. Take time to understand which services are publicly funded and which may require private payment. Review your budget, explore available resources, and consider how future housing or care needs could affect your financial plans. SHARE WHAT MATTERS MOST

Some of the most important conversations happen around a kitchen table or over coffee. Talking openly about what matters to you now can spare those who care for you from having to guess later. albertaseniorliving.ca

Lifestyle & Inspiration Discuss your preferences for future living arrangements, healthcare decisions, and who you would like involved if you need support making decisions one day. These conversations are not always easy, but they often reduce stress, prevent misunderstandings, and help people make decisions with confidence when the time comes. REMEMBER, YOU DON’T HAVE TO NAVIGATE IT ALONE

One of the things I hear most often from those I serve is, “We wish we had started these conversations sooner.” The good news is that it is never too early—and rarely too late—to begin planning for what comes next. Many people are surprised to learn how many programs, services, and professionals are available to help. Whether you are exploring housing options, learning about home care, understanding community resources, or simply trying to determine the next best step, reaching out for guidance can make the process feel much less overwhelming. Not everyone has family close by, and many older adults are navigating these decisions on their own. Support can come from many places, including community organizations, healthcare teams, neighbours, navigators, and other trusted professionals. SMALL STEPS TODAY CREATE GREATER PEACE OF MIND TOMORROW

Planning ahead does not require making every decision at once.It can be as simple as starting a conversation over coffee, visiting a continuing care community, reviewing your finances, or learning more about the services available in your area. Every small step helps you stay informed and prepared. You do not need to have all the answers today, and you do not have to navigate the journey alone. Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation to begin moving forward with greater confidence and peace of mind. GINGER BITZER Ginger Bitzer, BAHSA, CPHR, CTMP, is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Nana’s Navigator, where she supports older adults and care partners as they navigate aging, transitions, and future planning. With more than 25 years of experience in seniors’ housing, healthcare, human resources, and community services, Ginger is passionate about helping families make informed decisions before they become urgent. Raised in rural Alberta and inspired by her own journey supporting her grandmothers, she brings a compassionate, practical approach to empowering older adults to preserve choice, dignity, and quality of life.

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Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 27

Travel & Leisure FOUR PRACTICAL WAYS TO MAKE THE TRIP HAPPEN Dreaming is wonderful. Booking is better. Here’s how to move from someday to let’s do this:

Bucket List Travel Shouldn’t Be a Guilt Trip By Alison Phillips

fter decades of showing up for everyone else, your dream trip isn’t selfish—it’s earned. If you’re living in Alberta and daydreaming about the Northern Lights in Iceland, a safari in East Africa, or a river cruise through Europe, let’s get one thing straight: your bucket list is not indulgent. It’s earned. After decades of raising children, supporting partners, caring for aging parents, building careers, volunteering, and being the reliable one, wanting a big, beautiful trip is not selfish; it’s a reward for a lifetime of showing up. I’ve been a travel consultant for more than 40 years. I’m over 60, still full of energy, and I’ve checked off more than a few bucket-list destinations myself. This isn’t just professional advice; it’s lived experience. WHY BUCKET LIST TRAVEL MATTERS MORE NOW As we get older, our relationship with time changes. We become more selective about how we spend our energy and attention. We want experiences that feel meaningful, not just busy. That’s why so many adults over 50 are prioritizing travel in a different way than they did in their 30s or 40s. The goal is no longer to squeeze in the most destinations; it’s to create memories that feel extraordinary. And you’re not alone in wanting that “one big trip.” For many Albertans, experiences such as safaris, Northern Lights journeys,

European river cruises, and iconic rail adventures have become the trips they’re finally ready to take. THE GUILT TRAP THAT KEEPS PEOPLE HOME Here’s what I hear from people all the time: • “I’ll go when the kids are more settled.” • “Maybe after we’re done helping with the grandkids.” • “What if my parents need me while I’m away?” • “It feels selfish to spend that much on myself.” The problem is that later has a way of becoming never. Years pass. Health changes. Mobility shifts. And the window for certain adventures, whether that’s exploring the African bush, visiting Machu Picchu, or enjoying a more active itinerary, can quietly narrow. What people regret most is rarely the money they spent. It’s the trip they kept postponing. TRAVEL IS PART OF WELL-BEING We often think of travel as a luxury, but for many older adults it’s also a source of vitality. Travel stimulates curiosity, encourages movement, creates social connection, and gives us something exciting to anticipate. It reminds us that life can still surprise us. I’ve watched clients return from trips with renewed energy, new friendships, and stories they can’t wait to share. The benefits last far longer than the vacation itself.

28 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

1. Plan 12–18 Months Ahead Big trips such as safaris, river cruises, Southeast Asia itineraries, and popular Northern Lights departures are much easier to fit around family commitments when everyone has plenty of notice. Plus...early planning also means better availability, more flight options, and often better pricing and choices. 2. Match the Trip to Your Energy Level Today You do not have to prove anything. Adventure doesn’t require sleeping in a tent or hiking for six hours a day. Some of the most rewarding bucket-list experiences are surprisingly comfortable: • Northern Lights with cozy lodge accommodations • Machu Picchu by train instead of a multi-day trek • A European river cruise with gentle walking excursions • A luxury safari with game drives and excellent lodging The goal is joy, not exhaustion. 3. Start with a “Test” Bucket-List Trip If being away for several weeks feels intimidating, begin with something epic but manageable. Great first-time bucketlist options include: • An 8-day European river cruise • A 7–9 day Alaska Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver • A 12-day highlights tour of Ireland • A small-group Italy itinerary focused on food, wine, and culture These trips deliver a strong sense of adventure without requiring months away from home. 4. Create a Simple Contingency Plan One of the biggest sources of anxiety is worrying about what happens while you’re gone. Before you leave, organize: • Emergency contacts • Medical information and travel insurance details • Who will check on parents, pets, or property • How and when you’ll be reachable albertaseniorliving.ca

Travel & Leisure HOW TO TALK TO FAMILY WITHOUT APOLOGIZING This is the part many people struggle with most. You do not need to apologize for wanting to live fully. But communicating your plans with confidence can make a huge difference. Try saying:

Travel stimulates curiosity, encourages movement, creates social connection, and gives us something exciting to anticipate. It reminds us that life can still surprise us. When everyone knows the plan, you can truly relax, and your family can too. THE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE Albertans are actually in a great position for international travel. From Calgary and Edmonton, you have excellent access to Europe, sun destinations, and connections through Vancouver to Alaska, Asia and the South Pacific. And let’s not forget our own incredible backyard! Banff, Jasper, Elk Island, and the Rockies are world-class destinations in their own right. They’re perfect “warm-up adventures” that build confidence for bigger journeys farther afield.

• “I’ve spent decades taking care of others. This trip is something I’m doing to celebrate that.” • “Travel keeps me energized and happy. You get a better version of me when I come back.” • “I’m planning this responsibly, and here’s how everything will be covered while I’m away.” Notice the difference: these statements are not defensive. They are clear, calm, and grounded. You are not abandoning your role in the family. You are expanding it by modelling what an engaged, adventurous life can look like at every age. MY PROMISE AS YOUR BUCKET-LIST TRAVEL PARTNER After more than 40 years in the travel industry and a passport full of “big trip” stamps, I know that successful travel at 50+ is about much more than booking flights. My job is to: • Help you choose the right experience for your health, energy, and budget • Build itineraries that feel exciting rather than overwhelming • Anticipate the details that make or break a trip: connections, insurance, pacing, accessibility, and downtime • Create opportunities to travel with likeminded people through small-group experiences

If that question makes your heart beat a little faster, that may be your sign. It’s time to stop saying “someday” and start making a plan. Let’s turn that bucket-list dream into a booked itinerary—and give your future self something unforgettable to look forward to. ALISON PHILLIPS After more than 25 years in the travel industry, Alison brings a wealth of experience as a traveller, tour escort, and lifelong explorer. Her journeys have taken her across Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, North America, and Europe, where she has embraced everything from grassroots cultural experiences to exceptional accommodations, dining, and wine tourism. A passionate storyteller and educator, Alison combines her love of travel, writing, and wine to create memorable experiences for others. She has led international wine tours to destinations including Bordeaux, the Loire Valley, South Africa, Portugal, Hungary, and the Okanagan, and continues to share her passion for discovery through her travel adventures. When she’s not exploring the world, Alison is the co-owner of Aligra Wine & Spirits in Edmonton, where she shares her knowledge through tastings, events, and educational experiences. Her next adventure, Winos & Rhinos II to South Africa, is planned for September 2026. For more information on upcoming tours with Alison, visit travelswithalison.com.

THE REAL QUESTION Bucket-list travel is not a guilt trip. It is a way of honouring the life you have already lived while creating stories that will outlast any souvenir. So let me ask you the question I ask my clients: • If your health, your family, and your finances were all reasonably in order, where would you go next?

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Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 29

Travel & Leisure

Fall Reads Worth Curling Up With By Aylisa Eldridge

know it feels like the last drop of snow just melted, but here we are, already at the end of the summer season. And sadly that means shelving all those beach reads. But before you let that thought put you into a reading slump, let me recommend 10 books that will have you warm and ready for the falling leaves. There is nothing I love more than sharing and talking about books. It is how The Chapter Cruiser came to be! Wendy and I wanted to share the stories we were reading and have a chance to discuss them with people who enjoyed them as much as we did. I hope your next 5-star read is on this list! AYLISA ELDRIDGE Aylisa Eldridge is the co-owner of The Chapter Cruiser, a mobile used book boutique she operates with her best friend. What began with a 14-foot utility trailer has been transformed into a charming, booklover’s dream, filled with pre-loved books in like-new condition. Taking the joy of browsing a bookstore on the road, Aylisa and her best friend/ business partner pop up at markets and events, bringing their carefully curated selection of books to readers wherever they go. For Aylisa, The Chapter Cruiser is about more than books—it’s about creating a fun, welcoming experience and helping great stories find new homes.

FEEL GOOD FOR FALL… THE FIVE STAR WEEKEND By Elin Hilderbrand Hollis has experienced an unimaginable loss, and as she tries to navigate her grief, she decides to host a girls’ weekend at her Nantucket home. She invites the “5 stars” from her life, a dear friend from each era. As much as the setting of Nantucket is a sub-character throughout this book, the real story is the women, their journeys, their experiences, and their relationships with each other as well as their families. Old flames resurface, secrets are kept and revealed, and true friendship is made center stage. A 5-star read for me! I have actually read it twice! THE CALAMITY CLUB By Kathryn Stockett You will never read another story about a group of women like this group of women. The story is told from two points of view: Meg, an 11-year-old orphan, and Birdie, an unmarried woman back in a time when a girl’s only goal is to become a married woman. Set in the South in the 1930s, this club comes together out of need and necessity and throughout the journey they find love and strength and family. 5/5 for me, and I truly did not want this book to end. It is in the top position for my favourite book of 2026.

THE WOMEN By Kristin Hannah I know, we have all read a TON of historical fiction, but how about a book about the Vietnam War told from the perspective of the female nurses? The story follows Frankie as she follows her brother into a military lifestyle by joining the Army Nurse Corps. We join Frankie and the other nurses through the battle, only to realize the true battle is coming home to a changed America, and finding how she fits into this new place. Kristin Hannah is an auto-buy author for me, and I am always prepared to have my heart ripped out. This book did not disappoint. 5/5!

30 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

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Travel & Leisure REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES By Shelby Van Pelt If I told you this book’s main character was an octopus, you would call me crazy, right? But trust me, it works!! To cope with her husband’s death and the mysterious disappearance of her son, Tova begins working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Here she meets Marcellus, a grumpy giant Pacific octopus. Marcellus knows more than anyone can guess, and it is truly endearing to watch the relationship between him and Tova grow to be exactly what they both needed. Marcellus will live in my heart forever. 5/5! ANXIOUS PEOPLE By Fredrik Backman You know that quote about everyone fighting their own battle? This is the book to prove that quote is 100% correct. It starts off simply enough at an open house for an apartment for sale, and soon becomes a story about human compassion and kindness, making you want to ask complete strangers to share their stories with you. Again…5/5! CERTIFIED BEAUTIES By James Duthie James Duthie is a sports broadcaster for TSN and enlightens us all with more hockey tales after his bestselling book Beauties. If you love hockey, you will love this book. It’s a collection of stories from all the greats who have played Canada’s favourite sport. How did an NBA star help Celebrini become an NHL star? What happened when Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl showed up to play with a bunch of beer league guys? This book had me laughing out loud more than once, and I tell all my hockey-loving fans to read it. 5/5! albertaseniorliving.ca

PROJECT HAIL MARY By Andy Weir Have we all fallen in love with space after watching the latest Artemis 2 journey, right? Ryland Grace finds himself in space, with dead crewmates and a very fuzzy memory. He comes to realize that it has become his responsibility to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery and conquer a threat to our species. This is the only book on this list I haven’t read yet, but it is on my TBR, and I added it to my husband’s list too!

GET YOUR THRILL ON… ROCK PAPER SCISSORS By Alice Feeney How well do you know the person you married? Or how well do you THINK you know them! When Adam and Amelia win a romantic weekend getaway in Scotland, it is exactly what their failing marriage needs. But the accommodations are less than ideal, and they’re both wondering if this was truly a prize to be won. The story is told in the present day as well as through old letters a wife writes to her husband on each of their anniversaries that she has never let him read, until now. I can honestly say I did NOT see this twist coming! I love a good mystery, so 5/5! IT’S NOT HER By Mary Kubica A shattering scream, and life as Courtney knows it has changed forever. Her brother and sister-in-law have been murdered, and her niece is missing. As an investigation takes place, truths are uncovered, and suddenly everyone has a secret to hide. This book had me feeling creeped out and scared right from the start. It was like a creepy horror movie! The feeling stayed with me right till the end! 4/5 THE ONLY ONE LEFT By Riley Sager The Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. With 17-year-old Lenora being the only survivor, everyone assumed she was guilty, but the police are unable to prove it. Years later, when Kit McDeere arrives as a home health care aid for the aging Lenora, she begins to understand that the elderly lady has her own story to tell. I thought I had this book figured out from page 1, and yet the twists kept coming till the very end! I recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a very scary mystery! 5/5!

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 31

Food & Home

A Taste of

Fall

Five Dietitian-Approved Recipes for Healthy Aging

By Maria Kupreeva, MSc RD

all in Alberta brings an abundance of apples, beets, carrots, parsnips and squash. Seasonal produce is often at its best for flavour and may also be easier on the grocery budget. It is a welcome invitation to warm the kitchen, cook a little extra and share a meal with family, friends or neighbours. As we age, energy needs and appetite may decrease, yet the body still needs enough nourishment to maintain strength, recover from illness and support everyday activities. This makes protein especially valuable. Protein helps preserve muscle, supports immune function and contributes to wound healing. Including a protein food at each meal and snack is often easier than trying to catch up at the end of the day. In these recipes, Greek yogurt and milk are used to add protein; silken tofu enriches the carrot-parsnip soup; chickpeas and tahini added to the beet hummus; and salmon serves as a healthy protein choice at dinner. Fluids and fibre deserve equal attention. The sensation of thirst may become less noticeable with age, and illness, medications or mobility challenges can make it harder to drink regularly. Water is an excellent first choice, but soup, milk, tea, and other beverages also contribute. The smooth root-vegetable soup and

sparkling apple-pomegranate cider offer two seasonal ways to add fluid. Fibre supports regular bowel function and digestive health, but it works best when fluid intake is adequate. Oats and apple in the breakfast recipe, chickpeas in the hummus, and squash, carrots and mushrooms in the salmon bowl all add fibre throughout the day. Although energy needs often decline with age, vitamin and mineral needs generally remain the same, and for some nutrients increase. However, smaller appetites and age-related changes in digestion and absorption can make these needs more difficult to meet. Vitamin A supports normal vision and immune function; carrots and spaghetti squash provide colourful carotenoids that the body can convert to vitamin A. Vitamin B12 contributes to healthy red blood cells and normal nerve function, with salmon, yogurt and milk providing food sources. Calcium and vitamin D work together to support bones, while calcium also helps muscles function. The oatmeal supplies calcium through yogurt and milk or fortified soy beverage, calcium-set tofu contributes calcium to the soup, and salmon is one of the few foods that naturally contains vitamin D. Iron helps carry oxygen through the body, while zinc supports immune function and tissue repair. These nutrients are found in both animal and plant foods.

32 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

Pairing plant sources of iron with vegetables or fruit that provide vitamin C can help the body absorb more of that iron. A squeeze of lemon in the hummus is therefore useful for flavour as well as nutrition. Rather than trying to track every nutrient separately, look for variety across meals and snacks: a protein food, colourful vegetables or fruit, a whole grain when it fits, and something to drink. The five recipes below put that approach into practice using familiar fall ingredients. Adjust portions, seasonings and textures to your appetite and abilities, and ask a registered dietitian for individualized guidance if a health condition, reduced appetite or swallowing difficulty affects what you can eat or drink. A simple fall formula: pair colourful seasonal produce with a protein food, add a whole grain when it fits, and keep a drink within reach. SMALL STEPS, SHARED MEALS

Healthy eating does not need to be complicated or perfect in any stage of life. A pot of soup, a make-ahead breakfast or a simple salmon dinner can make nourishing choices easier. Whenever possible, make food enjoyable: use favourite seasonings, adapt textures as needed and share meals with others. Food supports health, but it also brings comfort, connection and pleasure to the season. albertaseniorliving.ca

Food & Home

Curried Carrot-Parsnip Soup with Silken Tofu PREP: 15 MINUTES • COOK: 25 MINUTES MAKES: 6 SERVINGS

A smooth, gently spiced soup makes the most of fall root vegetables while adding protein without cream.

Overnight Apple Pie Oatmeal

INGREDIENTS

PREP: 10 MINUTES, PLUS CHILLING COOK: NONE • MAKES: 2 SERVINGS

All the comfort of apple pie in a make-ahead breakfast that is soft, fragrant and easy to portion. INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup (175 mL) plain Greek yogurt • 1/2 cup (125 mL) milk or fortified soy beverage • 1 tsp (5 mL) maple syrup • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cinnamon • 1 medium apple, cored and finely diced or grated • 1/2 cup (125 mL) large-flake oats • 2 Tbsp (30 mL) finely chopped walnuts, optional

DIRECTIONS 1. Combine the broth, carrots, parsnips, onion, bay leaf, curry powder

DIRECTIONS 1. Whisk the yogurt, milk, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon

in a medium bowl.

2. Stir in the apple, oats and walnuts. Divide between two

covered containers. 3. Refrigerate overnight. Stir before serving and add a splash of milk if you prefer a thinner texture. Tip: Grating the apple creates a softer texture and spreads its flavour through every spoonful. HEALTHY-AGING HIGHLIGHT Greek yogurt and milk add protein and calcium, while oats, apple and walnuts contribute fibre. Choose a fortified soy beverage if you use a plant-based option.

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• 4 cups (1 L) no-salt-added or reduced-sodium vegetable broth • 1 lb (500 g) carrots, peeled and chopped • 1 lb (500 g) parsnips, peeled and chopped • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 bay leaf • 1 tsp (5 mL) mild curry powder • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground black pepper • 1 package (300-350 g) calcium-set soft or silken tofu, drained • 1-2 cups (250-500 mL) water, as needed • Plain yogurt and chopped parsley, optional garnish

and pepper in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are very tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. 2. Remove the bay leaf. Add the tofu and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Add water until the soup reaches your preferred consistency. 3. Return to low heat until warmed through. Ladle into bowls and garnish with yogurt or parsley, if desired.

Tip: Cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate for up to three days, or freeze in single-serving portions. HEALTHY-AGING HIGHLIGHT Carrots provide vitamin A, while tofu adds protein, iron and zinc. Calcium content varies, so check the label and choose tofu prepared with calcium when possible. Bonus! Soup also contributes to fluid intake.

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 33

Food & Home

Maple-Ginger Salmon and Spaghetti Squash Bowls PREP: 20 MINUTES COOK: 40 MINUTES MAKES: 4 SERVINGS

Roasted squash, carrots and mushrooms make a colourful base for salmon with a lightly sweet maple-ginger glaze. INGREDIENTS

Ruby Beet Hummus PREP: 15 MINUTES • COOK: NONE IF USING COOKED BEETS • MAKES: ABOUT 2 CUPS (500 ML)

This colourful dip turns earthy fall beets and pantry-friendly chickpeas into a smooth snack or sandwich spread. INGREDIENTS

• 2 medium cooked beets, peeled and chopped, or 1 can (398 mL) sliced beets, drained • 1 cup (250 mL) no-salt-added canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed • 1/4 cup (60 mL) tahini • 1/4 cup (60 mL) water, plus more as needed • 3 Tbsp (45 mL) lemon juice • 1 Tbsp (15 mL) olive oil • 1 small clove garlic, minced • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cumin • Whole-grain pita, crackers or soft-cooked vegetables, for serving DIRECTIONS 1. Place the beets, chickpeas, tahini, water, lemon juice, olive oil,

garlic and cumin in a food processor.

2. Blend until very smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides. Add

extra water, one tablespoon at a time, if needed. 3. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to three days.

Tip: Canned beets make this recipe especially quick; draining them well prevents a watery dip. HEALTHY-AGING HIGHLIGHT Chickpeas and tahini offer plant protein, fibre, iron and zinc. Pair the hummus with whole-grain pita or spread it on a sandwich to make a snack or meal more substantial.

• 1 medium spaghetti squash • 1 Tbsp (15 mL) canola oil, divided • 2 cups (500 mL) sliced mushrooms • 2 cups (500 mL) matchstick or thinly sliced carrots • 1 lb (454 g) salmon fillet, cut into 4 portions • 2 Tbsp (30 mL) reduced-sodium soy sauce • 1 Tbsp (15 mL) pure maple syrup • 1 Tbsp (15 mL) rice or apple cider vinegar • 1 Tbsp (15 mL) grated fresh ginger • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1/2 cup (125 mL) plain Greek yogurt • 1 tsp (5 mL) lime or lemon juice

DIRECTIONS 1. Heat the oven to 425 F (220 C). Cut the squash in half lengthwise

and remove the seeds. Brush the cut sides with half the oil and place cut-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast until tender, about 30 to 35 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, spread the mushrooms and carrots on a second lined baking sheet and toss with the remaining oil. Arrange the salmon beside the vegetables. 3. Mix the soy sauce, maple syrup, vinegar, ginger and garlic. Brush over the salmon. Roast the salmon and vegetables for 12 to 15 minutes, until the fish reaches 158 F (70 C) in the thickest part. 4. Stir the yogurt with the lime or lemon juice. Scrape the squash into strands and divide among four bowls. Top with salmon and vegetables, then spoon over the yogurt sauce. Tip: If cutting raw squash is difficult, microwave it whole for three to five minutes, let it cool slightly, then cut it carefully. HEALTHY-AGING HIGHLIGHT Salmon provides high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids and is one of the few natural food sources of vitamin D; it also contributes vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. Squash and carrots add fibre and vitamin A. Using Greek yogurt in sauces and dressings adds protein to your diet.

34 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

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Food & Home

Sparkling Apple-Pomegranate Cider PREP: 5 MINUTES • COOK: NONE MAKES: 4 SERVINGS

A bright, alcohol-free drink brings autumn colour to the table and offers another enjoyable way to take in fluid. INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup (250 mL) apple cider • 1/2 cup (125 mL) 100% pomegranate or cranberry juice • 1 cup (250 mL) chilled low-sodium club soda or sparkling water • Ice cubes • 4 thin apple slices or orange twists, optional garnish • Pinch of ground cinnamon, optional

DIRECTIONS 1. Pour the apple cider and pomegranate or cranberry juice into a

pitcher and stir.

2. Just before serving, add the sparkling water and ice. 3. Divide among four glasses and garnish with fruit or cinnamon, if

desired.

Tip: For anyone who needs to manage blood glucose, a smaller serving or more sparkling water may be preferred. HEALTHY-AGING HIGHLIGHT Fluids can come from water, milk, tea, soup and other drinks. This festive option is diluted with sparkling water; keep plain water within reach throughout the day as well. MARIA KUPREEVA Maria Kupreeva, MSc, RD, is a Calgary-based Registered Dietitian with experience in seniors’ health and long-term care. Her work focuses on practical, person-centred nutrition that supports strength, quality of life and enjoyment of food. She is a member of Dietitians of Canada and an active member of the Gerontology Network.

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Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 35

Food & Home

The Surprising Financial Perks of Downsizing By the Eazy Peazy Downsizing Team

our family home has served you well over the years. It was the place where holiday dinners stretched around a crowded table, where your children grew up and where many cherished memories were made, but life changes. What may not change is the fact that your house has expensive habits. It requires maintenance, repairs, property taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep of spaces that may no longer be used daily. The home that was perfect for your family 25 years ago may no longer be the best fit for the lifestyle you enjoy today. A huge and pleasantly surprising benefit to downsizing and moving to a space-appropriate home is financial. Whether the move is to a condo, senior retirement community or apartment, less square footage often means fewer expenses and less financial management. There is no longer a need to budget for lawn maintenance, landscaping, snow removal, home repairs and the replacement of costly tools and supplies. As well, insurance

The home that was perfect for your family 25 years ago may no longer be the best fit for the lifestyle you enjoy today.

costs usually drop, often four to six times lower living in a suite compared to a detached home. Over time, these savings can add up, creating greater financial flexibility for you and adding freedom of time to your lifestyle. If you choose to move to a senior retirement community, there are further benefits beyond housing costs. Dining options, fitness classes, music programs, crafting groups and social events are often offered within the community. Instead of spending money and time travelling to activities, they may be a simple stroll down your hallway. Some retirement communities also provide transportation, which can reduce the need to own and maintain a vehicle or pay for taxis. It’s also worth exploring whether you qualify for subsidized senior housing options in your area. At Eazy Peazy Downsizing, we have seen first-hand how planning can make the downsizing process easier, less costly and reduce stress. Last spring we worked with clients who had set their downsizing goals 2 years earlier. They had already worked through many of their emotional decisions before we began, which allowed the move to be completed efficiently and comfortably. In contrast, we helped another couple who had lived in their family home for 58 years move this summer after an unexpected health crisis. With

36 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

only a month to make major decisions, this short timeline brought additional pressure and emotional stress for them and their adult children. Moves that happen because of a health emergency are rarely ideal and can often lead to extra expenses, such as storage costs or rushed arrangements. Beyond the financial benefits, downsizing can also provide something you may value even more - time. With fewer household responsibilities, less home maintenance and easier access to activities and services, there is more opportunity to spend your days doing what brings you joy, whether that’s pursuing hobbies, visiting with family and friends, or simply enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle. Add up all these benefits and especially the financial perks, and you will start to think bigger by living smaller. EAZY PEAZY DOWNSIZING TEAM Eazy Peazy Downsizing is celebrating its fifth year in business. Founded by Nicole Skiba, a Professional Home Economist and Trained Professional Organizer, the company was inspired by Nicole’s experience helping her own dad through the downsizing process. Today, Nicole and her dedicated team, Nancy, Lindsey and Dee, support older adults and families with practical, respectful help during life’s transitions. Contact Nicole at 587-598-6123 or eazypeazydownsizing.ca for more information.

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Community & Connection

Around Alberta

Events Worth Getting Out For SEPTEMBER • September 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at GFLS (Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society) in Calgary: Choir Rehearsals Return. Drop-in: $2 for members/ $5 for non-members. Our choir rehearsals return this September! Whether you’re a longtime member or love to sing, we’d be happy to welcome you. • September 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at McArthur Place Tea Room: Lac La Biche County FCSS Coffee and Connections. Join us for this free drop-in program every Thursday. Coffee and Connections is open to all seniors 55+.

• September 4 at the Westend Seniors Activity Centre in Edmonton: Stony Plain & Parkland Museum Trip. Celebrate the end of summer with a bus trip to the 14-acre Stony Plain & Parkland Museum, where you can step back in time and explore Alberta’s rich history. Golf cart rides are available for those who require assistance. Cost is $50 for seniors and adults. Registration closes August 14. To register, visit the front desk, call 780-4831209, or register online. • September 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Confederation Park 55+ Activity Centre in Calgary: Estate Planning & The role of executor: $10.00 for nonmembers and free for members. Estate plans don’t execute themselves. Join us to see how ETP Canada prepares executors to navigate their role with clarity and care. Please register at yycseniors.com or call 403-289-4780.

• September 10 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at GFLS (Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society) in Calgary: Community Lunch $12 plate. Share a meal, make new friends, and enjoy a welcoming afternoon.

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• September 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at McArthur Place Tea Room: Lac La Biche County FCSS Coffee and Connections. Join us for this free drop-in program every Thursday. Coffee and Connections is open to all seniors 55+. • September 10 at 1:45 p.m. at Westend Seniors Activity Centre in Edmonton: Activating Aging Series: Genealogy & Historic Edmonton. Open to the public; no membership needed. Please re-register. $3.00; please pay at the door.

• September 15: Seniors United Now (S.U.N.) Meeting at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sherwood Park. Registration is at 1 p.m., and the meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. Please join guest speaker Anna Borynec as she speaks about Artificial Intelligence: How Generative AI Tools Function. For more information, please call Denis at 780-8932871.

• September 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 pm at GFLS (Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society) in Calgary: Coffee & Conversation! $2 Drop-in. Join us for informal chats over coffee! This week’s topic: AI: What is Real/ AI Scams - Ryan Jepson

• September 17 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Confederation Park 55+ Activity Centre in Calgary: How Hearing Affects Your Cognitive Health: $10.00 for nonmembers and free for members. Gather with us for an eye-opening presentation on the link between hearing, memory, and overall brain health. Please register at yycseniors.com or call 403-289-4780.

• September 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Confederation Park 55+ Activity Centre in Calgary: Seniors Olympics 2026: events are free to join; lunch is $15.00. Join us for the 2026 Seniors Olympics for a day full of fun and camaraderie. Please register in advance for the specific event you wish to participate in at yycseniors.com.

• September 17 at 1:45 p.m. at Westend Seniors Activity Centre in Edmonton: Active Aging Series: Cooking for One or Two People - Quick & Easy Meals. Open to the public; no membership needed. Please re-register. $3.00; please pay at the door.

• September 14 from 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at GFLS (Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society) in Calgary: Darts Is Back! Drop-in: $4 members/$5 non-members. Our popular darts group returns this September. Join us for friendly competition, fun, and great company— players of all skill levels are welcome.

• September 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at McArthur Place Tea Room: Lac La Biche County FCSS Coffee and Connections. Join us for this free drop-in program every Thursday. Coffee and Connections is open to all seniors 55+.

• September 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at GFLS (Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society) in Calgary: A New Way to Move! Six-week class: $50 members/$60 non-members. Drop-in: $10 members/$12 non-members. A brand-new instructorled movement class is coming! Improve flexibility, balance, and mobility in a relaxed, welcoming environment—perfect for staying active and feeling your best.

• September 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at BSC (Bowness Seniors’ Centre) in Calgary: Monthly BINGO; Card sales begin at 11:00 a.m. There’s always a variety of games to play, including Early Bird, Odd or Even, Regular Card games, and a Progressive Pot. Concession items are available. Come out and join us for a fun afternoon!

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 37

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Community & Connection • September 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at GFLS (Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society) in Calgary: Garage Sale. $35/ table; To rent a table call 403-272-4661; Sales cut off Sept 11. 50/50 Raffle, Special Draw for Vendors, Cafe 55 Open. Everyone is welcome to our Garage Sale! Come treasure hunting, browse a variety of great finds, and enjoy a fun day out.

• September 19 to October 11: The Citadel Theatre in Edmonton’s first show of the season, Murder on the Orient Express. Expect mystery and secrets from Agatha Christie’s iconic ‘whodunnit’ adapted by Ken Ludwig! The legendary detective, Hercule Poirot, must use his keen eye and attention for detail to gather the evidence and solve the case to catch the murderer in their midst. Tickets start at $40 and are available at citadeltheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 780425-1820.

• September 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Scenic Acres Community Association in Calgary: Repair Café. Help keep valuable items out of the landfill and support community sustainability by giving broken items a second life. Bring your “this just needs a small fix” items and work alongside volunteers to troubleshoot and repair them. Services include knife, scissor and garden tool sharpening, clothing and sewing repairs, bike repairs, quilt fabric exchange, small appliance repairs and jewelry repairs. Knife and tool sharpening is by appointment, with fees set by the vendor. Volunteers with repair skills are also welcome to share their talents and help neighbours learn how to fix things. Everyone is welcome; come connect with your community and help make repair the first choice instead of disposal!

• September 22 & 29 at 1:45 p.m. at Westend Seniors Activity Centre in Edmonton: Active Aging Series: Dementia Matters - What You Should Know. This is a two-part series. Open to the public; no membership needed. Please re-register. $3.00; please pay at the door. • September 23: Lac La Biche FCSS Senior Staycations. For seniors 55+, join us for our summer staycations as we tour around. Prices and times vary by trip. For this Staycation, we’ll be visiting Mayfield Dinner Theatre. For more information, contact Kristen at Kristen.shewchuk@ laclabichecounty.com.

• September 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at GFLS (Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society) in Calgary: Birthday Supper; $27 ticket. Celebrate our August & September birthday guests with a 3-course dinner and enjoy live entertainment. Ticket sales close at the end of business the Friday before the event—book early! • September 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at McArthur Place Tea Room: Lac La Biche County FCSS Coffee and Connections. Join us for this free drop-in program every Thursday. Coffee and Connections is open to all seniors 55+.

Enter to win tickets to

MURDER

ON THE

ORIENT

EXPRESS

at The Citadel Theatre in Edmonton! Expect mystery and secrets from Agatha Christie’s iconic ‘whodunnit’ adapted by Ken Ludwig! The legendary detective, Hercule Poirot, must use his keen eye and attention for detail to gather the evidence and solve the case to catch the murderer in their midst.

Enter at albertaseniorliving.ca/enter-to-win albertaseniorliving.ca

Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 39

Community & Connection • September 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Confederation Park 55+ Activity Centre in Calgary: Grand Opening Dinner Show & Dance: $50.00 for members and $60.00 for non-members. Join us for a spectacular Grand Opening Dinner Show and Dance, featuring The Jacklyn Sparrow Band. Please register at yycseniors.com or call 403-289-4780.

OCTOBER • October 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at MacDonald Island Park in Fort McMurray: Seniors Wellness Expo; free event. Your pathway to healthy aging! Join us for a vendor expo featuring resources, information, and opportunities to learn how to support your health, wellness, and social connection. Enjoy free activities including carpet bowling, pickleball, rock climbing, and more. Adults aged 55+ will receive free access to MacDonald Island Park on the day of the event. Light refreshments will be provided. • October 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Confederation Park 55+ Activity Centre in Calgary: Respite Care: Temporary Relief, Lasting Support: $10.00 for non-members and free for members. Temporary relief for today. Lasting support for tomorrow. Discover how Respite Care empowers seniors to protect their hearing, sharpen their minds, and thrive at every stage. Please register at yycseniors.com or call 403-289-4780. • October 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at McArthur Place Tea Room: Lac La Biche County FCSS Coffee and Connections. Join us for this free drop-in program every Thursday. Coffee and Connections is open to all seniors 55+.

• October 7 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lac La Biche County FCSS Seniors Aquafit. Join us in our new pool for Seniors Aquafit. Aquafit is a water-based exercise class combining cardio, strength training, and flexibility. This is a free drop-in program open to all Seniors 55+.

• October 7 & 14 at 6:00 p.m. at Westend Seniors Activity Centre in Edmonton: Active Aging Series: Your Retirement Roadmap - Income, Benefits & Financial Security. This is a two-part series. Open to the public; no membership needed. Please re-register. $3.00; please pay at the door. • October 8 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at GFLS (Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society) in Calgary: Community Lunch - $12 plate. Share a meal, make new friends, and enjoy a welcoming afternoon. • October 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at McArthur Place Tea Room: Lac La Biche County FCSS Coffee and Connections. Join us for this free drop-in program every Thursday. Coffee and Connections is open to all seniors 55+. • October 13, 20 & 27 at 1:00 p.m. at Westend Seniors Activity Centre in Edmonton: Active Aging Series: Minding Stress Workshop. This is a three-part series. Open to the public; no membership needed. Please re-register. $3.00; please pay at the door.

• October 14 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lac La Biche County FCSS Seniors Aquafit. Join us in our new pool for Seniors Aquafit. Aquafit is a water-based exercise class combining cardio, strength training, and flexibility. This is a free drop-in program open to all Seniors 55+. • October 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at McArthur Place Tea Room: Lac La Biche County FCSS Coffee and Connections. Join us for this free drop-in program every Thursday. Coffee and Connections is open to all seniors 55+.

• October 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at BSC (Bowness Seniors’ Centre) in Calgary: Monthly BINGO; Card sales begin at 11:00 a.m. There’s always a variety of games to play, including Early Bird, Odd or Even, Regular Card games, and a Progressive Pot. Concession items are available. Come out and join us for a fun afternoon! • October 16 from 5:00 p.m. to late at BSC (Bowness Seniors’ Centre) in Calgary: Oktoberfest; Join us for a fun Germaninspired meal! Spend the evening enjoying the festive atmosphere with great friends and company. Dinner complete with dancing and music.

40 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

• October 21 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lac La Biche County FCSS Seniors Aquafit. Join us in our new pool for Seniors Aquafit. Aquafit is a water-based exercise class combining cardio, strength training, and flexibility. This is a free drop-in program open to all Seniors 55+. • October 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at GFLS (Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society) in Calgary: Birthday Supper; $27 ticket. Celebrate our October birthday guests with a 3-course dinner and enjoy live entertainment. Ticket sales close at the end of business the Friday before the event—book early! • October 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at McArthur Place Tea Room: Lac La Biche County FCSS Coffee and Connections. Join us for this free drop-in program every Thursday. Coffee and Connections is open to all seniors 55+.

• October 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 pm at GFLS (Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society) in Calgary: Coffee & Conversation! $2 Drop-in. Join us for informal chats over coffee! Topic TBD.

• October 28 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lac La Biche County FCSS Seniors Aquafit. Join us in our new pool for Seniors Aquafit. Aquafit is a water-based exercise class combining cardio, strength training, and flexibility. This is a free drop-in program open to all Seniors 55+. • October 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at McArthur Place Tea Room: Lac La Biche County FCSS Coffee and Connections. Join us for this free drop-in program every Thursday. Coffee and Connections is open to all seniors 55+.

• October 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at GFLS (Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society) in Calgary: Halloween Party. Join us for Scary Bingo, Halloween Trivia, a Costume Competition, Corn Hole, and plenty more spooky surprises. Wear your favourite costume (optional), bring your Halloween spirit, and enjoy an afternoon of laughter, games, prizes, and festive fun with friends. Everyone is welcome!

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Small Town Care. Big City Technology. Frequency Hearing is proud to be Beaumont’s first local hearing clinic serving Beaumont, Leduc, Edmonton, and the surrounding region.

4920 50 Avenue, Beaumont, AB T4X 1J9 Open Weekdays: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Late appointments are available by request T: 780-737-7117 frequencyhearing.ca

St. Michaels’s Extended Care Society

“St. Michael’s is proud to celebrate 50 years of care with love and dignity. This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of our staff, the trust of our residents, and the continued support of our community.”

Community & Connection

“Boomers”

With a Little More Zip!

By Kaylie Thomas

hen the Chappelle Gardens Residents Association first opened the Social House, the vision was simple: create a gathering place where neighbours could connect, build friendships, and foster a true sense of community. While many of our early programs focused on young families and children, there was one audience that remained largely untapped—our seniors. What we quickly learned is that this demographic wasn’t just looking for activities. They were looking for connection. In 2018, a wonderful and lively resident named Susan approached the Association with a suggestion: create a group for older adults living in Chappelle Gardens. At the time, I had only recently stepped into my first programming role, having started in 2017, and if I’m being completely honest, I wasn’t convinced the idea would last more than a few months. Susan, however, knew exactly what she was looking for—a sense of community right here in her own neighbourhood. When we hosted that very first meeting, the response was overwhelming. Resident after resident showed up, all seeking the same thing: friendship,

conversation, and meaningful connections close to home. Many were retired, some were new to the community, and others were simply looking for a reason to get out of the house and meet people who shared similar experiences. Most clubs at the Social House met monthly, so I was surprised when the group suggested meeting every week. Every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., they wanted a dedicated time to gather, chat, laugh, and connect with a cup of coffee. Fortunately, we had the space, the resources, and I had the time, so we agreed. Eight years later, that schedule remains unchanged. Every Wednesday. Every week. 11 o’clock. Without fail. One of my favourite memories from those early meetings wasn’t about the schedule—it was about the name. The first gathering was advertised as the “Chappelle Gardens Senior Club.” That title lasted approximately one meeting before the group made it very clear that something better was needed. Suggestions flew around the room, and we eventually landed on “The Zoomers Club”—a playful spin on “Boomers,” but with a little more zip, energy, and personality. Anyone who has spent even five minutes with this group knows it couldn’t be more fitting. From the beginning, we agreed that

42 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

the Zoomers would have the freedom to gather weekly, while the Association would plan one enhanced activity each month. Over the years, those activities have included everything from art projects, puzzles, and crafts to bingo tournaments, trivia challenges, guest speakers, holiday celebrations, and community outings. The friendships formed through the Zoomers Club became so strong that one gathering a week simply wasn’t enough. Over time, members began expressing interest in spending even more time together, which led to the creation of the Zoomers Card Club. What started as an extension of the Wednesday Zoomers meetings soon found its own place on the Social House calendar, with members gathering every Monday for weekly card games, conversation, and plenty of friendly competition. Today, the Card Club continues to thrive, giving members another opportunity to connect, laugh, and enjoy each other’s

The Social House was always intended to be a place where neighbours became friends. The Zoomers took that vision and brought it to life in a way none of us could have anticipated. albertaseniorliving.ca

Community & Connection company. It serves as a wonderful reminder that when people find a genuine sense of belonging, community has a way of growing naturally. Of course, the Zoomers didn’t stop there. Before long, they began organizing monthly lunch excursions of their own, exploring restaurants throughout Southwest Edmonton and beyond. What started as a weekly coffee-and-conversation club evolved into something much bigger—a thriving social network built on genuine friendship. Looking back, I realize how much this group shaped my understanding of community programming. As someone who was brand new to the field, I expected to organize activities. What I didn’t expect was how much I would learn from the people attending them. I often joke that the Zoomers have completely changed my perspective on aging. If growing older means laughing this much, staying this curious, and maintaining friendships this strong, then perhaps it’s not something to fear at all. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many of these residents not just for their age, but as people. I’ve heard stories of careers, adventures, families, hardships, and triumphs. I’ve witnessed new friendships form, watched members support one another through life’s challenges, and seen newcomers welcomed with open arms. Like so many community groups, the Zoomers faced one of their greatest challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Weekly gatherings came to a halt, routines were disrupted, and many members suddenly found themselves isolated from friends and family. Yet what stood out most during that time was not the distance—it was the care they showed for one another. Watching the Zoomers support one another through such an uncertain and difficult time was truly inspirational. It was a beautiful reminder that community isn’t defined by a building or a scheduled gathering—it’s defined by people who genuinely care for one another. While we all looked forward to the day we could meet again around the

tables at the Social House, the pandemic proved that the spirit of the Zoomers extended far beyond Wednesday mornings. Some newer members have even described the Zoomers Club as their “lifeline” after relocating to Edmonton—a place where they instantly found companionship, belonging, and a familiar face each week. That sentiment speaks directly to why the club has endured for eight years. The Social House was always intended to be a place where neighbours became friends. The Zoomers took that vision and brought it to life in a way none of us could have anticipated. While members frequently express gratitude for the opportunities and friendships they’ve found through the club, the truth is that the gratitude goes both ways. In a world that often focuses on the next generation, it is important to remember the value of those who came before us. Our oldest residents carry decades of experience, wisdom, resilience, and stories that enrich our community in ways that cannot be measured. They deserve not only our respect, but our recognition and celebration. As the Zoomers Club approaches nearly a decade of Wednesday mornings, laughterfilled conversations, card games, lunches, and friendships, their legacy at the Social House is undeniable. What began as a simple suggestion from one resident has grown into a cornerstone of our community.

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Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 43

KAYLIE THOMAS Kaylie is the Program and Events Manager at the Chappelle Gardens Residents Association in Edmonton, where she leads the development of programs, events, and initiatives that bring neighbours together and strengthen community connections. With experience in event management and operations, she is passionate about creating engaging experiences for residents of all ages, from youth programs and summer camps to community celebrations and senior initiatives. Kaylie believes that strong communities are built through meaningful connections and is proud to help create opportunities for residents to connect, belong, and make lasting memories in Chappelle Gardens.

Finance & Practical Living

Retirement Income 101:

Turning Your Savings into a Paycheque By Trixie Rowein

etirement is one of life’s greatest milestones. After decades of hard work, saving, and planning, you finally have the opportunity to enjoy your time on your terms. But in my 26 years of experience guiding clients, I have seen retirement bring a new challenge - switching your mindset from accumulating wealth to now generating income from your savings and learning how to spend it wisely. The good news? With the right strategy, your retirement income can be just as dependable as the paycheque you received during your working years.

RETIREMENT INCOME SOURCES

Many retirees enter retirement with a portfolio, possibly a pension and government benefits. Yet they often feel financially uncertain because the steady employment income has stopped. Think of retirement income planning like building a stool with several strong legs. Each source of income contributes to your financial stability: • Canada Pension Plan (CPP) • Old Age Security (OAS) • Workplace pensions • Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) • Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) • Non-registered investments The goal is to coordinate these sources so they work together efficiently and sustainably. A thoughtful withdrawal strategy can help you keep

44 Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026

more of your money, smooth out your lifetime tax bill and potentially reduce OAS clawback exposure. UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT BENEFITS

For most Canadians, retirement income begins with government benefits. In 2026, the maximum Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement benefit at age 65 is approximately $1,507 per month, although most retirees receive less depending on their contribution history. CPP can be taken as early as age 60 at a reduced rate or postponed up to age 70 for a larger benefit. Old Age Security (OAS) provides additional income. Canadians aged 65 to 74 can receive up to approximately $752 per month, while those aged 75 and older may receive up to $827 per month. OAS cannot be taken early but can be postponed until age 70 for a larger benefit. Remember, OAS benefits albertaseniorliving.ca

Finance & Practical Living With the right strategy, your retirement income can be just as dependable as the paycheque you received during your working years. are income-tested and can be reduced, or clawed back, if your income is above approximately $95,000. A couple receiving full CPP and OAS could potentially receive more than $4,500 per month before considering pensions, RRIF income, or investment withdrawals. These government programs provide a valuable foundation, but for many retirees they won’t be enough to maintain their desired lifestyle. KNOW WHAT RETIREMENT WILL COST

Before deciding how much to withdraw from your savings and investments, you need to understand your spending needs. Think about your expenses in three categories: • Essential costs such as housing, groceries, insurance, and healthcare. • Lifestyle expenses such as travel, hobbies, and entertainment. • Major future expenses such as home renovations, vehicles, or helping family members. TURNING YOUR RRSP INTO INCOME

At retirement, most Canadians convert their RRSP into a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF). A RRIF allows your investments to remain invested while providing regular withdrawals. You can think

of it as creating your own personal pension plan. The biggest challenge is finding the right balance. Withdraw too much, and you may deplete your savings prematurely. Withdraw too little, and you may unnecessarily limit the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to enjoy. A retirement income plan should consider: • Life expectancy • Inflation • Investment returns • Taxes • Estate planning goals The objective is simple: create sustainable income that can last throughout retirement. DON’T FORGET YOUR TFSA

The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is one of the most valuable retirement tools available. Unlike RRIF withdrawals, TFSA withdrawals are completely tax-free. They do not increase taxable income and do not affect OAS eligibility. Many retirees use their TFSA strategically when they need extra income for a vacation, vehicle purchase, or unexpected expense. This flexibility can reduce taxes and preserve valuable government benefits. PREPARE FOR INFLATION

Retirement today can easily last 25+ years. During that time, inflation steadily erodes purchasing power. The groceries, travel, and healthcare costs you face today will likely cost considerably more in the future. That’s why retirement income planning isn’t simply about generating income today. Your investment portfolio

should continue growing enough to help offset inflation and support future spending needs. FINAL THOUGHTS

Retirement income planning isn’t about maximizing account balances. It’s about creating confidence with a thoughtful strategy that will allow you to live well today while feeling secure about tomorrow. You spent years building your wealth. Now it’s time to let that wealth support the life you envisioned: more family, more experiences, and more peace of mind. Reach out to my team to learn more or for a second opinion. TRIXIE ROWEIN Trixie Rowein is known for her work ethic and commitment to the community and clients. She started her career at Raymond James in 2000 as a financial advisor and has been empowering and guiding clients to make smart decisions for 25 years. She and her team specialize in advising clients going through a transition, including retirement, loss of a spouse through death or divorce and transitioning wealth to the next generation. Growing up in Edmonton in an immigrant family, she saw firsthand how smart financial planning could transform lives. As a lifelong learner, she has earned several designations, including the Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA) designation, as serving our aging population matters to her. She values education - writing a weekly e-newsletter, in addition to hosting regular seminars and speaking to high school and UofA students. Trixie is on the Board of Directors of Little Warriors charitable organization, and part of the Raymond James Canada Foundation (RJCF) Advisory Committee. She and her husband Ian enjoy travelling, gardening and spending time out at their acreage. Trixie has two daughters and is fluent in Spanish.

Information in this article is from sources believed to be reliable; however, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete. It is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal investment advice or solicitation to buy or sell securities. Raymond James advisors are not tax advisors, and we recommend that clients seek independent advice from a professional advisor on tax-related matters. The views are those of the author, Trixie Rowein, and not necessarily those of Raymond James Ltd. Investors considering any investment should consult with their Investment Advisor to ensure that it is suitable for the investor’s circumstances and risk tolerance before making any investment decision. Raymond James Ltd. is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Raymond James Ltd. is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

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Alberta Senior living A lifestyle Magazine for Albertans 55+ • September/October 2026 45

Finance & Practical Living

The New Face of Fraud: Scams Every Albertan Over 55 Should Know About By Julie Matthews

an you spot a fake video or photo online? You may think you can, but artificial intelligence (AI) technology is advancing so rapidly it is becoming more difficult to spot scams created with AI. The biggest danger isn’t the technology itself but how convincing these scams have become. Today’s fraud is about manipulation, making you feel fear and urgency or other emotions so you act or click without thinking. The scams are polished, professional and tailored just for you. One of the fastest-growing threats is AI voice cloning. Scammers can create a copy of someone’s voice using only seconds of audio taken from a social media video or voicemail message. They use this to call pretending to be a grandchild or family member in trouble, needing you to send money to help. They will sound just like them! Protect yourself from this scam by having a family safe word. When someone calls pretending to be a family member in trouble, ask them for that word. The fraudsters won’t know it. I know numerous individuals in Alberta who have been saved from this scam by having that safe word. Deepfake videos are one of the most common and dangerous scams involving AI. Criminals use the technology to create realisticlooking videos of people you know and trust. Celebrities, politicians, news personalities, bank officials and more have their images stolen and used in these scams. The videos often promote fake investments, cryptocurrency schemes, miracle health products, or are trying to start a romantic relationship or friendship with you. Don’t trust videos like this asking you to send money or provide personal information. The investment scams and romance scams using AI are the ones I hear about the most. So many Albertans have been devastated by these scams, truly believing the prime minister told them to invest in something, or that a certain celebrity is actually messaging with them. Please keep an eye on your loved ones. They often won’t tell anyone when they have fallen victim to these scams.

I recently spoke to an Alberta woman who clicked on a social media video she thought was the prime minister advertising a protected cryptocurrency investment. All she had to do was invest $350. That didn’t seem too bad. However, then the daily phone calls and high-pressure tactics began. Promises of high returns, and she was told she could take her money out whenever she wanted. That did not happen. After six months, she had invested $15,000 she did not have to spare and couldn’t get a cent back. Celebrity romance scams using AI are skyrocketing! I hear from more and more Albertans who think they are messaging with Kevin Costner, Sandra Bullock, Liam Neeson, and every model, singer and celebrity you can think of. They receive personalized AI videos, so it looks like that celebrity is really communicating with them. They are very convincing. But sadly, they are fake, and eventually these scammers also find reasons why they need you to send money. AI is also just helping scammers personalize each message and image just for us. AI will write the messages for the criminals, making it sound more legitimate, and with perfect grammar, spelling and empathy.

AI GENERATED

FAKE

SO HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?

Seeing is no longer believing. Photos, voices, videos and messages can all be manipulated. Slow down. Scammers use panic and excitement to their advantage. They are using your emotions against you. Verify everything independently. Look up the website or phone number yourself. Check profiles for that person. You can’t just trust your gut anymore. And that old saying “too good to be true” is a good tool, but it’s not enough anymore. The scams are getting too good. Stop and ask yourself, “Am I being manipulated into feeling something right now?” Research everything and know that AI is everywhere and it is here to stay. Stay safe!

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JULIE MATTHEWS Julie Matthews provides dynamic fraud prevention presentations across Western Canada to seniors, businesses and communities. Before starting her own business, Julie was an Investigative TV reporter for 19 years and an investigator with the Government of Alberta’s Consumer Investigations Unit. She is a certified fraud examiner and has the popular weekly segment “Scam Alert” on 840 CFCW radio. For more information or to book Julie, visit her website at juliematthews.ca

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See page 19 and read how we helped Marty get back to living his life.