Retirement living in Calgary is changing. In the wake of the pandemic, seniors are seeking vibrant, socially connected communities that offer first-class amenities — residents want concierge service, but they also want choice and independence. Developers are responding to this demand, shifting from the traditional senior “facility” model in both construction and day-to-day operations. More of today’s seniors are wiling to pay a premium for the ultimate luxury: living their golden years on their own terms.
Riverwalk
The desire for autonomy defines the seniors who call Riverwalk in Cliff Bungalow home. The 12-storey retirement residence offers an extravagant slice of inner-city living. Suites are fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, providing stunning views of the Elbow River and downtown. The views from the building are matched by the vibrance and convenience of the surrounding neighbourhood.
“Riverwalk has a very high walkability score. Our residents love being close to coffee shops, restaurants and doctors’ offices,” says Sheri Brown, director of sales and marketing, Western Canada, at Verve Senior Living, Riverwalk’s parent company.
A scheduled series of events, from museum trips to in-house casino nights and themed entertainment options, keeps residents busy.
Riverwalk also includes two restaurants, a spa and hair salon, a private gym and a sweeping terrace. Family and friends can join in on the fun and even book a night in one of the building’s guest suites.
Suites are designed as full apartments complete with kitchenettes (and in-suite laundry in independent-living suites), so residents can maintain familiar routines if they choose. Resident-led committees also help shape programming, deciding on outings or events that reflect the community’s interests. These touches keep independence at the core of Riverwalk’s urban lifestyle.
“We’re definitely like a cruise ship on land,” Brown says. “Our residents wake up each day and decide what they want to do — have a coffee with friends, join an activity, or just relax in their suite. And they gain independence because they no longer have to worry about groceries, cooking or housekeeping.”
The Journey Club
If an inner-city retirement doesn’t fit their vibe, seniors can look south to The Journey Club in Mahogany. The lakeside senior residence is one of five options in the larger resort-style community of Westman Village, which was awarded Best New Community in Canada in 2022 by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.
Outside, pristine fountains and a lush courtyard create a peaceful atmosphere for lake walks and visiting the more than 20 nearby boutiques and restaurants. Inside, The Journey Club is attached to Westman Village’s 40,000-square-foot amenities centre, complete with a walking track, pool, woodworking shop and teaching kitchen.
“It really is an all-inclusive style of living,” says Jennifer Fulkerth, The Journey Club’s executive director. “You don’t really have to leave, and, if we don’t have it, we bring it in.”
That white-glove promise extends to seniors’ evolving care needs. Fulkerth says that, in the wake of COVID-19, seniors realized how much they value both social contact and the reassurance of care close at hand.
“People don’t want a facility, they want a community that adapts to them,” she says.
The Journey Club’s flexible wellness model is built around an age-in-place design. Residents and their families choose from curated wellness plans — whether it’s independent living, assisted living or 24-hour memory care, the services come directly to the resident’s suite, so friendships and routines remain uninterrupted.
For dementia care, The Journey Club uses the acclaimed Butterfly Care model, which prioritizes emotional connection and a home-like atmosphere over clinical routines. A visit from chief happiness officer Henry, a trained black lab service dog, is also easy to arrange.
These choices are what set the community apart. Residents don’t give up control when they move in: they decide which supports to add and how to spend their days.
Origin at Spring Creek
Luxury senior living anchored within a larger resort-style community is also available outside Calgary. In Canmore, Origin at Spring Creek is a seniors’ hub nestled in a mountain village of trails, condos and shops.
“We always joke that we’re in the heart of Canmore, because Spring Creek is literally in the centre of town,” says Origin at Spring Creek’s general manager, Michael Hay.
Set against the Rockies, Spring Creek’s level pathways make everyday strolls accessible. Origin’s residents enjoy an active lifestyle, including cycling programs, guided walks and boat rides on Ghost Lake. Indoor amenities include a spa and heated pool, art and activity studios, and a wellness-focused fitness centre.
What seniors truly value is the sense of belonging to the larger Canmore community, Hay says. At Spring Creek’s neighbourhood pub, The Mineshaft, located onsite and open to the public, Origin’s residents can mix with locals and tourists on packed Friday nights for live music.
Being part of a larger community applies to care, as well. Origin operates under a unique agreement with Alberta Health Services, which helps the seniors’ living centre staff registered nurses on-site around the clock. Having public health-care oversight baked into a private operation is a key selling feature, especially after COVID-19.
Hay says the integration of lifestyle and personalized health care is what gives residents control and sets the bar for what they expect from Origin. They can live among neighbours, host family in a public space and manage health decisions without leaving their community.
“Our residents have high expectations. They’re not told to move here, they choose to live here,” says Hay. “The last great moment becomes the new standard, and then we raise the bar again.”
Aging in place
HomeFree helps seniors age in place while providing peace of mind.
Luxury in retirement has a simple definition: the freedom to age well, and affordably, in the house they already love. That’s where HomeFree comes in. “We are proving that we can get patients out of long-term care and hospitals in a way that benefits patients, families, the health system and care workers,” says Dr. Charles Wong, HomeFree’s co-founder and medical director.
As an ER doctor, Wong says hospitals and long-term care facilities are oversubscribed with patients who could safely return home. The problem lies in hospital beds being the one place where unscheduled care can be provided immediately. He also says traditional home care is disconnected from physician care. Once the need for any medical involvement arises, the patient is usually deemed to have “failed” home care and sent to a facility.
HomeFree’s novel model of “medically supervised home care” starts with an in-home assessment by Wong, who can coordinate with the patient’s physicians to guide care. HomeFree then works with the patient and their family to create a comprehensive plan for medical needs.
Unlike traditional home care, HomeFree provides consistent caregivers who get to know the patient and are expertly trained in their health conditions, medications and preferences. Care is reviewed by Wong weekly.
HomeFree qualifies for Alberta’s new Client Directed Home Care Invoicing program. This allows families to direct publicly funded dollars to private providers of their choice, topping up a small amount to tailor their plan. Wong says the innovative funding model positions Alberta as a leader in Canada for reforming how we look after people in their homes.
“It’s a fundamental change to how care is administered,” says Wong. “Instead of the system deciding what you need, the patient decides for themselves.”
