Contact MD of Bighorn Community Services

Please contact Community Services if you have any questions regarding services offered by any of the agencies below, or regarding agencies not listed below, or for the MD's Community Services.

Email: doug.saul@mdbighorn.ca 

Phone: 403-673-3611, extension 223

Regional Clubs & Recreation for Seniors

Below is a partial list of regional organizations for seniors as well as general organizations that include opportunities for seniors. More opportunities will be listed with an internet search of "seniors recreation", plus the name of the nearby community or county that interests you, such "Bragg Creek" or "Bow Valley" or "Sundre" or "Rocky View County" or "Mountain View County" or "Clearwater County". Contacting one organization often will lead to additional connections and opportunities that are not listed on their website. Clubs do not require residency in their namesake community/town.

Seniors on the Bow Centre - Cochrane

Sundre West Country Centre

Bragg Creek Seniors

Water Valley Community Association

Banff Seniors

Canmore Seniors Association

Regional Social Supports for Seniors

Many social supports for seniors are available from neighbouring communities and counties. Some have specific partnerships with the MD of Bighorn to deliver seniors' services. Below is a partial listing of service providers for seniors. Additional supports not specific to seniors are listed on the page "Community Support".

If you would like assistance finding these services, or if you have any questions at all, please feel welcome to contact Community Services at the email or phone number listed on the side of this webpage.

Town of Cochrane, Services for Seniors

Cremona Community Services (tax filing assistance)

Canmore: Seniors (Family & Community Support Services)

Transportation Assistance Program: This program provides financial support in the form of taxi vouchers on a limited basis to seniors living within the MD of Bighorn. Please read the program details, below, before applying for the program. If you believe you are eligible, fill out an online form. You will hear back from the Community Services within three weeks of the date of your submitted application.

Note that to submit an online form you must create an account with the MD of Bighorn, if you do not already have one. To create an account, click on the applicable form, then click on the link that says "signing in or creating an account." Next, enter your email address and then your first and last name. When an account is created your form(s) can be saved in-progress and will be stored in the account and available at anytime. If you would like assistance with this, please feel welcome to contact Community Services.

MD of Bighorn Transportation Assistance Program (PDF)

Transportation Assistance Program Online Application Form

Regional Housing Supports for Seniors

Housing options for seniors looking at increased support and security come in a variety of forms with increasing levels of support, such as fully independent apartments, functionally independent lodges, assisted living and continuing care. Local availability and waitlists very region by region, typically with waitlists for fully and functionally independent settings.

If you have any questions regarding regional housing supports for seniors, or if you would like assistance in getting starting or in finding a way through the options, please contact Community Services.

Rocky View Foundation: Rocky View Foundation provides affordable housing options to independent seniors (65+) living in the Rocky View, Alberta region, which includes Cochrane, AB.

Bow Valley Regional Housing: Providing Caring and Affordable Housing Services to Bow Valley Region Seniors and Residents

Mountain View Seniors' Housing: Mountain View Seniors’ Housing is a non-profit organization, and a registered charity, operating seniors’ lodges, seniors’ self-contained apartments and subsidized family housing in Carstairs, Sundre, Olds and Didsbury.

Government of Alberta - Continuing Care: Information related to Continuing Care, including support levels defined, detailed descriptions and facilities searches.

Alberta Health Services - Home Care: Note that the MD of Bighorn is in the Alberta Health Services Calgary Zone. If you have any questions at all regarding Home Care in the MD of Bighorn, please feel welcome to contact Community Services.

Provincial & Federal Government Supports for Seniors

Supports for seniors are provided by both the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada. Supports range from health tips to home renovations subsidies to special needs assistance, to dental and optical assistance and more. Please review with information provided on the following links. If you would like more support in finding the assistance that is right for you, please contact the MD of Bighorn Community Services at the contact information provided above and on the side of this page.

Government of Alberta - Seniors: Includes links to Health Information, Seniors Events, Affordable Housing and Rent Assistance, Financial Assistance for Seniors, Support for Caregivers, and more.

Government of Canada - Programs and Services for Seniors

Government of Canada - Health Information for Seniors

Crisis Support

If you have immediate safety, but are feeling that you require substantial support, the following links provide crisis support. If you are concerned for your immediate safety, call 911 now.

If you are currently safe, but would like to know more about 211 and crisis supports, please feel welcome to contact Community Services during regular business hours.

Alberta 211: You may also call 211 on your telephone. On the 211 website, there is a sub-link that is specific to crises involving seniors.

Government of Alberta - Crisis Support

Extreme Heat - Protection, Prevention, Response for Seniors

Summer temperatures in Alberta and across Canada have been high and extreme and have prompted extreme heat warnings and advisories. Below are links on how to stay safe during extreme heat and what to do if you need assistance. Scrolling down the Government of Alberta link will show a sub-link to an Extreme Heat Information Sheet for Seniors.

If you feel you may be vulnerable to extreme heat, please contact Community Services to see what supports may be able to be put in place. MD of Bighorn Community Services: doug.saul@mdbighorn.ca

Government of Alberta - Extreme Heat Preparedness and Responses

Government of Canada - How to protect yourself from the health effects of extreme heat