Calgary pilot project will see seniors, students living in same building

A pilot project in Calgary is bringing together seniors and students to live under the same roof.

The new intergenerational living arrangement for Silvera For Seniors living comes after a year-and-a-half of planning and could be a sign of things to come in Calgary.

“I saw what was going on with seniors after COVID, the social isolation, the loneliness,” says Bonita Paquette, the founder of the Canadian Alliance for Intergenerational Living. “I thought, why don’t we put those two together and try something that’s been going on in other countries”

Those touting the program say it will assure the care facility a tenant for the next eight months while providing affordable student housing. It also requires the students to provide programming for the residences.

“I see this as a future model for other buildings that we have,” says Silvera’s Chief Service Operator Olivia Chubey. “I want this to be a blueprint for our future.”

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In order to be accepted, students must write an essay identifying their interests and values. Once they are accepted they’ll be required to provide 30 hours of volunteer time each month.

“So they’ll actually be participating in our programming going forward,” says Gayle Ellis, an advisor at Silvera.

Shannon Penner, a psychology student at Mount Royal University, is one of two students accepted into the pilot program and will be living at Westview Town Suites in the city’s southwest.

“I think the relationship will be like a friendship,” she says “Making new friends and getting to know them and hopefully when this project is over, we still have a connection.”

Penner says she isn’t sure what will happen when the pilot project ends, but is hopeful she’ll be able to remain living at the home.

Some critical of intergenerational living programs say there are concerns about affordability for seniors. Paquette says the pilot won’t take away any occupied rooms.

“These rooms are actually vacancies that are persistent in senior residences,” she says.

Current residents tell CityNews they don’t mind sharing their space with some younger tenants.

“They make us feel a little bit younger,” one resident says.

“They know a whole lot more about the world today than I do,” says another. “And they can learn a few wise things from me.”