Team profiles :

Town of Stony Plain

At a Glance   

Region: Alberta

Setting: Urban and Rural

EAIP program principle(s): 

• Access to social and community supports 

Implementation (new, spread, and/or expand):   

• Expand 

Team Profile  

The Town of Stony Plain is leading this initiative with the support of regional community collaborations.  

Community

• The organizations serve Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, and Parkland County (Tri-Municipal Region). These areas are considered small, urban and rural. 
• The target population includes vulnerable residents with diverse health and social needs and their care partners. 
• Aging Population: In 2021, 13% of residents were aged 65 and older, a 72% increase since 2007, compared to 12% for Alberta. By 2027, 16% of the population will be 65 and older, compared to 17% for Alberta. 
• Family Violence and Elder Abuse: In 2023, the Parkland RCMP recorded 1299 domestic violence cases, with 203 of these calls for individuals aged 60 and older. 
• Poverty and Homelessness: In 2022, nearly 50 residents were houseless, and 1133 were at risk of homelessness in the Tri-Municipal area, with trends showing exponential growth. 
• Newcomers: The 2021 Canada Census recorded 7,290 immigrants in the Tri-Municipal area. 

Program Focus 

Program Description  

• The Aging in Place Community Collaborative (AIPCC) envisions a safe and caring community that values the well-being of older adults, vulnerable adults, and care partners. The goal is to enable vulnerable residents with health and social needs to age well in community no matter what stage of life they are in. Key activities include: 
  • establishing a Community Connector position for personalized support and referrals 
  • continuous evaluation and improvement of programs and services 
  • increasing awareness through community outreach and training sessions 
  • building a robust collaborative with diverse stakeholders.  
• The overall mission is to reduce barriers, enhance access to support services, and create a supportive environment that empowers vulnerable residents to age well. AIPCC aims to foster a sense of community belonging and advocate for impactful solutions that benefit residents in the Tri-Municipal Region, ultimately improving health and social outcomes. 

Implementation Approach:

• Community Connector Program: Establish a Community Connector role to provide personalized support and referrals, working closely with stakeholders to expand relationships, provide information on elder abuse prevention, dementia care, and aging in place, and enhance well-being and quality of life for vulnerable residents. 
• Programming and Community Awareness: Continuously evaluate and develop programs based on participant feedback, focusing on creating meaningful connections for vulnerable residents, and providing support for care partners through community engagement and awareness initiatives. 
• Shifting Awareness and Perspective: Increase awareness of the challenges faced by vulnerable residents, emphasizing community-based assets to strengthen resilience through initiatives like Senior Connect, Neighbourhood Connect, and training sessions on elder abuse prevention, poverty awareness and inclusion and diversity awareness. 
• Capacity Building Collaboration: Build a robust coalition with diverse representatives from organizations and community members, consolidating efforts to improve outcomes for underserved residents by enhancing coordination, advocacy, and resource-sharing. 
• Evaluation and Continuous Quality Improvement: On-going quality improvement using asset-based community development principles, evaluating and measuring outcomes to enhance program effectiveness, quality of life for residents, and incorporating feedback and data into program delivery.