Fe was an active senior who enjoyed cooking, baking and chasing after her grandkids. At the age of 61, she suffered a stroke that left her with partial paralysis. Whether using a wheelchair or walker, regular chores like cooking, loading the dishwasher and putting away the dishes became impossible in her apartment.
Frustrated by this lack of independence, Fe and her husband decided to make the move to a housing complex that was affordable and wheelchair accessible. A friend recommended Trinity Place Foundation’s Glenway Gate. The barrier-free design, spacious layouts and accessible appliances were all features that would improve their day-to-day living and give Fe her independence back.
With cupboards that raise and lower at the push of a button, an accessible stove and side-loading dishwasher, Fe has taken over the kitchen again — something both she and her husband are happy about. They are also happy about the feeling of community at Glenway Gate. From coffee klatches in the lounge to barbecues on the patio, the residents truly feel like neighbours, making Glenway Gate truly feel like home. Glenway Gate is a model for enhancing independence through careful attention to design and accessibility.
Wayne became involved in TPFA’s Independent Living Skills (ILS) program when neighbours alerted staff to concerns over Wayne’s declining health. In less than six months he’d lost almost 80lbs and had aged dramatically. When the team visited him for the first time he was barely able to catch a breath and hadn’t eaten for almost two weeks. Due to a previous experience, Wayne had anxiety about seeking medical care and refused to see a doctor. The team offered to accompany him to urgent care, where it was discovered he had a severe lung infection requiring urgent hospitalization.
Following his return home from hospital two weeks later, ILS workers helped Wayne get his apartment set up to manage his recovery, connected him with a number of community services, and checked in on him regularly. He is back in his apartment now, where he continues to recover and is living healthier. He has developed better eating habits and no longer requires a walker to get around. Wayne credits the ILS staff for saving his life.
WHAT WE DO
At TPFA we recognize that as people age they are often confronted and confounded by changes to their mental or physical health. These issues may jeopardize a person’s confidence, judgement, and ability to maintain a good quality of life. The ILS program provides tangible and practical ways to assist tenants to recover their independence and to age in place. In some cases, such as Wayne’s, timely intervention can actually be life saving.
Mission statement
To enrich the quality of life of low-income seniors in Calgary with innovative programs and services and effective administration of the housing we manage.
Vision statement
To be a leading Calgary seniors’ organization seeking continuous improvement in the quality of its facilities, services and supports to low-income seniors.
Achievements – CCVO Calgary Non-profit Innovation Award – February 18, 2014.
This award celebrates inventive service offerings and acts to showcase organizations that think outside-the-box to solve problems for vulnerable populations in Calgary, such as low-income seniors. TPFA CEO Lawrence Braul states,
TPFA was experiencing increased vacancies at their East Village buildings and recognized that this situation was in fact an opportunity. TPFA approached Bow Valley College with the hopes of addressing two problems: a shortage of affordable student housing in Calgary, and feelings of isolation among seniors.
A unique program was launched to offer subsidized housing at TPFA’s Murdoch Manor to 15 BVC students in exchange for their time volunteering with senior residents in the building. The students help where needed to plan social events, give computer tips, assist with household tasks or simply spend time sharing stories.
This collaboration with Bow Valley College led to a multi-generational living solution that is making a difference for both the students in need of housing and our TPFA seniors in need of positive social interaction and resulted in TPFA winning the 2013 CCVO Innovation Award.
Recognition – 2013 McKillop Awards Winner for Excellence in Leadership (Video 2:35)
Lawrence Braul, CEO of Trinity Place Foundation of Alberta (TPFA), received the 2013 McKillop Award for Excellence in Leadership on September 26th, 2013. The award recognizes staff employed in not-for-profit leadership positions who have made a contribution toward sustaining and improving human services work through visionary leadership action, advocacy and collaboration.
Independent Living Skills (ILS)
This innovative pilot project was initiated by TPFA to help address the social isolation of seniors and help residents maintain their independence and quality of life by better managing tasks of daily living. The program helps residents who may be struggling with issues exacerbated by physical or mental changes associated with aging. With a persistent shortage of affordable supportive housing in Calgary, more low income seniors are living independently but sometimes lack the supports they need to manage the tasks of daily living during an illness or following a stay in the hospital.
This pilot project is funded by the Government of Canada, the New Horizons program, and by the Calgary Foundation enabling TPFA to employ two ILS workers who provide support to 80 seniors. Synergy Research group is performing a formal independent evaluation of the program with support from the United Way of Calgary and Area.
On-site social work staff
TPFA is one of the only operators of independent subsidized housing to offer social work staff at most of its building locations. The program was launched to help tenants to navigate the health care system and maintain a connection with needed medical supports and services.
The role of our social workers is to advocate on behalf of our residents and link them to health care and community resources. Their focus is to do what they can to bring about the highest possible quality of life by preserving and promoting physical and mental health for our residents. Some examples of how they can help include:
Intergenerational program to reduce isolation
Inspired by a unique project in Red Deer, TPFA recognized that the vacancy situation in one our buildings was an opportunity to be creative. TPFA approached Bow Valley College (BVC) with the hopes of addressing two problems: a shortage of affordable student housing in Calgary and feelings of isolation among seniors.
In exchange for subsidized housing at TPFA’s Murdoch Manor, 15 BVC students volunteer with senior residents in the building. The students help where needed to plan social events, give computer tips, assist with household tasks or simply spend time sharing stories.
This collaboration with Bow Valley College led to a multi-generational living solution that is making a difference for both the students in need of housing and our TPFA seniors in need of positive social interaction and resulted in TPFA winning the 2013 CCVO Innovation Award.
Supportive housing
TPFA was an advocate for a unique supportive care facility that could assist low income chronically homeless older adults (55 and older) who required 24-hour supports. After years of advocacy and effort, Peter Coyle Place was built and opened in 2005. TPFA consulted with colleagues in Western Canada and refined the design of the structure and the harm reducation philosophy of care to suit older adults with complex medical needs.
The result is a modern 70-unit supportive care facility that truly benefits seniors with complex medical needs. Medical supports are offered by the Alex Seniors Clinic through an innovative partnership with the Alex Seniors’ Health Centre. Home Care and personal care is made available through a site based Home Care program.
The Alex Seniors’ Health Centre
About 15 years ago, the Alex Medical Clinic in Inglewood was being asked to find a new home. TPFA recognized that there was space available to accommodate a medical clinic in King Tower and within months, the Alex Seniors Clinic was on site.
Timely access to medical care was difficult for many tenants who did not have a personal physician. It made perfect sense to work closely with the Alex. This long-term partnership has resulted in decreased emergency medical visits and hospitalizations because a tenant can now easily walk to the clinic and be seen by one of the excellent Alex medical staff.
Diversified communities support inclusive living
Located in the heart of Glamorgan, Glenway Gate serves an important need in the community. By offering a mix of affordable and market units, TPFA has created an inclusive community for the older adult population who desire to remain in the community, close to friends and local amenities such as banks and shopping.
Twelve of the building’s 42 suites are barrier-free and incorporate many accessibility features to ensure the building meets the unique needs of seniors with mobility challenges. Communities become complete when diverse housing forms are developed that allow people to move through the phases of life and remain in the community. Glenway Gate has become a highly desirable location in the community of Glamorgan.TPFA is a proud partner in the RESOLVE campaign. This campaign is intended to raise 120 million dollars to build up to 3,000 affordable housing units in the city of Calgary. TPFA’s goal is 11 million dollars. You can support TPFA and the RESOLVE campaign by making a donation to this cause. TPFA plans to build a 120 unit affordable housing/supportive living project to assist seniors in the community of Temple. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.