Services for Seniors

Seniors and older adults in our community are active, vibrant and engaged in a variety of recreational, cultural and service programs. Explore our Senior Services pages to find out more about programs and services available for Cochrane and area residents 50 years of age and over.

Cochrane Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) runs programs and information sessions of interest to seniors. 

Benefit Programs

• Municipal Programs

  • Town of Cochrane - Seniors Property Tax Rebate Program
  • Cochrane Family & Community Support Services (FCSS)
    • FCSS can help older adults with government forms and system navigation. 
    • Call to book an appointment: 403-851-2250
    • Forms include: 
      • Federal Benefits
        • Old Age Security (OAS) (link above)
        • Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) (link above)
        • Pension Splitting 
        • Survivor Benefits (link above)
      • Provincial Benefits
        • Alberta Senior Benefits (link above)
          • Seniors Financial Assistance Program 
          • Dental and Optical Assistance Programs
          • Special Needs Assistance Program
          • Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program
          • Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program
      • Municipal Benefits 
        • Town of Cochrane Property Tax Rebate Program (link above)
    • Cochrane Connect Card
    • Connecting DOTS (Dementia and Other Therapy/Services) Resource Booklet
    • Volunteer Income Tax Preparation Program

• Federal Programs - Call Service Canada at 800-277-9914

  • Service Canada
  • Public Pension Plans
  • Canada Pension Plan Retirement Pension
  • Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits
  • Old Age Security Pension (OAS)
  • Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
  • Guaranteed Income Supplement Allowance Program (Ages 60-64)
  • Survivor's Pension

• Provincial Programs

  • Alberta Seniors Benefit program for dental, optical and education property tax assistance - View the Seniors Benefit Estimator
  • Special Needs Assistance for Seniors
  • Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL)  - Calls are toll-free in Alberta: 310-0000, then 780-427-0731
  • Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program 
  • Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors
  • Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP)
  • Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP)
  • Premium-free Coverage for Prescription Drugs and Other Health-Related Services

Caregiver Support

• Caregivers Alberta  
• Adult Day Program Providing Respite to Caregivers
• COMPASS for the Caregiver Facilitated Program - See the Cochrane Program and Activity Guide for offerings.
• Connecting DOTS (Dementia and Other Therapy / Services) - Download the resource booklet to review the many resources available - New Booklet Coming in December 2022!
• Home Care - 403-851-6060

Health Services

• Alberta Health Services
• Cochrane Community Health Centre - 403-851-6000
• HEALTHLink Alberta - Seniors' health concerns - Dial 811
• Home Care - Cochrane (within the Calgary Zone) - 403-851-6060
• Seniors Health One Line Referral - 403-267-2991

Seniors' Rights & Advocacy

• Alberta Office of the Seniors Advocate
• Alberta Ombudsman: Supports administrative fairness of provincial programs (AHS, Provincial Government, health and accounting professionals) - 403-297-6185
• CARP - Canadian Association for adults ages 50 years and older - 888-363-2279
• National Seniors' Council
• Provincial Advisory Councils - Seniors & Continuing Care
• Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA)

Supportive Living & Long-Term Care Facilities

For a list of local facilities for seniors, see the DOTS booklet. Visit the Alberta Seniors Housing Directory or the Calgary's Housing Directory for Seniors for more options.  Alberta Health Services maintains a list of hospitals and health facilities by region (Cochrane is in the Calgary region). Visit the Continuing Care Facility Directory. 

Transportation

• Cochrane On-Demand Local Transit System (COLT) Bus
• COLT and ON-It Regional Transit 
• Rocky View Regional Handi Bus
• SWIFT Mini Thni (Morley) Transit

Tax Support

• Seniors Property Tax Rebate Program
• Volunteer Income Tax Program

Assistance 24 Hours Per Day

Dial 211 to access to a wide variety of community, social and government services information.

Local Seniors' Organizations

If you are looking for more information and support, contact FCSS at 403-851-2250 or Seniors on the Bow Centre at 403-932-6002.