How to Find Assisted Living in Calgary for a Parent: Step by Step

Quick answer: Start two things in the same week. Ask Alberta Health Services for a free continuing care assessment — call Health Link 811 or Calgary Zone Community Care Access at 403-943-1920 (toll free 1-888-943-1920). At the same time, shortlist private residences and book tours. The assessment decides whether a publicly funded space is open to your mom; the tours tell you what the private options cost and feel like if it is not, or while you wait.

Step 1: Know which kind of “assisted living” you mean

In Calgary the phrase covers two different doors:

• Private assisted living or retirement residences. You choose the building, sign with the operator and pay the rent plus a care package. Many of these can be contacted directly.
• Publicly funded continuing care homes. Alberta Health Services now calls these Continuing Care Home Type B (formerly supportive living) and Type A (formerly long-term care). A space is offered only after an assessment, and the accommodation charge is set by the province (AHS).

Step 2: Ask for the assessment — who to call

Anyone can make the referral, a daughter or son included, as long as your mom agrees to it (AHS). You do not need a doctor's referral to ask.

A case manager will assess what help your mom needs. If her needs can be met at home, the answer may be publicly funded home care rather than a move — AHS charges no fee for professional or personal care services in home care.

Step 3: Build a private shortlist while you wait

Do not wait on the assessment to start looking. Use three sources side by side:

• Assisted living in Calgary and retirement communities in Calgary on ABSeniors — many retirement residences offer care packages, so check both lists.
• Alberta's own Assisted Living Navigation Portal, which lists licensed continuing care homes and supportive living accommodations.
• Your mom's doctor, and friends who have been through it in her part of the city.

Step 4: Price the rent and the care separately

Published studio rents inside Calgary run from about $2,789 to $3,895 a month before any care is added. Care is a separate tier, and that is where the bill moves. Ask each residence what your mom's care costs at her needs today and at the next level up. Our cost of senior care in Alberta guide has the sourced ranges and the province's current long-term-care charge.

Step 5: Tour three, and take the questions with you

Two buildings in the same city can differ by more than a thousand dollars a month for the same suite type, so three tours is the minimum. Bring our questions to ask on a tour, and when you have chosen, work through the moving checklist.

If it is memory care you need

Dementia changes the search: you need a secured setting and staff trained for it. Start with memory care first steps before you tour.

Phone numbers and program names were checked against Alberta Health Services and Alberta.ca on 6 October 2026. Alberta is moving continuing care to a new agency, Assisted Living Alberta, so confirm a number before you rely on it.