Seniors

Are you or someone you love over 55 years old? There are legal issues of particular concern to older adults or seniors.

Gathered on this page are resources that were developed with you in mind. But there may be general resources that are also appropriate.

See the section Learn More About...or search the list of all legal topics to find other relevant information.


CPLEA Suggested Resources

Not sure where to begin finding answers to your questions. Get started with our suggested resources. See additional resources below for more information.

Alberta Supports can help you access more than 30 programs and 120 community services for:

  • seniors
  • employment
  • homelessness
  • financial needs
  • children and youth
  • parents and families
  • people with disabilities
  • guardianship and trusteeship
  • abuse, bullying and family violence prevention

You can apply online or call for assistance. Help is available in more than 100 languages.

Related legal topic(s): Bullying, Disabilities, Elder abuse, Guardianship and trusteeship, Homelessness, Loss of employment, Wills and estates

This booklet produced by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta explains what is involved in being a Personal Representative. It is divided into two sections:  a question and answer section that looks at issues to consider before you accept the job as well as common questions and examples; and a checklist section that helps guide you when the testator—the person who made the Will—dies. This booklet gives general information only, not legal advice. It is not a do-it-yourself guide. This 20 page PDF is available for free download.

Related legal topic(s): Wills and estates

This booklet produced by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta is for people who have been asked to be an Agent under someone’s Personal Directive. It explains what is involved in being an Agent. There are two sections: a question and answer section that covers issues to consider before you accept the job as well as common questions and examples; and a checklist section that helps guide you when the Personal Directive comes into effect. This booklet gives general information only, not legal advice. It is not a do-it-yourself guide. This 20 page PDF is available for free download.

Related legal topic(s): Wills and estates

This booklet produced by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta is for people who have been asked to be an Attorney under someone’s Enduring Power of Attorney. It explains what is involved in being an Attorney. There are two sections: a question and answer section touching on issues to consider beforeyou accept the job as well as common questions and examples; and a checklist section that helps guide you when the donor—the person who gave you Power of Attorney—loses capacity. This booklet gives general information only, not legal advice. It is not a do-it-yourself guide. This 16 page PDF is available for free download.

Related legal topic(s): Wills and estates

The world of dating is different than it used to be, this booklet provides important information about legal issues related to new relationships. This booklet is produced by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta.

Related legal topic(s): Family law general resources

This booklet produced by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta is for people who are wondering if they should write a Power of Attorney. It is about putting your affairs in order and planning for the future. It explains what is involved in making a Power of Attorney and how a Power of Attorney can help you to look after your current and future financial affairs. It describes some common examples.  This 16 page PDF is available for free download.

Related legal topic(s): Wills and estates

These two online tutorials were created by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta. The first covers making a report to the police; what will they do; and what you may have to do. The second explains what else may happen for the accused.

Related legal topic(s): Criminal law general resources, Elder abuse, Family violence general resources, Legal process, Police

This booklet is a publication of the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta. It provides general information on life leases. A life lease agreement occurs when a person buys the exclusive right to occupy a unit in a particular development for life, a fixed term or until the person can no longer live independently within the unit.

Related legal topic(s):

This booklet produced by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta is for people who are wondering if they should write a Personal Directive. It is about putting your affairs in order and planning for the future. It explains what is involved in making a Personal Directive and how a Personal Directive can help you to look after your future personal (non-financial) needs. It describes some common examples. This 16 page PDF is available for free download.

Related legal topic(s): Guardianship and trusteeship, Wills and estates

This booklet produced by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta is for people who are wondering if they should write a Will. It explains what is involved in making a Will. The purpose of writing a Will is to pass on your belongings to your loved ones according to your wishes and with as few problems as possible. If you die without a Will, it’s often more costly, complicated, and time-consuming to settle your estate, and this booklet describes some common examples. This 24 page PDF is available for free download.

Related legal topic(s): Wills and estates

Alberta Resources

This website of the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA) focuses on how Canadian law protects and affects older adults. Topic areas covered include elder abuse, planning for the future, personal and family relationships, and various other issues (e.g. consumer, travel).

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud, Elder abuse, Family law general resources, Guardianship and trusteeship, Wills and estates

The Alberta Council on Aging (ACA) is a registered charity with more than 4000 individual members and 400 seniors' groups and agencies as organizational members. The ACA is Alberta's only provincial non-government umbrella organization representing seniors. Their mission is to maintain or improve the quality of life for seniors and encourage their full participation in all aspects of society.

Related legal topic(s): Research reports and institutes

The Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Network is a province-wide network of professionals dedicated to increasing community awareness around elder abuse and the resources available to address it. The network is comprised of representatives from communities across Alberta.

Related legal topic(s): Elder abuse

The main functions of the Alberta Office of the Seniors Advocate are to provide resolution support to senior Albertans and their families. They provide information and links to government and/or community programs and services. The Office also provides policy advice and makes recommendations to the Government of Alberta to improve senior services and programs.
Related legal topic(s): Advocacy

The Alberta Seniors and Community Supports department provides information about financial, health-related, and protective services for seniors. This webpage lists the contact information for regional offices. Or call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre Toll-free in Alberta: 1-877-644-9992, Monday to Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Related legal topic(s): Elder abuse, Health issues, Supportive living and seniors’ housing

 The Alberta Supports Contact Centre is a new contact centre for general inquiries on income support, adult health benefits, child health benefits, child support services, and Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped. Advisors are available to provide general information on these programs and services, make referrals to community agencies and other government programs.

Related legal topic(s): Child support, Health issues

CSRS Outreach Workers assist seniors with pensions and benefits, housing and home care support, or personal/family crisis. Other programs include Escorted Transportation, Assited Shopping and Friendly Visiting.

Related legal topic(s): Elder abuse, Supportive living and seniors’ housing, Wills and estates

Citizen Watch has been created as a public service for the people of Alberta. It is the work of an ever-widening network of individuals from across the province, including families and friends of long term care and assisted or supportive living residents and those requiring long term care supports in their own homes. The service will watch and to report to the public the results of any analysis of information they receive from recipients of continuing care services and their families indicating whether they are better or worse off for actions taken by the Alberta government on the province’s continuing care system.
Related legal topic(s): Health issues, Supportive living and seniors’ housing

This webpage of Alberta Seniors and Community Supports provides links to all the department programs and services relevant to people with disabilities.

Related legal topic(s): Disabilities

Elder abuse isn't just physical, it can also be sexual, emotional, and financial. These FAQs and booklet provide information on what elder abuse is, how to recognize different forms of elder abuse and what to do about it.
Related legal topic(s): Elder abuse

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