An Examination of Best Practice in Multi-Service Senior Centres

Abstract

Since 1976, the Kerby Centre has provided a one-stop-shop for educational, social, wellness, and recreational services and supports for Calgary’s seniors, with the vision of “a happy, healthy senior population.” With plans to relocate its programs and services to a new facility to better serve older Calgarians, the Kerby Centre sought information regarding best practice models in multi-service senior centres. The Kerby Centre contracted the Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family to conduct a best practice literature review and environmental scan of best practice models for multipurpose senior centres. It is expected that this report will aid the Kerby Centre in future planning with regard to the new facility. The purpose of this project was to examine emerging trends and best practices (e.g., commonly implemented and/or innovative practices) for multi-purpose senior centres in other jurisdictions. Specifically, this project had the following objectives: (1) To determine key facility/amenity components for an ideal multi-purpose senior centre; (2) To determine key programs for an ideal multi-purpose senior centre; (3) Recommend strategic partnerships that could better position senior centres for success; and (4) Develop five to seven profiles of leading-edge multi-purpose senior centres as recommended targets for further investigation.