One Year In, Banff’s Home Support Program Is Filling a Critical Gap

When Banff approved its Age-Friendly Action Plan several years ago, one message from residents came through clearly: most older adults wanted to stay in their homes as long as possible, but many needed support that fell outside traditional medical care. The Town’s 2021 Seniors Housing Survey reinforced the point. The high majority of seniors said they were satisfied with their housing and hoped to age in place rather than move into assisted living.

Just over a year into the Town of Banff’s Home Support Program, the early results show how quickly that gap in services is being filled.

The program, launched in October 2024 with funding from the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation, provides non-medical help such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, errands and social connection. It runs five days a week from Friday to Tuesday and is intentionally structured to include weekends, when isolation can often peak. A typical week now includes 16 to 19 clients, and visits range from chopping vegetables to vacuuming to playing bridge or working on puzzles.

“We have been operational for over a year now, and a typical visit looks different for every client,” said Shawn Carr, Manager of FCSS and Social Programs for the Town of Banff. “This program provides light housekeeping, meal preparation and companionship.”

Filling a gap between health care and daily life

While Alberta Health Services provides medical home care, Banff identified a large gap between what medical teams offer and the practical supports many residents needed to remain independent.

“Home Care could support people with their medical needs at home, but who could help with garbage and recycling, dishes or companionship?” Carr said. “That is where the Home Support Program steps in.”

Since its launch, the program has supported 31 unique clients, including six couples. Most are older adults, with a smaller number of post-surgical clients who use the program short term until they regain independence. Over the past year, staff have delivered approximately 816 hours of support. That number began with slow, careful intakes and has climbed steadily as awareness and demand grew.

The intake process requires a self-referral followed by an in-home visit, a safety checklist, a discussion on expectations and a getting-to-know-you form. Only then is a client added to the schedule. “This gradual climb of steady intakes in the first few months took some time to build up to a current full roster,” Carr said.

Affordability and the role of subsidies

The program costs $25 per hour, with subsidies tied to the Banff Access Program. Of the 25 paying clients so far, 60% pay the full rate, while 36% receive a 50% subsidy, and 4% receive a 25% subsidy. Although subsidies are available, Carr said the demand is not limited to clients with lower incomes. “What we are seeing is a demand for service for all older adults and not necessarily linked to those on our affordability programs.”

The program exists because of a grant from the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation. The foundation contributed $45,000 to launch the Home Support Program, which covers staffing and program operations for non-medical support. The foundation is a Banff-based philanthropic group funded through profits from several local tourism businesses, and it focuses on improving community wellbeing, education and active living in the Bow Valley.

“The foundation supports projects that promote active lifestyles, enhance education opportunities and nurture strong connections within our community,” Carr said. “As long as there is demand and need for this program, we are hopeful that the foundation will continue to support this initiative, as it directly contributes to making the Bow Valley a great place to live.”

The deeper impact: reduced isolation and stronger independence

Many of the most meaningful effects happen beyond the household tasks. Carr noted that “this program is not a housekeeping service. It is a trusted and supportive program that builds relationships.” She said clients credit the program with reducing falls risk by helping declutter homes, supporting spouses caring for loved ones with chronic illness and providing confidence for residents to use the Mobility Bus for errands.

Social connection has become a central feature of the program. Some clients receive multiple visits a week, creating reliable points of contact for older adults who might otherwise go long stretches without seeing anyone.

One family member described the difference it made:

“Social contact is important to everyone's physical and mental health, especially seniors. In my mom's weekly visits with the Home Support Worker she has been able to share memories by looking through old photo albums as well as learning something new, origami!”

Aging in place and what it means for Banff

“Aging in place, or aging in community, refers to an aging person being able to thrive in their home environments with support through health and social services,” Carr said. For Banff, it means long-time residents can remain active, present and connected to the community they helped shape.

Carr said the benefits reach far beyond the seniors themselves. When more older adults are able to remain in their homes, they maintain independence longer, stay healthier and continue participating in recreation, community events and volunteering. Parks, facilities and programs also see greater use, and intergenerational ties become stronger.

Ultimately, the program is becoming exactly what the Age-Friendly Action Plan intended. It is a bridge that allows older adults to stay rooted in their community by offering the everyday support that makes independent living possible.

“It has truly impacted their lives,” Carr said. “This program has been essential in the lives of their loved ones.”