www.findingbalancealberta.ca/

Welcome to Finding Balance Alberta. This website is dedicated to helping seniors prevent a fall before it happens so they can stay active and independent.

Anyone can fall, but as you age the risk increases. Falls are the leading cause of serious injuries in older adults. Every year, 1 in 3 Alberta seniors will fall. The good news is that you can take steps to prevent falls.

• Check your Medication
• Keep Active
• Watch Your Step

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NEW! In an effort to prevent falls while Alberta is still in the icy grip of winter, below is a list of communities from across Alberta who have initiated a Seniors Snow Removal Program:

• Blackfalds - Snow Removal Program for Seniors was developed by the town of Blackfalds to assist seniors during the winter months. Please call Andrea at 403-885-6247 for more information or provide your name, phone number and address and a volunteer from the local Optimist Club will come and shovel your walkway and sidewalk.

• Calgary - With the first snowfall of winter come challenges for some Calgarians to keep their sidewalks clear and avoid falls. Calgary's older adults in particular need extra help in the winter, keeping their sidewalks shovelled, ice-free and safe. Snow Angels is a campaign that encourages Calgarians to be good neighbours and help older adults, and other neighbours in need, with snow removal this winter. It is not a snow clearing program for older adults. For more information, please contact the City of Calgary.

• Chestermere - has an Everyday Angels program that works at connecting seniors with a registered Everyday Angel in their neighbourhood. Some of the Everyday Angels roles include: shoveling a driveway or sidewalk; mowing a lawn; raking a front or backyard; assisting in small repairs around the house and taking the time to call and check in on neighbours to see if they are doing well. Chestermere also has an Independent Living Program aimed at helping seniors pick up groceries, perform home and yard maintenance, foot clinic information, home visitation and reading material delivery. Please contact Community Services at 403-207-7060 to find out more.

• Edmonton - the Edmonton Snow Angels program helps seniors during the winter months to remove snow from walks and drive ways. The program is unable to match volunteers and seniors, however, if you are a senior and would like to know which organizations provide shoveling services for seniors visit http://www.edmonton.ca or call the City of Edmonton at 311. Edmonton has also developed the Driving Angels Edmonton program that helps seniors to pick up groceries, visit a friend, the doctor’s office, other places they wish to go. For more information, please visit: http://www.seniorscouncil.net.

• Fort Saskatchewan - has implemented a Volunteer Snow Removal Program for seniors.  The program matches volunteers with a senior(s) for the entire season.  There is no charge to the seniors for the service. Please call 780-992-6267 or drop by the Community Services office at 10005 100 Ave to obtain an application form.

• Grimshaw - has two Community Services Programs aimed at seniors. The Steady As You Go Program is geared specifically for senior citizens to increase strength, flexibility and balance. The Seniors Snow Removal Service is a program provided by the combined efforts of Community Services Department, the Town of Grimshaw and the Peace River Correctional Center.  This program is intended for senior citizens who: are unable to physically shovel the snow; have no financial means to have this service done at their residence; and have no family members or friends who are able to assist with their snow removal. Please call the Town office at 780-332-4626 and ask for Community Services.

• Lac La Biche County - has a policy in place which allows seniors to register for snow clearing  services.  The service is advertised in the local paper. The senior’s registration is to include the name, age, address and phone number of the owner or occupant of the residence for which snow is to be cleared. The county has contracted with community and non-profit organizations to provide the service for a set fee which is paid by the county. The community groups are to provide the service after each snow event. Please call 780-623-2221 for more information.

• Wood Buffalo Regional Municipality - has a Snow Angel pilot program that partners with a Fort McMurray elementary and high school to provide volunteer snow removal services for seniors.  For more information, please contact our Seniors Coordinator Steve Andrejiw at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and 780-799-8673, or please call Lorraine Demers  at 780-788-8011.