The Calgary pilot project will see seniors, students living in the same building

A pilot project in Calgary brings seniors and students together to live under one roof.

The new intergenerational living system for Silvera For Seniors comes after a year and a half of planning and could be a sign of things to come in Calgary.

“I've seen what's happening to seniors after COVID, the social isolation, the loneliness,” says Bonita Puckett, founder of the Canadian Alliance for Intergenerational Living. I thought, “Why not combine the two and see what's happening in other countries.”

Supporters of the program say it would guarantee the care facility a tenant for the next eight months and provide affordable housing for students. It also requires students to do residential programming.

“I see this as a future model for other buildings we have,” says Olivia Chubey, Silvera's chief service operator. “I want this to be a blueprint for our future.”

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To be accepted, students must write an essay that identifies their interests and values. Once accepted, they must provide 30 hours of volunteer time each month.

“So they will be involved in our programming going forward,” says Gayle Ellis, Silvera's advisor.

Shannon Penner, a psychology student at Mount Royal University, is one of two students accepted into the pilot program and lives at Westview Town Suites in the southwest part of the city.

“I think this relationship will be like a friendship,” he says, “making new friends and getting to know them, and hopefully we'll still be in touch when this project is over.”

Penner doesn't know what will happen when the pilot ends, but she hopes she can stay home.

Some critics of intergenerational living programs say there are concerns about affordability for seniors. Puckett says that the pilot will not take the rooms that are empty.

“These rooms are actually empty spaces in senior residences,” he says.

Current residents tell CityNews they don't mind sharing their space with some younger tenants.

“They make us look younger,” says one of the residents.

“They know a lot more about the world today than I do,” says another. “They could learn a few wise things from me.”