Senior Alliance Initiative Case Study

The Senior Alliance Initiative is a non-profit organization designed to help improve the quality of life for senior citizens and integrate seniors into the community. The program will originate in Manitoba’s rural communities where there is often a shortage of close resources such as food, toiletries, and health services. As of 2011, 20.3% of Manitobans over the age of 65+ live in rural communities which means approximately one in five senior-aged Manitobans are not able to receive the help they need without aid from family/friends, home care, or a senior care home. (Univeristy of Manitoba, 2016) Often these resources are not available or are unreasonable due to:
- Friends and family often can’t afford to miss work and do not have the extra

time to take care of seniors
- Private home care may be expensive for families
- Senior care homes prevent integration into the community by secluding seniors from the rest of society
The Senior Alliance Initiative plans to create solutions for such problems by…
- Creating programming designed to involve seniors in community initiatives
- Providing funding for families unable to care for their parents/grandparents due to money constraints
- Designing homes and communities in rural areas with continual support from volunteers to aid in transportation to appointments, medicine administration, meal preparation, and housework
The programming is designed to encourage citizens of all ages and skills to participate in activities and events to increase senior involvement and inclusion within rural communities.
Examples of programming include:
- Bringing seniors into schools and daycares to share their skills and interests with the youngest generation (examples include music classes, art classes, and reading clubs)
- Creating accessible jobs for seniors such as teaching and/or providing support at educational institutions, part-time entry level jobs such as a cashier or a fast food worker, and jobs as an administrative support worker
- Weekly fitness classes designed to incorporate the health and well-being of all individuals
Integrating seniors back into the community will help both the community and the seniors. Senior citizens will be able to participate in the job market as well as shape the lives of younger generations. It is important for communities to show their respect to those who built up the community in which they live.