news&views Autumn 2019 | Page 63

seniors’ complexes provide a good option for people who don’t want the responsibilities and worries of maintaining their own home. The best way to access this more independent seniors’ housing is to visit in person and apply. If you will be touring a seniors’ complex, go to orcaretirement. com/home-tour-checklist for a checklist that you could use to evaluate it. In addition, alberta. ca/affordable-housing- programs.aspx is a good link to help find partially or fully funded seniors’ housing in Alberta. For those who are experiencing many challenges managing day-to-day living without support, then perhaps a form of assisted living is the best choice. Assisted living communities vary depending upon services required, size of unit, type of residence, location, and even level of luxury. Often, they provide access to health- care professionals and assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, housekeeping and laundry, meal service, medication management, social and recreational activities, and transportation. For those individuals with high medical or mobility needs, your local health network is a good place to start to look for long-term care information. In Alberta, community and social services referrals (211) can put you in contact with the public system so that people who qualify can access subsidized homecare (visit ab.211.ca for availability). It is essential to think about the future and start considering choices that will help make life easier for each of us. No one option is perfect for everyone. If Spain is your choice, then you’d better start practising your Spanish conversational skills. If not, perhaps the information in this article will help you select an option that is best for you. ● C A LG A RY C O - O P E R AT I V E M E M O R I A L S O C I E T Y (CC M S ) CCMS is a non-profit member-owned co-operative. We arrange discounted funeral plans for our members in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, Strathmore, High River, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Taber, and surrounding areas. Our service providers are locally owned and operated. Members can save on average $2500 to $5000 on their funeral arrangements depending on the plan selected. Plans can be prepaid to lock in the price or can be paid at time of need. Since being founded in 1965, we have had more than 45,000 members. Membership ensures that your wishes for your final arrangements are respected and provides you with access to lower-priced plans for funeral services from our service providers. You can opt to enter your guidance information into our online registry for access by the funeral home upon need. This allows you to indicate your preferences at the time of death. It also provides your loved ones with important information they’ll need. The most important benefit is the peace of mind gained from knowing that, by putting your affairs in order now, you will be saving your next-of-kin some hasty and painful decisions involving a large amount of money at a time when they may be emotionally unprepared. YOU CAN PURCHASE A LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP FOR ONLY $40 PER ADULT. For more information visit calgarymemorial.com, or call the CCMS at 403-248-2044 or 1-800-566-9959. news&views AUTUMN 2019 | 63