Calgary to end home services program for seniors, affecting 1,320 low-income residents

Calgary's Home Services for Seniors program will end on Sept. 30, affecting about 1,320 low-income seniors who rely on free lawn care, snow removal and housekeeping services.

The city says the provincially funded program has become too costly to administer. Affected clients will be referred to the Alberta government's Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program for support.

However, some seniors may lose access to assistance because the provincial program has stricter income eligibility requirements and often requires recipients to pay upfront before being reimbursed.

Eighty-six-year-old Lorraine Barton said she fears she may have to sell her home after being told her income is too high to qualify for provincial assistance.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas criticized the provincial government for reducing support for seniors but said the city cannot take on responsibilities that fall under the province.

The Alberta government said the decision to end the program was made by Calgary city council. It said it will work with the city to help affected seniors transition to available provincial supports.