Business View - October 2015 139
the Province of Alberta were repealed and replaced
by the Alberta Housing Act. The seniors housing indus-
try shifted dramatically, as did the structure and pur-
pose of the ASCHA. “ASCHA has significantly changed
because the industry and the sectors have changed,”
explains Martin-Lindsay. “Now we have a lot more vol-
untary, not-for-profit, and private sectors. We’ve ex-
panded our mandate to look at more than just lodges.
We look at independent living and supportive living.”
At the same time, the organization, which had been
run by volunteers for its first three decades, created
its first formal, full-time staff. The Association also
changed its name from the Alberta Senior Citizens’
Homes Association to the Alberta Senior Citizens’
Housing Association in 1996. Today, the change to
Alberta Seniors Communities and Housing Associa-
tion is meant to embrace one of ASCHA’s key philoso-
phies, that of “Aging in Community,” where seniors live
in age-friendly communities that provide integrated,
person-centered services and supports for an optimal
quality of life.
The ASCHA represents over 30,000 seniors in Alberta,
via its 100 member organizations. A regular member
can be any congregate living setting that serves four
AT A GLANCE
WHO:
The Alberta Senior Citizens’ Homes
Association
WHAT:
An advocacy and trade association rep-
resenting the seniors housing industry in Alberta
WHERE:
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
WEBSITE
:
HEALTHCARE
