Calgary's only elder abuse shelter at full capacity, turning away hundreds

Calgary's first and only shelter for seniors fleeing abuse — the Kerby Centre elder abuse shelter — is at maximum capacity and turning away new clients seeking refuge as the holiday season approaches.

The nine-bed shelter is always full, says shelter manager Mari-Anne Godlonton, but the need for it typically grows over the holidays as families experience more stress and conflict.

And it's happening during a year when elder abuse seems to be on the rise.

"There's definitely been an increase," said Godlonton. "There's been an increase of callers calling the crisis line. There's been an increase of individuals looking for shelter."

Elder abuse is real, says Godlonton, and there are many vulnerable elders in Alberta who are suffering.

She says many seniors face physical, emotional and mental abuse. Most common of all, she says, is financial abuse — usually from a loved one or a family member.

"It happens in their own homes. It happens with their family or friends."

Godlonton says she has noticed people seeking shelter in Calgary from rural Alberta and other provinces lately. While she isn't sure why, she guesses it's because other provinces might not have the same resources as Alberta.

At the Kerby Centre elder abuse shelter, each resident gets their own room, bed, desk and chair — for a stay of up to 90 days.

At least 300 seniors turned away each year 

Larry Mathieson, CEO of Unison at the Kerby Centre, says the bottom line is that there are more seniors seeking help from abuse than there are beds in the city.

"The reality is each year for the last three years, we've turned away at least 300 seniors a year because we don't have a bed when they need one."

It's an issue that goes beyond Calgary.

According to new data from the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters, 11,546 women and seniors have been turned away from shelters from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, due to shelters being at physical capacity.

That's compared to 69 older adults who were admitted to senior shelters during that time.

Mathieson says he expects the issue to persist, especially as Calgary's population continues to age, and points to the Kerby Centre's elder abuse resource line, which can be reached at 403-705-3250.