Adults approaching their senior years and those who are already older adults are invited to take place in an Alberta-wide initiative to help learn to age in a healthy way.
Healthy Aging Alberta Edmonton-Northwest regional community developer Amanda Harriman-Gojtan and Northern Alberta regional community developer Michael Procinsky say Regional Gatherings 2026 is about to kick off, and they’re excited to announce the April 23 session in Peace River.
“Healthy Aging Alberta (HAA) is a ‘by community, for community’ initiative working to make Alberta one of the best places to grow older,” explains Harriman-Gojtan.
“Our work is led by the Community Leadership Council, powered by United Way Calgary and Area, and generously supported by the Government of Alberta and Waltons Trust.”
She adds their team connects, strengthens, and amplifies a network of community-based seniors serving (CBSS) organizations, groups and community allies, supporting older adults to age on their terms and in the communities they call home.
“Regional Gatherings take place in five zones, North, Edmonton, Central, Calgary, and South, and are shaped by the people in each region,” explains Procinsky.
“No two gatherings look the same, because no two communities are the same.”
The Regional Gatherings were launched in 2020 and accelerated by the urgent needs of the pandemic, Healthy Aging Alberta quickly into a province-wide movement.
“What began as a response to gaps in coordination and support has rapidly expanded into a strong, connected network driving long-term change for older adults across Alberta,” explains Harriman-Gojtan.
“At their heart, Regional Gatherings are about showing up, listening, and building something together. We believe the people closest to the work are the experts. These events create space for that knowledge to be shared, valued, and celebrated together.”
The Peace River Regional Gathering will be held at Quality Inn and Suites at 9510 – 100 St. in Peace River from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“The North spans vast geography, long travel distances, smaller populations, and limited access to services,” notes Procinsky.
“In these communities, trust and relationships are built through showing up in person; consistently, and with humility. Hosting the North Regional Gathering signals our commitment and respect, and is part of our commitment to equity, accessibility, and reducing regional disparities.”
Regional Gatherings are open to Senior Centres and service clubs, community-based seniors-serving organizations, volunteers supporting older adults, caregivers or care partners, allied partners in health, housing, and community services, and older adults.
“Whether you’re part of a large organization or a small grassroots group, you belong here,” urges Harriman-Gojtan.
“This year, we’re intentionally strengthening our engagement with service clubs, such as the Royal Canadian Legion, Rotary, Lions, Kin Canada, as well as ethnocultural and faith based groups as key partners in supporting older adults.”
Procinsky says the Regional Gathering creates a space for northern communities to identify and share the strengths they already have, including strong relationships, local leadership, creative solutions, and deep knowledge of what supports healthy aging in rural and northern contexts.
“This gathering directly supports older adults by ensuring their voices, experiences, and needs guide the work of the community-based seniors serving sector,” Procinsky explains.
“By bringing older adults together with the organizations that support them, we create space to understand what matters most, from daily challenges to community strengths.”
This year’s gathering will provide interactive, practical workshops focused on building older adults’ natural supports, tools and activities you can take home and use in your own community, conversation-based learning as well as formal presentations, time to talk through real scenarios with people who understand your local context, and more space for networking and relationship-building.
The agenda includes Healthy Aging Alberta Update to Community, The Legacy Lab: Discovering Your Story & Strengths, a complimentary lunch, community spotlight, and Conversation Cafes.
“Each gathering is designed to help stitch together local knowledge, lived experience, and community strengths so no one is working in isolation, and everyone has something to contribute,” says Harriman- Gojtan.
“These gatherings are part of our ongoing commitment to build upon and advance the work of the CBSS sector through collective action, system change, and integration with allied sectors to benefit older adults.
“Our vision is that every older adult is empowered to age how they choose, ultimately improving their well-being and the well-being of their communities,” she adds.
Healthy Aging Alberta’s Regional Gatherings are funded by the Government of Alberta. The event must be registered for through Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/cc/regional-gatherings-1873369.
If you would like assistance to register, please contact one of the community developers, either Michael Procinsky at michael.procinsky @healthyagingalberta.ca or (780) 370-8887 or Amanda Harriman-Gojtan at amanda.harrimangojtan@healthyagingalberta.ca or (780) 887-7337.
Emily Plihal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter – South Peace News – southpeacenews.com
By Emily Plihal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Mar 18, 2026 at 11:20
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