020 promises to be an active and important year for Silvera as we continue to meet the changing

needs of residents and adjust to less funding by governments, both provin-cial and municipal.

I’m confident we will rise to the chal-lenges as a team and find innovative ways to keep costs low while staying ready to meet future demand for seniors housing and services.

With this positive, can-do approach in mind, I want to share key messages I am delivering to all stakeholders. I encourage you to use them too, with your friends and families.

The main ideas

Money is tight. Demand is growing. Silvera will innovate more with govern-ments and other partners. We have the team that can do this well.

The trends are stark

The needs of seniors for affordable housing and relevant services are growing like never before.

y Today, 1 in 10 Calgarians is 65 or older. In a dozen years, it will be 1 in 5.

y Today’s seniors are living longer than any previous generation. Their health difficulties are more complicated.

y We all need to change historical approaches to housing, services and care.

2 The impacts are widespread

These realities affect all of us. Each of us either knows a senior, is one already, or hopes to become one. Our whole community needs to respect seniors more—especially those with low incomes—and find better ways to meet their essential housing needs.

Here are some suggestions

1. Divert provincial healthcare dollars from expensive hospitals and high-care facilities, and invest more wisely in lower-cost, supportive living communities. Begin by redi-recting existing health funding to overnight home care in supportive living (lodge) communities.

2. Advance capital growth for new, affordable housing, by investing in Silvera’s Glamorgan Campus to build more Independent Living/mix use housing; and

3. Make more efficient use of existing government-owned, Silvera-oper-ated communities by leveraging the capital, so we can reinvest in development in Calgary.

Calgarians/Albertans can fix problems

Once we recognise something is broken, we repair it together. If anyone can show greater respect for vulnerable seniors by ensuring they have afford-able housing, it is us.

As part of this collective effort, Silvera will:

y work collaboratively with existing and new partners;

y continue to stretch every dollar we spend;

y grow our portfolio while reducing unit costs; and

y help residents and employees live their best lives.

Silvera is also expanding our market and adopting a mixed-rent model in some situations.

Do something helpful! y To governments: continue to invest in the proper maintenance of existing communities and the construction of new ones.

y To organizations: partner with Silvera in new ways.

y To everyone: − Use your own situation to better understand the needs of seniors.

− Find your voice and advocate for solutions.

− Consider volunteering, donating, working or making your home with us.

Please, find ways to spread these messages. They have never been more important.

Arlene

January 2020Issue 25

Inside SilveraLet’s all advocate for seniors in 2020

Inside SilveraPage 2

In addition to reduced government investment, Silvera is impacted by expenses outside our control.

“The cost of living is always increasing,” says Barbara. “Everything from food and transportation costs, to the minimum wage adjustment in Alberta, impacts our operations. This new method of calculating rents and fees will enable us to better account for future market fluctuations.”

The procedure for calculating 2020 rent for residents in our independent living communities did not change. Those res-idents’ rent is calculated at 30 per cent of their income.

Willow Park on the Bow rent rates are calculated to be below commercial market rent rates in Calgary.

Westview rents are not changing this year due to the renovations currently underway at that community.

Silvera introduces new rent and fee structure

A fter a thorough review, including a province-wide comparison with other similar organizations,

Silvera has established a new approach to rents and service fees for resi-dents in communities with enhanced services.

The new approach to calculating rents and fees, which took effect Jan. 1, 2020, makes rents and fees more equitable, transparent and easier to understand.

The biggest change is that rents and fees are now calculated and shown separately, making it easier for resi-dents to understand the charges.

Rents are based on income, plus variable rate fees for the service package offered at each community. These service packages account for the range of amenities and services at each community.

“In our annual resident surveys, a few residents consistently ask us to provide a fairer, more transparent way of calculating rents,” says Barbara Hagen, Senior Manager, Service and Opera-tions. “This new model makes rates more equitable across the board.”

When Silvera’s Occupancy Working Group examined rent levels under the old fee structure, their approach was guided by the principles of fairness and transparency. The group canvassed other seniors housing providers to determine how rents and fees are cal-culated provincially.

Once the group settled on a struc-ture that made sense for Silvera, they

consulted with residents about the proposed changes, who agreed the new service package pricing is more transparent and understandable.

Additionally, the new pricing will make it easier for prospective residents to match their income to the communities with service packages in their price range.

As a result of the new approach, rents generally increased, though a few residents have seen a decrease in their rent.

“We aim to keep increases as low as possible to minimize financial hardship on residents,” says Barbara. “We did not raise rents in 2019 while we con-ducted our review, but with The City of Calgary reducing its funding going forward, we need our rent structure to cover more of rising operating costs.”

Inside Silvera Page 3

respectful and helpful. She said the community she was at was well main-tained and tidy.

“I guess you just never know who’s noticing the good work employees do every day with their colleagues and residents,” says Nadine.

The donation has not yet been desig-nated for use in a particular area, but Nadine says it will be used to improve the quality of life of residents and increase programming.

Volunteers help residents celebrate

On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, Silvera hosted employees from Pembina, Shell, CNRL, DHR International, Orlen Upstream and United Way for Days of Caring at our communities of Bow Valley, Valleyview, Shouldice, Aspen, Spruce and Confederation Park. These groups provided Christmas cheer and helped kick off the holiday season by ‘decking the halls’.

“Our amazing volunteers touch all parts of our organization,” says Nadine. “They give residents their time, which helps residents feel seen, heard and appreci-ated.”

Employees inspire donors and volunteers

T his past holiday season, Silvera was the fortunate beneficiary of some sincere kindness from

Calgarians. From the hours and energy donated by our volunteers, to the much-appreciated cash donations that came in from donors, Silvera residents and employees were the lucky recipi-ents of Calgary’s generosity.

“That we receive time, money and energy from so many people says a lot about our organization’s excellent repu-tation,” says Nadine Maillot, Manager, Community Engagement.

Employees prompt major donation

Our reputation is exactly why we received a significant donation in early December.

One ordinary Monday morning, an anonymous donor stopped by our admin office with a personal cheque for $100,000. It was an unexpected, and very welcome, early Christmas gift.

The donor was at one of our commu-nities last fall and took note of our employees and how they interacted with residents. She told Nadine she thought our employees were friendly,

Altalink brought 17 volunteers to join residents for the December Bowling League outing, and Trace Associates Inc. employees washed walkers and shared treats with Westview residents the week before Christmas.

Countless community groups, schools and Girl Guide troops dropped by throughout the season.

Silvera was also thrilled to be part of the Enmax Big Give this year. Enmax employees ‘adopted’ a number of res-idents, providing them with gifts, and hosted employees and residents at the Dave Kelly Live Christmas show.

Nadine is grateful for the Silvera employees who work in tandem with volunteers, helping to coordinate and accommodate them.

“Employees’ special efforts enable us to bring in these volunteers to enrich the lives of residents,” says Nadine.

“Many thanks for making this not just a job, but for spending your days with us, making magic happen behind the scenes.”

Volunteers from a number of companies helped residents kick off the holiday season at many of our communities.

Inside SilveraPage 4

ocial media is a powerful tool to raise awareness and have conversations about important

issues. Many of these discussions take place on Twitter.

Twitter, the social networking platform that allows users to send short messages, or tweets, has more than 330 million users and half a million tweets sent daily, according to ecom-merce marketplace Oberlo. Twitter is one of the most popular social media

Advocate for Calgary seniors on Twitter

S platforms, especially with people ages 35 to 65.

Silvera has been active on Twitter for nearly a decade. We use our Twitter platform to share corporate news, support partners and associations by retweeting their content and connect-ing with members of the media as well as government officials.

Our Twitter activity is part of our overall strategy to be a leading advocate for Calgary seniors.

Social media platforms allow us to share information from like-minded associations and community partners.

We use Twitter to:

y Demonstrate our commitment to ongoing learning and professional development;

y Celebrate special provincial, national and global days and advocate for affordable housing;

y Thank donors and volunteers; y And more.

If you are a Twitter user, follow us @Silvera4Seniors! If you are interested in helping to increase awareness about our communities, our work and our commitment to making it great to be a senior in Calgary, here a few things you can do:

y Share and like our content. y Share and like the content of partner agencies, associations and organizations. y Follow organizations, media outlets and reporters, influencers and officials who are focused on seniors’ issues. y Notify Communications and Marketing (kim@aimcommunications.ca) when you are participating in community events, professional development opportunities and conferences. Take photos and provide us with some content. We will happily share this information!

If you have any questions about Twitter or any of our social media platforms, contact Bonnie Elgie, our social media manager, at bonnie@bonnieelgie-pr.com.

Silvera uses Twitter to demonstrate our leadership as a voice and advocate for important issues impacting seniors.

Inside Silvera Page 5

s part of recognition activities at Silvera, here’s a listing of each employee who received values-based recognition cards in the last quarter of 2019. The top

two values most commonly recognized were:

Bravo! 74 employees recognized in Q4 2019

AAdam Guimond (2) Teamwork, Service, Creating Homes,

Making a DifferenceAgustin Jr. Gamayao Teamwork, ServiceAlex Lin Teamwork, Making a DifferenceAngela Elter TeamworkAtsede Abay Teamwork, RespectCarole Mulgrew Creating HomesCarolyn MacEachern TeamworkCeclia Valdez Teamwork, ServiceChandrani Widanagedara Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceCindy O’Brien Teamwork, Making a DifferenceCynthia Lazzarotto Teamwork, Making a DifferenceDaniela Stuleanec (2) Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceDavid Dunn (2) Service, Respect, Teamwork, Safety,

Creating Homes, Making a Difference David Hardin Teamwork, Making a DifferenceDwayne Merrett (3) TeamworkElaisa Escalona Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceEleanor Packham TeamworkElena Stef Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceElizabeth Fyhn TeamworkEmily Rohel Teamwork, Making a DifferenceErlita Avendano Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceEva Aldos TeamworkFeren Welday Teamwork, RespectFlora Baracinas TeamworkHadra Mohamed TeamworkHeather Carr Service and SafetyHiroko Swallow Making a DifferenceJaeryl Guevarra (2) Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceJasmin Gallardo (2) TeamworkJennifer Bisson TeamworkJennifer Wade TeamworkJessica Rivera (2) Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceJilly Kiyawasew Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceKalsen Abdullai Service, TeamworkKaren Walker TeamworkKathleen Combalicer TeamworkKathy Secord Teamwork

Kidst Haylu (2) Service, Respect, Teamwork, Creating Homes, Making a Difference

Kim Pham Creating Homes, Service, Making a Difference

Kimberly Lacoursiere TeamworkLaila Hussein TeamworkLida Hapin Teamwork, SafetyLois Dougan TeamworkLorna Rendon (2) TeamworkLourdes Albadawi Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceLydiah Kihu Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceMargeritte Mwanza TeamworkMaria Panganiban TeamworkMarilou Bais TeamworkMark Majetic Making a DifferenceMary Lazzarotto (2) Service, Teamwork, Making a DifferenceMelgrace Estayo TeamworkMichael Peters (2) Service, TeamworkMonica Bachman Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceNajat Hassan Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceNieves Phillips Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceNyabile Deng Chol TeamworkPeter Lawrence Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferencePetley Bonas TeamworkPriya Namboodiri TeamworkRachael Lusk TeamworkRiza Pangiliana ServiceRosalie Bulayong (3) Teamwork, Creating Homes, Making a

DifferenceRoselyn Villasor (2) Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceSamrawit Desta Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceSenayet Kebede Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceShirla Elliot Teamwork, Making a DifferenceSozana Richards Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceTatiana Alexandre Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceTeresa Abucejo (2) Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceTessa St. Marie Teamwork, Service, Making a DifferenceWendy Swallow Teamwork, Making a DifferenceWenefreda Baquir Service, TeamworkYves Ruest Respect

y Teamwork, which emphasizes collaboration and account-ability among work colleagues, and

y Making a Difference, which indicates how important and meaningful it is to have positive and caring interaction with teammates and residents.

Inside SilveraPage 6

t’s a new year for benefits coverage. Silvera’s benefit year runs from Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, which

means that the maximums for our extended healthcare and dental benefits reset on Jan. 1.

Confirm your coverage

You can easily find out your coverage and your annual maximums by access-ing the Sun Life website or the mobile app. From there, you may review your claims submissions, how much coverage you have used, and find out when coverage will be available for

Benefacts: Benefits maximums resetyour next dental check-up or eye exam.

You can also call into the Sun Life customer care line for information on your remaining annual coverage.

Your Healthcare Spending Account

You also received your 2020 Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) credits on Jan. 1, 2020. Any unused 2018 HSA credits were cancelled and forfeited on Jan. 1, 2020. Any unused 2019 HSA credits will carry forward to 2020 and these 2019 credits must be used by Dec. 31, 2020 or else you will lose them. For

I questions regarding your coverage with Sun Life, please contact the Sun Life Customer Care Centre:

Phone: 1-800-361-6212 Website: www.mysunlife.ca

ilvera has a wise volunteer Board of Directors, which guides the long-term strategic direction

of our organization; monitors risks and progress towards the future; and approves budgets, major investments and financial reports.

Silvera’s Board of Directors shines

S The board consists of volunteer com-munity leaders with rich experience in business, law, other community-minded organizations, university-level education and municipal government.

The Silvera board is a governance board, because it doesn’t get involved

in Silvera’s day-to-day operations. Rather, board members leave that to Silvera’s able leadership and manage-ment teams and, ultimately, to the skilled and caring Silvera employee team.

In a December 2019 ceremony, Rob Easson (l) became the new Chair of Silvera’s Board of Directors following service by Kelly Ogle (c).

Silvera’s governance board consists of energetic and experienced community leaders with a mix of backgrounds and strengths. Joining Arlene (front row, l-r) are Sue Frerichs, Thao Nguyen, Judy MacLachlan, Janice Cullen; (back row l-r) Doug Ng, Al Duerr, Rob Easson, Bruce Irvine, and Kelly Ogle. Missing from photo is Dr. Lorraine Venturato.

Inside Silvera Page 7

t the beginning of the year, new contribution rates and maximum contributions came into effect, as you will see on your regular pay report.

New year means new rates for CPP, EI and pension plans

New Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

Canada Revenue Agency announced that the maximum pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan for 2020 will be $58,700, up from $57,400 in 2019.

AThe basic exemption amount for 2020 remains at $3,500. Employee and employer CPP contribution rates for 2020 will be 5.25%, up from 5.1% in 2019.

The maximum employer and employee contribution to the CPP for 2020 will be $2,898 each, up from $2,748.90 and $5,497.80, respectively.

Employment Insurance (EI)

The Canada Employment Insurance Commission announced the 2020 Employment Insurance premium rate will be $1.58 per $100 of insurable

earnings— a decrease of 4 cents for employees compared to the 2019 rate.

The Maximum Insurable Earnings (MIE) for 2020 will increase to $54,200 from $53,100 in 2019. The maximum

annual EI contribution for a worker will decrease by $3.86 to $856.36.

Local Authority Pension Plan (LAPP)

The LAPP Board announced that the 2020 contribution rates remain unchanged, however the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings will increase to $58,700, up from $57,400 in 2019.

Manulife Registered Pension Plan (RPP)

The maximum employer match RPP contribution for 2020 remains at 5% of the employee’s base earnings. Canada Revenue Agency says the annual money purchase RPP contribution maximum

for 2020 is $27,830, up from $27,230 in 2019.

If you have any questions, please contact payroll@silvera.ca.

YearMaximum annual

pensionable earningsBasic exemption

amountEmployee and employer

contribution rate (%)

Maximum annual employee and employer

contribution

2020 $58,700 $3,500 5.25 $2,898.00

ContributorPremium Rate

(per $100 of insurable earnings) Maximum Annual ContributionWorkers $1.58 $856.36

Inside SilveraPage 8

An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was established at Silve-ra’s admin office during an evacuation drill at Westview. The drill was for a simulated gas leak at the community.

Nearly 50 residents and employees at Westview tested Silvera’s emergency response capabilities and communications between our EOC and incident command staff.

Practising emergency responses helps us learn and get better in the event of an actual emergency.

an incident – a puddle on the floor, a frayed cord, an empty soap dispenser, or bald tires. Any of these observations could be considered a near miss that could result in you or a co-worker being injured or becoming ill.

Prevention is the driving force behind reporting near misses. With a new year starting and many people making resolutions, consider making one for yourself that could prevent a life-alter-ing injury or illness.

Take small steps to make your work-place as safe as possible. Be a strong participant in making sure we all make it home safely at the end of our shifts.

Use your safety voice to report near misses

E mployees have three rights within health and safety – the right to know, the right to partic-

ipate and the right to refuse dangerous work.

In support of your right to participate, Silvera has chosen 2020 to be the year to ‘Use Your Safety Voice’.

Every employee has the accountability for creating and maintaining a healthy and safe workplace, so it’s important to make your voice heard.

Throughout 2020, Jonathan Hamon, Sil-vera’s new Health and Safety Program Lead, will be talking about using your voice to actively support a strong culture of safety at Silvera.

He will be encouraging employees to think of ways your ‘safety voice’ can

improve your own community, and the communities of others.

Avoid incidents by speaking up

An important part of using your safety voice is reporting near misses. A ‘near miss’ is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness or damage – but had the potential to do so.

Most of us have experienced situations such as a box falling over or stumbling over a piece of furniture where we thought, “That was close!” No one got hurt, but the result could have been a problem had things happened just a little differently.

As you go about your day, you may see things that could potentially become

Jonathan Hamon, Health and Safety Program Lead

Emergency drill puts processes to the test

Inside Silvera Page 9

mployees who take part in the meal plan at our enhanced services (supportive living) com-

munities and Willow Park on the Bow will see a slight increase in the fee they pay for meals.

Small increase to employee meal plan fee

E Effective March 8, 2020, the meal plan fee will cost $3.15 per shift.

The change was made to reflect increased costs and with taxable benefits legislation in mind.

If you would like to participate in the plan, or continue as a plan member,

Celebrating all things merry and bright

please submit the revised meal plan form to your supervisor and payroll@silvera.ca.

The “Meal Plan Participation Form Effective Mar 8-2020” form is available on the Library drive (L:\EMPLOYEES\EE New Hire\Silvera Forms)

Silvera residents and employees came together over the holiday season to celebrate with special meals and treats, great music, cheerful decorations and amazing friends and family. Thanks to employees for all of your extra efforts to help residents enjoy the holidays!

Inside SilveraPage 10

New build: Gilchrist Gardens Phase 2

Development work is underway at the third building on the Gilchrist campus in Pineridge. Gilchrist Gardens Phase 2 will be a four-storey supportive-living (with enhanced services) building, esti-mated to open in Spring 2021.

The 114-unit facility will complement the Gilchrist Gardens Phase 1 indepen-dent living (IL) community that opened in 2016, and the older Gilchrist Manor IL building.

Changes are coming to two Silvera communities in the northeast quadrant of the city

New build, renovations in the northeast

“The three buildings will be physically connected together to create more opportunities for aging in place,” says Garrett Newman, Planning Manager, Capital Development. “It will enable residents to transition easily from the Gilchrist independent living commu-nities into this new supportive living

building when they’re ready.”

Currently, the general contractor, Mbuilds, is working on the foundation and will be pouring the concrete slab

for the suspended floor this winter. Between 10 and 20 people are working onsite every day.

Pre-construction preparation started in Fall 2018, and included relocating utilities, removing trees, and taking out the existing parking lot.

The new building will be comprised entirely of studio units and will have a dining room, bistro, hair salon and activity rooms.

Renovation: Spruce community

In November 2019, a renovation began on Spruce community’s main entry areas, including reception and staff areas on the main floor, tuck shop, auditorium room (chapel), and atrium.

In 2018, the dining room and lounge rooms were upgraded at Spruce and a new demonstration kitchen was con-structed.

“As stewards of these buildings, we make every effort to ensure the spaces are modernized and function effi-ciently,” says Garrett.

When these renovations are complete in Winter 2020, which include building new walls and upgrades to electrical and mechanical functions, Spruce employees and residents will enjoy more and updated meeting rooms, a larger auditorium room, and a more functional tuck shop.

Work is progressing at the Gilchrist Gardens Phase 2 construction site.

Conceptual renderings of Gilchrest Gardens Phase 2

silvera.ca