Active Listening

In her role as Seniors Advocate, Dr. Sheree Kwong See is committed to serving Alberta’s aging population.

When Alberta seniors are struggling to gain access to government-funded programs and services, the Alberta Office of the Seniors Advocate is a place they can turn to.

Established in 2014, the office helps seniors locate, navigate and utilize government programs and services and assists with any other issues they may face. Dr. Sheree Kwong See is the province’s current seniors advocate, appointed to the role in 2016 for a three-year term. She says her office serves the entire province and deals with a wide range of issues. 

“For example, we often have family caregivers of persons with dementia contact the office,” Kwong See says. “Families contact us for help in understanding the continuing care system and how to get started. This includes helping people find and access home care and to know what resources are available in their communities.”

Along with assisting seniors and their families with specific problems, the office is also tasked with identifying  systemic issues and barriers to improving dementia care in the province. As a professor of psychology at the University of Alberta, Kwong See studied how aging impacts cognitive performance, and she says she applied for the role of seniors advocate to provide a voice for seniors. 

“Seniors tell us that they often feel invisible and unheard, and our office is here to help people be heard,” says Kwong See. 

The office serves all of Alberta and can be reached toll-free at 1-844-644-0682.