Our family moved to the Carseland / Strathmore area in 1965 and even though I have not personally lived in the community for many years, I have great memories of both the community and the people. My parents, Bill and Tena Byma, loved the community and continued to live there throughout most of their lives.
Both of my parents were in good health until their late seventies but then everything changed. Mom was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer in June of 2007; Dad (who had almost complete hearing loss) also began to experience tremendous hip pain during that time. Although they had sufficient financial resources and eight children offering care and support, the ensuing year was still one of deep suffering and hardship for both of them.
My Dad suffered a massive stroke on July 1, 2008. Mom passed away on July 9, 2008 and Dad passed away three days later on July 12, 2008.
The suffering endured by my own parents caused me to realize how difficult it is for many seniors in our society. I was saddened to see many in the hospitals who had no visitors who really cared for or supported them. It was heartbreaking to see how many seniors had difficulty in navigating the health care system. It was also difficult to see my parents leave their community to live in a seniors’ facility in Calgary because that was the only space available at that time.
Having witnessed and experienced much through the final year of my parents’ lives, I realized that seniors needed other care options and also strong advocates in their later years. I felt that a peaceful country setting would provide a desirable option for many and so began to develop the concept for Chara Seniors Community. While water and waste water servicing, COVID‐19, supply chain issues and the most recent inflationary spikes have been significant challenges, the desire to see this community develop has not
waned. The problem of an aging population will not change and the need for care will not diminish.