Client Spotlight – Father Lacombe Care Society
For more than a century, Father Lacombe Care Society has been part of Calgary’s continuing care landscape, providing compassionate support to seniors and families while carrying forward a tradition of service rooted in dignity, respect, and community.
The Society’s story dates back to 1909, when four Sisters of Providence arrived in Calgary at the invitation of Father Albert Lacombe to help establish a home for people in need. Today, Father Lacombe Care Society is Calgary’s oldest Catholic continuing care provider, building on that legacy through a commitment to person-centred care and service to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Across its communities, the Society provides long-term care, supportive living, memory care, and an Adult Day Program. Its approach is centred on the belief that care should reflect the individual, including their values, life story, preferences, and relationships. That philosophy extends beyond meeting medical needs to supporting residents’ social, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
The scale of that work is significant. Father Lacombe Care Centre is home to 114 residents, while Providence Care Centre provides care for an additional 160 residents. Approximately 85 people from the surrounding community also participate in the Society’s Adult Day Program, which helps older adults manage chronic health needs, remain active, and maintain independence while also providing respite and support for caregivers.
Father Lacombe Care Centre has served Calgary since 1965, while Providence Care Centre offers a modern neighbourhood-based model designed to create a more familiar and comfortable living environment. Providence includes seven neighbourhoods with private suites, shared dining and recreation spaces, outdoor areas, and specialized environments designed to support residents living with dementia.
Underlying these services is a multidisciplinary approach to care. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, health care aides, recreation therapists, social workers, pastoral care coordinators, physicians, volunteers, and other professionals work together to support residents and their families around the clock.
Although the organization is grounded in Catholic values, its care is inclusive and non-denominational. Excellence, compassion, justice, spirituality, and the sacredness of life guide the Society’s work and its commitment to treating every person with dignity.
More than 100 years after its founding, Father Lacombe Care Society continues to demonstrate the lasting value of compassionate, community-based care. By combining a rich tradition of service with modern continuing care, the Society is helping Calgary seniors live with dignity, connection, and a strong sense of home.