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Once established, younger immigrants often want to sponsor a parent or parents to come to Canada. The reasons are many: to re-unify the family, because the parent is lonely, to help out with childcare. Whatever the reason, here are some things to keep in mind.

• Applying for sponsorship: To bring a parent to Canada you must apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada under the Family Class designation. This means that if your parent comes to Canada as a permanent resident, you are responsible for supporting that parent financially for the period of the sponsorship. For older immigrants, the period of sponsorship is usually 10 years.  For immigration information check out www.cic.gc.ca
  
  
• Working: Perhaps your parent intends to work when they get to Canada. If your parent is a permanent resident, he/she can work the moment they have a Social Insurance Number. There are plenty of jobs in Alberta too! Keep in mind that it is often more difficult for older workers to find employment, especially employment that is suitable to their physical abilities. For information on social insurance numbers check out:  www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/sc/sin/
  
  
• Health Care Eligibility: As soon as your parent arrives in Alberta as a permanent resident, they are eligible to apply for Alberta Health Care Insurance. That means they qualify for basic medical coverage from the moment they come to Alberta from another country. (If they are moving to Alberta from another province, they do not qualify for Alberta Health Care until three months have elapsed.) Individuals age 65 and over do not pay health care premiums. Once registered with Alberta Health Care Insurance, each senior (over 65) receives a Blue Cross Card which provides coverage for 70% of the cost of prescriptions and covers ambulance fees. The Blue Cross card comes in the mail and may take 6-8 weeks to arrive. For more information check out: http://www.health.alberta.ca/ahcip/AHCIP.html
  
  
• Other Health Benefits: Seniors may qualify for further health care assistance under a number of different programs. This includes full or partial coverage for dental work, glasses, hearing aids, health aids such as wheel chairs and walkers and diabetic supplies. To find out if your parent qualifies under any of these programs, call Alberta Seniors and Community Support at 1-800-642-3853.
  
  
• Old Age Security Pension Eligibility: Old age security pensions are delivered by Service Canada on behalf of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). They are paid to most Canadians 65 years and older who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years. This corresponds to the usual period of sponsorship.
  
  
• International Benefits: Canada has pension agreements with some other countries. If your parent comes from one of these countries, they may qualify for a pension before the end of the 10-year residency period. For a list of countries with international pension agreements with Canada, go to:
  www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/ibfa/intlben.shtml
  
  
• Alberta Seniors Benefit: This program provides a cash benefit and other supports for low-income seniors. Sponsored immigrants qualify for the cash benefit if they are living independently. Sponsored immigrants who live with family members do not qualify for income support until they receive Old Age Security which is generally after 10 years residence in Canada. The cash benefit for seniors with less than 10 years in Canada varies from $10-$123/month. Combined income is considered for a couple. For information and application forms, check out: http://www.seniors.gov.ab.ca/
  
  
• Income Tax: Even if they have no income, your parent or parents should file a tax return in March or April each year. In Canada, government benefits for seniors are automatically renewed using information from the tax return. If seniors do not file a tax return by the end of April, they risk being cut off benefits. Also, depending on income, filing a tax return may make them eligible for the Goods and Services Tax rebate.
  
  
• Housing: There are many housing options for seniors in Calgary. Low-cost or subsidized housing almost always requires that the senior live in Calgary or Canada for some period before applying. This period can vary from one to ten years. If your parent is not going to live with you, make sure there is suitable accommodation that they (or you) can afford. For information on housing options, call Kerby Housing at (403) 705-3230.
  
  
• Making the Adjustment: Culture shock is real! Remember how you felt when you first moved here? The process of leaving familiar places and people can be even more difficult for an older person. This is especially true if your parent does not speak English. Maybe they won’t even be able to read signs and that will make it difficult to ride the bus or go to the grocery store on their own. Simple things can become difficult. Just keep in mind that it might take longer for a senior to adjust.
  
  
• Weather Shock: Did you love the weather the minute you got here? Maybe but surveys of new immigrants have shown that one of the biggest difficulties they have is adjusting to the weather. How will your parent handle 30 below zero, walking on ice or dark winter days?
  
  
• Changing Circumstances: Most sponsorships of parents are very successful but sometimes there are problems. Knowing about potential problems can help you prepare in case something unexpected happens. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
  • You fall ill and lose your job. Who will support your parent?
  • Your parent falls ill and does not have residency for long term care. Do you have money to pay the full costs ($100/day or more)?
  • Your parent has a stroke and has been in Alberta long enough to be admitted to a nursing home under the subsidized rate. The problem is, no one at the nursing home speaks your language and your parent does not like any of the food. Will you be able to care for them at home? (NOTE: There is one nursing home in Calgary that operates in Chinese but it is in great demand. All other nursing homes supply services only in English.)
  • Your parent cannot seem to settle in. Canada is just too different, they miss their friends and become depressed. What will you do? Will you be able to settle them back in their home country?
  • You think everyone will be happy living together in the same house but it does not work out that way. Will you be able to find your parent other housing? Who will pay?
  • You want your parent to look after your small children when you are at work. Your parent has agreed but discovers after a short time that she is not comfortable babysitting. If she wants to quit, how will you feel?