The new face of "senior living" is barely recognizable compared to the old one.

That evolution means community integration instead of isolation; health, wellness and amenity/meal options for a growing group of active residents; and aging in place with staged support for those with dementia and their caregivers.

Calgarians have many options when helping an aging parent find suitable housing, but for some people the solution is right where they live.

So-called "mother-in-law" suites provide a separate space for an elderly parent to live with the assistance of family members just a door away.

If you're wondering whether it's the right time to say goodbye to your family home and downsize to a home more suitable for your lifestyle and needs, consider these scenarios:

Single-level homes are in high demand among retirees planning for their future

For active senior JoAnn Fetzner, who golfs three times a week and travels widely, one-level, bungalow living was an obvious choice for the rest of her life.

For empty-nester Patti Clarkson, 54, who is easing her way into retirement, her recently purchased bungalow villa will be the perfect "forever home."

For both women, finding a single-level home was a priority – part of their long-term planning for possible mobility issues down the road.

Today's retirement communities are designed to keep up with a new generation of active, engaged seniors

Dorothy Baker, 92, is perched on the edge of a chair in an elegant sitting room in Lake Bonavista Village Retirement Residence, her neon-pink toenails poking out from a pair of white sandals. A resident of Lake Bonavista Village for the past eight years, Baker exemplifies the modern senior: someone who is active, engaged and often busier than those folks still working the nine-to-five grind. She's the treasurer of Lake Bonavista Village's knitting club, she organizes bridge games for residents, and she serves as one of the village's welcome hostesses for newcomers to its population of more than 200 residents.

Calgarians playing a role in driving home sales outside of the city

Founded largely by intrepid pioneers who ventured west on the then fledgling Canadian Pacific Railway, Calgary is now seeing another western excursion.

With home sales in the city facing downward pressure as a result of a weakening labour market, markets west of the city – small and large – are seeing increased activity, thanks in part to Calgarians continued urge to drive westward.

From as near as the Rocky Mountains to as far as the West Coast, Calgarians are being pointed to as contributing factors in real estate markets outside of the city.

As the developer behind Canmore's Spring Creek, a $38-million "active lifestyle community" for seniors, frank Kernick has seen the impact of Calgary buyers outside of the city.

"From the demand point of view, the last three months in Canmore have probably been the strongest January, February and March I've seen in 10 years," said Kernick.

'Wholly inadequate' for some key segments

A new study is painting a frightening picture of the financial preparedness for those nearing retirement in Canada.

According to the Broadbent Institute, the value of retirement assets of those aged 55 to 64 without an employer pension – representing about half in this age cohort in Canada – is "wholly inadequate," with a median value of only $250 for those earning between $25,000 and $50,000 and $21,000 for those with incomes in the $50,000-$100,000 range.

"This new data on retirement savings and gaps in support makes one thing perfectly clear – we have a retirement income crisis on our hands that requires urgent government action now," said Rick Smith, executive director of the Broadbent Institute.

A survey by Manulife Financial found almost one in five homeowners expect they'll be accessing home equity to supplement their retirement income.

The Manulife Bank Debt survey, which questioned more than 2,300 Canadians, finding nearly one in five respondents see their home as part of their retirement income equation.