Letter from the Editor
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Alberta Senior Living magazine! You have no idea how excited I am to be connecting with you on these pages.
Magazines have always played an important part in my life. I grew up reading my mom’s Chatelaine and Good Housekeeping, and had my own subscription to Highlights magazine as a child. I studied Journalism in post-secondary, and although I began my career in television news, I have enjoyed being a part of Alberta’s magazine industry for close to 20 years, so for me, starting Alberta Senior Living feels right.
What a scary endeavour, though! It’s one thing for me to think it’s a good idea, but what if nobody else does? For every wave of confidence I felt over the last few months, I quickly felt pulled back out to sea with self-doubt. It started with the idea of creating a beautiful lifestyle magazine for Albertans 55+, and thanks to so many contributors and advertisers who believed in my vision, here we are!
In this edition of Alberta Senior Living, we’re exploring ways to thrive in winter, which feels a little easier said than done at this time of the year. From winter mood boosters to Alberta getaways close to home, tips for decluttering to smart money moves for 2026, we’ve got some great ways to set you up for a wonderful new year!
The most special part of this first edition is the cover story featuring Don Johnson. His story is one that many will relate to: born to hardworking parents in a rural Alberta community, dazzled by the idea of an exciting career and adventure far away from the quiet homestead, only to feel the tug of home, ultimately finding himself back where it all began. You see, Don Johnson is my father, and sharing his story is incredibly meaningful to me.
From the outside, my dad appears to be very stoic, probably grumpy, and definitely someone you don’t want to irritate. But as his daughter, I see the man who let my sister and me put makeup on him when we were young, who tirelessly helped me study for tests when I was in school, and who would speak in a silly falsetto voice on behalf of our family dog, Khloe. He’s worn holes in swimming trucks joining us on the waterslides on vacations, and holes in his knees, praying any time and every time someone needed it. He’s taught me that even if you’re not in the mood to wear a smile on your face, you show up for people you love, every single time.
Everyone has a story to tell, and sharing those stories will be a big focus of Alberta Senior Living. For as much as these pages will be filled with articles and stories to inspire your everyday life, these pages will also be filled with stories that celebrate the parts of life that have already been lived! If you would like to share your story or know someone who does, I would love to hear from you! Email me at hello@allardgroup.ca and tell me more.
In addition to the printed magazine, Alberta Senior Living is online with fresh articles that are only featured there, such as protection tips for hearing aids during the cold weather, from Professional Audiology Clinic, as well as a piece about the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy from Dr. Melanie Morrill at Accessible Acupuncture Edmonton.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read Alberta Senior Living! I’m so excited to grow this magazine with each one of you.
Warmly,
Kerri Leland
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
