Ensuring the delivery of comprehensive, high quality programs and services to seniors in Canada over the coming decades presents a significant challenge to policy makers and health care professionals. The goal of this study was to provide decision-makers with data on recent trends in the utilization of health services by seniors in Alberta. We compared recent trends in the utilization of acute hospital services (1992/93–1997/98), home care services (1994/95–1997/98), claims for physician consultations and procedures (1995/96–1997/98) and long-term facility care (1990–1996) for Albertans less than and over 65 years of age. We also assessed trends in the use of prescription drugs (1992/93–1997–98) by Albertans 65 years and older. Data for these analyses were obtained from Alberta Health and Wellness administrative databases and reports. Overall, the trends indicate fewer, though sicker, patients being cared for in institutions and more patients being cared for in the community. The receipt of prescription drugs obtained outside of facilities has also increased among seniors in recent years. The extent and appropriateness of substitution of community care for institutional care, the quality of that care, and whether health outcomes are better, worse, or unchanged, are important subjects for further study.