Life in a retirement home: What's it really like?

Have you ever wondered what living in a retirement community is really like? What do residents do every day? What advice would they give you about moving there if you could ask them?



Find out in Seniors on Screen, a series of videos featuring actual residents in retirement communities across Canada. They'll tell you how they dealt with typical issues such as the challenges of  moving and adapting to new surroundings and they'll take you inside their communities so you can see what really goes on.

Anne Hopcott (above right) at Courtyard Gardens in Richmond, B.C. talks about making the transition. Her daughter Judy has some great insight too:



Residents also share the new experiences and opportunities they've enjoyed since moving in such as volunteering in the community, taking advantage of innovative fitness programs or resuming their interest in former hobbies such as painting.

Marilyn Hepburn, a resident of Palisades on the Glen in Mississauga, Ontario talks about the fun she has on the computer:



If you are single, you can even find love and companionship in a retirement community like Harry Bentley and Gertrude Olsen of Fleetwood Villa in Surrey, B.C. did:



Then there are all those things you used to do at home like having people over for dinner, shopping at the mall, or having a coffee with your friends. You can do all that here but without worrying about dishes, cleaning or laundry.

That's the life!

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Related articles:

Is living in a retirement home a positive thing?

How to search for a retirement home in Canada

I just moved to a retirement home, now what?

Change is difficult but not impossible

Do you live in a retirement community? Have you ever visited one? Share your experiences with other readers by adding a comment below!