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With the release of our 2017 magazine, eight stories show how life after retirement is vibrant and vigorous.
Adult Lifestyle
Learn how ideal life can be in these communities. Adult lifestyle communities are popping up all over the map. Designed to meet the needs of couples 55 and older, these retirement villages offer people a more manageable home in a community of peers.
Take a look inside Balmoral Village, Collingwood's state-of-the-art active lifestyle community, where you can age in place and "never have to search for another place to live." Community members share the variety of ways in which this works to their advantage. Read about aging in place at Balmoral Village.
Caron Nightingale writes about her discovery of Arbutus Ridge by the Sea and her and her husband's increasing delight with its perfection. The climate here is the most moderate in all of Canada, and among other things, she loves how welcoming the entire community has been. Read "Finding Paradise at Arbutus Ridge."
Life within retirement communities
Communities continue to improve care and services offered. Stories below, associated with the release of our 2017 Comfort Life magazine, demonstrate communities' ability to rejevenate and revitalize those in their care.
Taking a Bite out of Life, at Scarborough Retirement Residence
Since 2013, residents of Scarborough Retirement Residence (SRR) have been getting together to create an annual calendar. This year, the calendar highlighted delectable selections from the kitchen of Chef Victor Gamage. The calendar's creation is led by Fred Lafontaine, founder of Community Lifecare and now a community member at SRR. Read about the fun they have putting together this calendar.
Hazelton Place's Bee Sanctuary
Hazelton Place Retirement Residence installed a honey bee hive “sanctuary.” The community is now recognized as a distinguished Toronto Urban Beekeeper, and with the installation of the hive, residents have a simple link to nature, right in the city. Most importantly Hazelton Place is engaged in an environmental initiative, in an age of environemental consciousness. Read how residents are happy to share their home with bees!
Inside V!VA Barrhaven
There were many reasons Ted and Marilyn Fenwick moved into the V!VA Barrhaven Retirement Community, but the most important of all was its location. He and his wife had lived in nearby Manotick for 24 years and wanted to move closer to their adult children. Their story took an unexpected twist, though, when Ted fell ill. Read how Ted and Marilyn ended up "very pleased" at V!VA Barrhaven. You can also read more about V!VA Barrhaven Retirement Community's amenities.
LivingBalance at PARC Retirement Living
PARC Retirement Living believes that growing old is not the same as aging and has built its seniors’ communities on this belief, that attitude to age is fundamental to increased longevity. Their philosophy is exemplified in its proprietary LivingBalanceTM program, which emphasizes the value of nutrition, exercise and brain fitness. Read about PARC's LivingBalance program.
Super Seniors!
Seniors take charge of their own revitalization (with a little help from others). Read two stories of seniors thriving and loving life, including one who is over 100 years old!
Diana Filer
Diana is a retired CBC executive who moved into Legacy Senior Living in Vancouver. On Thursday afternoons, you might find Diana at Legacy’s Ash Street Bistro lounge, enjoying the work of mixologist extraordinaire, Giorgio Castiglioni. She might also be engaged in conversation with some pretty notable company, such as award winning broadcaster, David Suzuki or the Honourable Pat Carney. Read Diana's story.
Adolf Bock
Southbrook Retirement Community is home to many accomplished, unique seniors. One of those, seniors, Adolf Bock, stands out... not just because he is 105 years old! Mr. Bock's life story is that of hard work and determination, beginning in his youth, during the worst of the depression. Read Mr. Bock's harrowing tale of survival and success.
Making a Successful Move
Moving Mom
When asked to describe the process of moving her mother into a retirement community near here home, Yvonne tells us, "It was painful!" The painful aspects were there, but in the end everything turned out well. She got her mom to commit to a trial stay, and mom agreed that it was "at least in some ways a better place to be." After some more convincing, her mom moved in, made some adjustments and came to love life in her retirement home. And eventually, Yvonne was able to report: "mom is flourishing!" We hope that you find Yvonne's story inspiring. Read about moving mom into a retirement home.