The thought of living in a retirement residence with other people terrified my mother. She valued her freedom and privacy and was determined to live on her own, even if it meant living with some risk.
My father, on the other hand, was quite happy to move into a residential setting where he enjoyed socializing with the other residents, volunteers, and staff.
Here in BC, we have the freedom to choose how and where we want to live. And this ability to make our own decisions goes a long way in promoting our health and well-being.
As we age and find ourselves searching for housing that meets our changing needs, we might consider how comfortable we are living with risk.
Other things to consider are where the building or community is located; the age or character of the building; the cost of renting or owning; the size of the building/community and the number of services or amenities available.
For those seeking a balance between freedom and safety, housing options for retirees range from fully independent housing, such as Dunwood Place in New Westminster, to those, such as The Glenshiel in Victoria and The Harrisons in Langley that provide meals, housekeeping, and other services.
“Preventative measures to protect the health and safety of residents, volunteers and staff are extremely important,” says The Glenshiel’s executive director Jackie Cox-Ziegler. “Thirty of the rooms are semi-private, but residents choose The Glenshiel because they find the unique character of the historic building warm and friendly.”
Built in 1909, The Glenshiel provides homecooked meals, daily housekeeping, and a variety of in-house activities as well as excursions. Residents in need of more assistance can arrange for home support workers. The Glenshiel staff work closely with Island Health to make this possible.
Harrison Landing and Harrison Pointe are full-service retirement communities located in Langley. In addition to meals, fun social events, and recreational activities, these retirement communities provide several security features including 24-hour, in-house security call system, secure underground parking, and video surveillance of public areas.
In addition, The Harrisons provide easy access to a wide range of optional support services, such as assistance with bathing and with medication management. These additional services provide a level of safety enabling many residents to continue living at The Harrisons as their needs change.
For those wanting more independent living, Dunwood Place in New Westminster provides bachelor and one-bedroom suites. Residents must be able to cook and clean for themselves and there is no medical staff on duty, however, a staff person is onsite 24/7 and will call an ambulance in an emergency.
“People tell me how safe they feel in the building,” says Dunwood Place administrator Roschelle Wilson.
And although residents live independently at Dunwood Place, there are many opportunities to socialize.
“There is a tenants association run by the tenants for the tenants, which plans and organizes entertainment, banquets, and special events. A unique feature of Dunwood Place is the inhouse café: this is where everyone gathers and has been a saving grace during COVID,” says Wilson.
In BC, we are fortunate to have a variety of residential settings to choose from. Despite the different services offered, the safety features in place make it possible for residents to live with peace of mind.
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