The Bucket List
We all have dreams. Harrison Pointe and Harrison Landing retirement communities, referred to as “The Harrisons,” are helping their residents’ dreams come true.
Located in Langley BC, The Harrisons are premier retirement communities that provide seniors and disabled adults with accommodations and services to meet their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. In October 2018, they launched the “Bucket List” initiative aimed at making residents lives a little more exciting. Residents are invited to submit their Top 5 bucket list wishes. The name of one individual is drawn each month and staff try to make that person’s dream come true. Interest in the initiative has been strong with over 50 submissions sent in during the first six months of the program.
“The Bucket List initiative was set up to give residents something to dream about and something to look forward to,” says Bell. “The act of setting goals keeps residents excited about life.”
For information on The Harrison’s go to https://harrisonpointe.ca
Extraordinary Senior Award
In partnership with the Alzheimer Society of BC and the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), Retirement Concepts is proud to host the second annual Extraordinary Senior Award.
“We are pleased to be hosting the second Extraordinary Senior Award in 2019 to recognize people within our communities that go above and beyond to help others,” says Retirement Concepts Partner Jennie Deneka. “At Retirement Concepts, we are fortunate to see extraordinary seniors each day and know first-hand the incredible contributions they make across organizations, charities and community initiatives.”
Nominees must be over the age of 65 and a resident of BC. The Extraordinary Senior Award accepts nominations online across the province each year until July.
The recipient receives his or her award at Seniors Day at The Fair at the PNE on August 22, 2019, as well as a VIP day, including admission and parking for four, dinner for two at Hendricks Resto-Lounge in the Westin Grand Hotel, accommodation at the Westin Grand Hotel and travel to the PNE.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Retirement Concepts and the Alzheimer Society of BC to host the Extraordinary Senior Award and acknowledge those over 65 who make outstanding contributions to our communities,” says PNE President and CEO Shelley Frost. “The Fair at the PNE is fortunate to be able to host this important event as so many of those who come to The Fair every year are seniors themselves.”
If you know an extraordinary senior who is passionate about a cause or active in the community, you can nominate them for 2020 at: www.extraordinarysenior.com
For more information about Retirement Concepts visit https://www.retirementconcepts.com
Pets Are Good Therapy
The administration at Camellia Residences in Surrey BC understands that pets are good therapy. They believe so strongly in the human connection to our furry friends that when the new Camellia Residence opens in the summer of 2021, they will allow their residents to enjoy the companionship of their pets full-time.
Camellia Residences are built on the values of community, love and dignity. Camellia offers a wonderful connection and emotional support for like-minded seniors embracing the next stage of life; this includes embracing their residents’ love of their furry friends. Each resident will be allowed to have one pet. The organization will also host monthly pet therapy sessions for their residents.
According to multiple health organizations, pets play a significant role in an individual’s emotional well-being and keep pet owners active, bringing them joy, companionship, unconditional love and provide the pet owner with daily purpose. Pets help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and increase social interaction and physical activity. Pets can also have an astounding effect on symptoms of depression and feelings of loneliness.
Many people looking to move into a senior residence are reluctant to leave a family pet behind. Knowing they can bring their beloved pet with them is a relief and can make the transition much easier knowing their furry companion is moving with them to their new home.
Hanah Damot, Executive Assistant with ATL Senior Living, says having a pet makes it easier for residents to make friends in a new home as pets provide a focal point for conversation. More and more, pets are being recognized as a part of an individual’s care team due to the important role they play in improving social and mental well-being.
For more information about Camellia Residences, visit https://atlseniorliving.com/en/camellia-residences/
Is There A Doctor In The House?
Having access to a family physician is one of Canada’s largest health care challenges.
BC’s Minister of Health said in an interview earlier this year that there are approximately 775,000 people in BC without a family doctor. Trillium Care Communities is tackling this challenge on behalf of its residents in their nine independent, assisted and long-term care homes along BC’s West Coast.
Lesley Sikorski, Director of Community Relations with Trillium, says the care teams at Trillium are committed to providing their residents with the highest level of care. Having access to a physician is one important aspect of that care.
All Trillium residences have medical directors on site that are practising general physicians and are part of the Trillium care teams.
These physicians will assume care for any Trillium resident whose primary physician is unable to continue care as a result of distance, transportation issues, or the resident comes to Trillium from other parts of the province or from out of province.
Trillium physicians conduct regular rounds at least once or twice a week checking in on all their patients. This pro-active approach allows doctors to connect with nursing staff and their patients for early intervention on emerging illnesses or conditions for which patients may not seek medical attention.
Nursing staff monitor residents on a regular basis and can loop doctors in if they identify anything requiring attention. Having onsite physicians provides family members with comfort knowing their loved one is receiving exceptional medical attention and being looked in on regularly.
For more information about Trillium Communities, visit
https://www.trilliumcommunities.com
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