Unique programs encourage creativity and lifelong learning for seniors’ community residents
“There is so much to participate in if you take advantage of it,” says United Active Living resident, Libby.
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When it comes to seniors’ communities, United Active Living’s two Calgary locations provide large, luxurious suites, abundant amenities and a best-in-class focus on health and wellness support.
United Active Living champions creativity and lifelong learning by integrating them into their daily offerings. To ensure the available programming is relevant and interesting to residents, many of the programs come from resident suggestions.
A focus on programs that entertain and enlighten seniors is part of the philosophy at the company’s Garrison Green and Fish Creek communities, which offer independent living, assisted living and memory care options through their unique United Minds program.
Careen Chrusch, director of marketing and communications at United Active Living, says the company believes that wellness is more than just physical health and comfortable housing.
All communities provide residents with the opportunity for emotional, creative and intellectual expression with a full calendar of programming and events every week — with the level of participation being left up to each individual. The depth and breadth of opportunity available to each resident encourages active minds, bodies and imaginations, and is a big part of what makes United Active Living unique. Taking care of the strengths, abilities and interests of each resident is just as important as taking care of their medical needs.
“What their day looks like is completely up to each of our residents,” says Chrusch. “They can take part in an unbeatable variety of programming while spending quality time with diverse groups of people of varying numbers. There is truly something for everyone.”
Arts and culture programs include everything from a resident choir, music appreciation sessions, in-house concerts and concert excursions, art classes, creative workshops in ceramics, gallery visits, historic excursions and live theatre outings — to name just a few.
Residents have access to fully equipped art studios that are staffed seven days a week with professional artists who can provide guidance.
“I like to draw, but I’ve never had an art lesson in my life,” says Olive, a United Active Living resident. “When I came here, the creative facilitators introduced me to the art studio, and it turned out I had a natural talent for it.”
United Active Living also provides educational programs through community partnerships with St. Mary’s University College and Mount Royal University. Educators and researchers give talks and lead discussions on topics that can include history, technology, politics, science and many more.
“We believe in lifelong learning at United Active Living,” says Chrusch. “Retirement provides an excellent opportunity for our residents to spend their free time pursuing passions and interests that they couldn’t find time for during busy years of working or raising a family.”
United Active Living resident, Libby, says she has learned so many new things in her community. “The programming is basically over the top,” she says. “I couldn’t ask for more. There is so much to participate in if you take advantage of it.”
For more information or to book a tour, visit unitedactiveliving.com
This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of United Active Living.