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Moving into a retirement residence before winter offers many appealing advantages. You get easy access to diverse recreational activities that will keep you mentally, physically, and socially active, regardless of the weather, along with tasty, nutritious meals. You also can avoid winter weather health hazards, the hassles of winter home maintenance, and beat the winter blues by forming new friendships and strengthening your social connections.

There’s no denying that moving can be stressful for anyone, especially for seniors. Those who choose retirement living, however, can enjoy peace of mind knowing that many senior living residences provide what’s known as a “continuum of care”— setting and services that allow you or a loved one to age in place without the need for a move.

For older people living with cognitive impairment and mild-to-moderate dementia, Chartwell offers a unique Memory Living Program. We sat down with Allison Schindler, Chartwell’s Director of Memory Living, to find out what makes the program special—and how it’s helping seniors and their families to enjoy a good day, every day.

At Chartwell, we strive to source our vegetables, fruit, dairy, and meat from local farms through our suppliers. Recently, our Senior Director of Food & Beverage, John Curtis and Chartwell food purchasing specialist Patricia Page—along with Tammy and Brandon from our partner, Fresh Start—visited a farm in Ontario to hear their story and learn more about the ingredients that form the foundation of our meals.

Retirement living is an option that addresses all of those concerns. There is a home-like environment that is safe, provides meals and housekeeping, as well as the opportunity to socialize and have friends right where you live. Easy socialization is one of the best aspects of retirement living. No one should spend their later years isolated and lonely.

It’s a common question: why would I consider retirement living unless I need nursing support or 24-hour care? While personal support is conveniently available in retirement residences, and can be customized to your specific needs—including a spectrum of light services, such as medication management, to the more substantial, like assistance with your daily routine, an escort to meals and activities, and other assisted living services—senior living communities are also designed for active, independent older adults.

Battling the winter elements can be challenging for seniors, creating barriers to social and physical activities and health risks in cold, icy conditions. Moving to a retirement community offers seniors many opportunities for social companionship to brighten daily life and beat the winter blues. Retirement living also offers easy access to stimulating recreational experiences, tasty, nutritious meals and a safe, comfortable haven from the hassles and hazards of winter.

For those people not familiar with all that senior living communities have to offer, the “loss of freedom” rationale has been a reason not to consider retirement living as an option. But what if the opposite were true? 

Is fall the best time to move to a retirement residence? If you’ve been considering senior living recently, an autumn move offers many advantages.

It’s no surprise that many aspects of our daily lives have temporarily changed due to the pandemic and the Public Health restrictions put in place to keep us all safe.

Let’s explore how the delicious, nutritious and varied meals that define Chartwell’s dining experience can make your life better.

Canadians who call a retirement community home have received (or will soon receive) their prioritized COVID-19 vaccines.