At any age and stage of our lives, having a balanced, healthy lifestyle is important. However, for seniors it’s imperative for maintaining emotional and physical health in their golden years.
At Raglan Village Retirement Community in Collingwood, they encourage and support their residents to lead an active and healthy lifestyle, to maintain optimal health and well-being.
Catherine Elliott, Marketing Manager at Raglan Village, said healthy lifestyle can be achieved with a balance of physical activity, proper nutrition and social interactions, all of which help to achieve good physical, mental and emotional health.
Retirement is a time when life should be enjoyed and with seniors living longer, Elliott said they’re seeking fulfillment and enrichment in their lives. Therefore, Raglan operates much like an all-inclusive resort that is family-oriented, where everybody becomes a part of the village, and they are encouraged to provide input to ensure they’re living their best life in retirement.
“Raglan’s employees all know that our number one priority is the resident’s, this is their home, to be enjoyed their way,” she said.
Discovering the needs of residents starts at the first visit to Raglan
Many seniors are hesitant to leave their homes and move to a retirement community, Elliott said, due to concerns of losing independence, sense of community, along with their perception of what they believe a retirement home to be.
“I believe one reason individuals put off investigating retirement living is they are confusing it with long-term care, associating it with memories from prior years when supporting their parents through this journey. They are pleasantly surprised to discover that retirement living is an extension of what they’re doing now at home but with neighbours, friends and support,” she said.
At Raglan, Elliott said from the time of first meeting someone, Raglan Village’s goal is to make them feel at home, get to know them, and make discoveries about that individual to set them up for success from the beginning.
Based on what she learns, Elliott said she begins to think about other residents that would be a good match for them to socialize with or to enjoy meals with, making sure the foods they enjoy are on the menu, and their favourite pastimes are available to be enjoyed.
“It’s a discovery process on my part,” she said. “Raglan managers meet new residents in the preliminary stages to discover the setting that may best suite individual lifestyle within the community and the activities they will most enjoy.”
Elliott added that establishing a sense of community and belonging is important, along with letting them know that even in their senior years, special friendships and connections will continue to be established.
Opportunities to remain active and social at Raglan means residents have the freedom to choose
From the moment a Raglan resident wakes up and walks out their door with their neighbour to breakfast, Elliot said the possibilities for socialization and to participate in activities begins. She said after breakfast, a plethora of fitness classes and activities are available, and residents can choose everyday, how they wish to spend their day.
“Jigsaw puzzles, card groups, bocce ball, entertainment, billiards, shuffleboard, pool/spa area where aquafit classes are enjoyed, line dancing and so much more! The pandemic did change the way activities can take place and we did see some disappear for awhile, but they are once again available and part of Raglan everyday life,” she said.
While Covid has kept outdoor excursions such as shopping, parks and waterfront adventures, boat cruises and theatre trips on hold, Elliot said residents enjoy visits and excursions with their family and friends while discovering the four-season Collingwood and area community.
The goal, she said, is to provide residents the right combination of care, support and enrichment, while having the freedom to choose how to live their best life, the way they want.
To learn more about Raglan Village Retirement Community or to take a tour, call them at 1-705-445-1100 or contact them today!