The doors swung open, and the students swept in. Paintbrushes met eager hands, eyes got wider, and faces smiled brighter as Arts Etobicoke’s Seniors Art Program reopened at Toronto’s Cloverdale Mall following the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.“People showed up with bells on,” raved Sonya Young, art classes program assistant,...
Retirement Homes at Christmas: Celebrating a Joyful Holiday Season
Every December, ‘tis the season for Lucas Di Giovanni to be jolly. ‘Tis the time for his team to don festive apparel—like the Santa hats that appear on their heads like magic. Quick as a fleet-footed reindeer, each smiling staff member at the Chartwell Lansing Retirement Residence hastens to deliver...
How One Family Knew It Was Time for Memory Care: 4 Warning Signs
Jan McIntyre’s mother-in-law Ersilia has Alzheimer’s disease. One frosty February day, Ersilia descended from her cozy condo unit into the snowy streets below. It was her first attempt at wandering. Like an icy wind blast, a bitter realization hit McIntyre then and there. The whole family knew it: It was...
Are Retirement Communities LGBTQ+‑Friendly?
If you’re old enough to downsize into a retirement community, you may recognize that times have changed. Long gone are the days, before 1969, when being lesbian or gay was a criminal offence. Yet, despite being “out” for years, some LGBTQ+ individuals in retirement or long-term care residences feel the...
Senior Living in Toronto: An Interview with The Sumach by Chartwell
Finding the right retirement home can be overwhelming. Whether it’s you or a family member looking at options for senior living in Toronto, there are many retirement homes to choose from. Services, amenities, and lifestyles can vary widely. There also are important differences in the quality of care provided as...