Independent living in British Columbia is an ideal lifestyle option for active, independent seniors looking to lead a simplified, social, and convenient retirement. Why might you or a loved one choose to move into an independent living residence? Here’s what we hear from our residents:

• You’re finding some of the tasks of home ownership are draining your time and energy—lawn care, costly home repairs, cleaning a large house—and you’d rather focus on the people and pursuits most important to you.
• If you’re ready to downsize, you would prefer living in a quiet and safe community with people who share your interests and stage of life instead of in an all-ages apartment or condominium.
• You’d like to benefit from senior-focused fitness classes, creative activities, social gatherings, or outings when you feel like it, available on your very doorstep.
• You’d appreciate opportunities for casual socialization in a community setting versus living alone.
• You’d sleep better at night knowing that in the event of an emergency, staff are around if you need them, thanks to a call-bell system or personal response pendant.

An enriching social life, friendly staff support, and a sense of personal safety and security are the cornerstones of independent living at Chartwell. There are many valuable services you may find yourself enjoying as a part of this lifestyle, including dining options, housekeeping, laundry, transportation services for appointments or outings, and much more. Access to visiting health care professionals or clinics may also be available, from visiting physicians and nurse practitioners, to blood pressure and foot care clinics.

Independent living residents also enjoy having a selection of on-site amenities that act as an extension of their personal living space—places to garden, be creative, workout, grab a coffee and baked goods with friends, watch the big game, dine, dance, read, and explore.

Speaking of private living space, our independent living suites or apartments often come equipped with kitchenettes or full kitchens, offering the ability to cook, make light meals or snacks, or put on a cup of tea. Different suite layouts and accommodation types you may see at our retirement communities include:

• Studio, one-bedroom, one-bedroom-plus-den, and two-bedroom suites
• Seniors’ apartments in a variety of layouts
• Seniors’ bungalows

If you’re looking for convenient services to make life better without the need for care support, independent living may be the perfect fit for you. Alternatively, if you do need some support with your healthcare needs, our Retirement Living Consultants can help you navigate your homecare options through third-party providers too, empowering you to enjoy the best of both worlds. As some of our retirement communities in British Columbia also offer a continuum of care—meaning assisted living, Memory Living, or long term care services are available within the same building—you can also feel confident aging in place, knowing you can opt into other care options as your needs change.

If you or a loved one are living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, Chartwell’s unique Memory Living program is an ideal lifestyle option to help you live a good day, every day. Offered at Chartwell Langley Gardens in Langley, British Columbia, our dedicated Memory Living Neighbourhood is a safe, secure, and home-like setting designed to elevate the well-being of our residents living with dementia. We offer specialized services that honour a person-centred approach to memory care; one that prioritizes who a person truly is and what can make their living experience better, rather than seeing the disease first and allowing the personal expressions of residents to define who they are.

Unique program features of Memory Living in British Columbia include:

• High resident-to-staff ratios
• Access to nursing staff 24/7
• Dedicated dining and amenity spaces, including secure outdoor space
• Specialized activities and dining
• Interactive neighbourhood design elements that promote easy navigation and independence
• Dedicated Memory Living Managers to support residents and their families

Our Memory Living Manager will partner with you and your family to build a personalized plan of care, designed to maximize your independence, comfort, and quality of life. In addition to three nutritious and tasty meals a day, snacks, housekeeping, and laundry, you or a loved one may receive valuable care services like:

• Assistance with morning or evening routines, including dressing, grooming, showering or continence care
• Cueing assistance and an escort to meals and activities
• Medication management
• Many more customizable services available

Our staff are specially trained to focus on who each of our residents is, including their personal history, likes and dislikes, and what brings them joy and happiness each day. We strive to understand each resident’s unique experience with dementia so we can better soothe personal expressions and redirect to activities, conversations, or people we know spark relaxation or excitement.

As a result, our staff form meaningful, trusted relationships with residents, and go beyond delivering care by “living” in the residence with them—watching a baseball game together, setting the table for dinner, gardening, folding laundry, or any other simple, yet important aspects of daily living that gives you or a loved one purpose and happiness.

For individuals instead opting for funded long term care in our residences, private or semi-private accommodations may be available. All applications are coordinated by individual regional health authorities, who plan, integrate, and partially-fund long term care services for you or a loved one. Health authorities also manage waitlists, which are traditionally longer than for those seeking private-pay long term care.