Thinking About Retirement? Take A Look At United’s Garrison Green
“Living at Garrison Green is like two steps below heaven. It really is.” – Trudy Martin, Garrison Green resident
If you’ve been thinking about retirement and what that lifestyle might look like, consider a move to United’s Garrison Green. There are opportunities to try new things, be adventurous, maybe start a small business. Because of the post-war baby boom, what we are seeing is an unprecedented change in society where older adults will be the majority and an important active link between generations.
The traditional idea of what retirement should look like no longer matches real life. When retirement can last another 35 years, what should those later years look like, and how can you live your life to the fullest?
United Active Living’s philosophy embraces this new approach to aging, incorporating lifelong learning opportunities into daily resident activities, and supporting residents’ interests in the arts, music, dance and fitness. Getting older at United means having the opportunity to stay active, learn new things and ensure your later years are fun, enjoyable and meaningful.
Frank and Marina Vettergreen moved to Garrison Green from St. Albert last November. “Our daughter in Calgary had done research into the various retirement communities, and urged us to move into United’s Garrison Green,” said Marina, who volunteered to sit on the residents council. “We had seen the suites. They were roomy and comfortable, and we liked the idea of having all of our meals handled for us. We like the fact that there are no set meals times and we can sit with whom we want, so there’s a great opportunity to make new friends.”
Now that COVID restrictions are being lifted, Marina and Frank are looking forward to the variety of programming that United is famous for.
Trudy Martin has lived at Garrison Green for five years. “My husband Mel was developing dementia and we couldn’t handle the house and yard any more. We put the house up for sale and moved into Garrison Green,” said Trudy. “The community is in the part of Calgary that we lived in, so we were familiar with the area. Plus we knew several people who had moved here and gave it high marks. Everything is provided for us. It was an easy move for us.”
United Active Living is everything the name implies. The difference is that the residents and the employees are both transformed by the philosophy of developing the whole person. Everyone is given the opportunity to grow and to get enjoyment out of life at United.
“I’m so impressed with the friendliness of the employees,” said Marina. “They know our names and they make sure that the residents who are living with dementia are included in all of the programs.”
Trudy echoes that thought. “I have to give the United Minds program a gold star. They make sure that residents with dementia are included in the meals and the programming. It’s an excellent program.”
Community is all about the people who live there. Living a full life in your later years is a focus at United communities. Programs are designed around the interests of the residents. The art studios are facilitated by professional artists. A kinesiologist leads exercise classes and can also design individual programs. We have a dozen partnerships that give residents opportunities to be involved in different aspects of arts and culture in Calgary – for example Calgary Civic Symphony, Lunchbox Theatre and the Calgary Philharmonic.
If you’ve been thinking about life after retirement, living at United’s Garrison Green community offers a positive solution with a wealth of programs and activities, community support with assisted living and memory care options should you need them.
Photos by United Active Living, Sherana Productions. Videos by Sherana Productions.
Don’t hesitate to talk with one of our active living advisors about life in a United community. They can arrange for a tour at your convenience. If you know a friend or family member who could benefit from living in a United community, send them a link to our website or blog, or arrange a future visit. We are happy to help!
To learn more about life at United’s Fish Creek community, watch this short video.
Or, to find out more about life at United’s Garrison Green, watch this short video.
