“We fell in love with it right away!”
Inger Copland, who lives with husband Bill Fennell at United’s Fish Creek West, recalls the day they visited the Fish Creek community during an open house in 2016.
“Bill and I had been talking about making a move from our home, but we weren’t sure what that would look like,” said Inger.
They saw an ad for Fish Creek in the newspaper and toured the new community during an open house. “We didn’t need to look anywhere else,” she said. “This is exactly what we wanted.”
Inger and Bill put their home up for sale and it sold within a few days, which put them in a bind. “We thought it would take longer, which would allow us to move in October when the suites would be ready,” said Inger. “Management was very kind and allowed us to move in August, so we were the first ones to move into Fish Creek West.”
The community took a unique approach when it was planned. Fish Creek West is designed for independent living, while Fish Creek North is intended for those who need extra assistance.
Inger and Bill chose a one-bedroom, two-bath suite on the fourth floor facing the mountains. They were married in 1998. Bill, who retired some 15 years ago after careers in construction and financial management had a condo in Mckenzie’s Mountain Park Estates. Inger was born and raised in Norway, but moved to San Francisco in 1962. She worked for Norwegian Cruise Lines and met Bill on a cruise. She moved to Calgary after they were married.
“Inger likes to paint and really likes the art studio. She has produced some very impressive paintings since we moved here,” said Bill. “I have Parkinson’s so I exercise in the fitness studio, and we’re very close to Fish Creek Park, so I can walk there when the weather is nice. When we lived in our house, we were often by ourselves. Here, there are other residents, so you never have to be alone.”
Both Inger and Bill are impressed with the quality of the programs available to residents. “There is more opportunity to do more things,” said Bill. He plays cribbage in the evenings while Inger pursues her painting in the art studio. Bill also enjoys the political discussions with visiting academics. “We wouldn’t have those if we still lived at home,” said Bill.
Both Inger and Bill are working with students from nearby St. Mary’s University who are involved in a writing program similar to United’s writers-in-residence program, which has been operating for several years with students from Mount Royal University. The students conduct interviews, and are considering producing a book and a video about the residents’ lives.
Interested in learning more about life at Fish Creek? We’re having an open house in the community on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. so be sure to mark your calendar and let your friends and family know.
If you plan on coming out, please let us know at rsvp@unitedactiveliving.com or call us at 403-471-3735.
Photos by United Active Living, Video by Sherana Productions.
Do 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 tour. We are happy to help!
To learn more about life at United’s Fish Creek community, watch this short video.
Fish Creek offers something most other older adult communities don’t – a focus on independence with a touch of support if residents find it necessary. And that’s what attracted Landis and Sharyn Krause to their new home in 
Just down the hall from Landis and Sharyn are Bill and Dagmar van Stam. When Dagmar had a stroke and needed a wheelchair to get around, their house in Midnapore no longer worked for them. The mobility-friendly suite designs and amenities at Fish Creek sold them on the idea of moving.
Bill and Dagmar, both 69, moved into their suite a year ago. Bill continues to work part time as a baker. They cook most of their own meals but will often take guests to the dining room. The heated underground parking, rather than their old detached garage, makes winters easier. They don’t need to access any of the extra health care available in the community, but should that become necessary in the future, they are pleased that a Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurses are available. They also like the dining and activities available. After selling their house, they chose United’s Life Lease. “Other than our normal day-to-day expenses, our major housing expenses are now looked after,” said Bill.
United’s signature Arts and Culture program features 
“Today’s older adults have higher expectations about where they will live in their later years,” said Gail Hinchliffe, president, United Active Living. “What we have come to expect in a traditional nursing home has been replaced by communities that offer more. While the common expectation is that older adults will ‘age in place’, often the home a person has lived in for many years is no longer the best option for them. Instead, the focus should be on ‘aging in community’ where there is more support to ensure that a person ages well.”
“It’s important to us that residents feel at home,” said Gail. “As such, our Life Lease program, our lifestyle programs and activities, our five-star dining options with complete dining flexibility really promote that feeling of home, where the residents are in control. Don’t feel like cooking 
“Lately I’m seeing a lot of families who have waited too long,” said Gail Hinchliffe, president, United Active Living. “It’s laudable to want to keep a parent at home, especially if they continue to be independent. But it’s heartbreaking when a family comes to us after the person’s health has deteriorated. What a difference it would have made if they had started their search earlier.”
“Often the deterioration in cognitive or physical ability can be slow to recognize. It sneaks up on you,” said Bridget Coulter, United Minds coordinator for United’s Garrison Green community. “Often the older adult doesn’t recognize the weight they are placing on the family. And the family doesn’t see it either – at first. It can start out with help getting dressed and maybe some meal preparation, but at some point the family members find themselves spending more and more time with the parent until they are forced into a decision to leave the family home. By then they may find themselves with limited options.”
“Watching someone who was so withdrawn interact again with people and activities is so rewarding,” said Bridget. “It’s because our 
Canada has 36 million people. About 5 million are over 65.
