The path to innovation

From the outset, United Active Living set out to build something different. It wasn’t enough to simply create a retirement home where seniors could live: it had to be an integrated community where older adults could truly thrive.

Innovation became the cornerstone of United’s approach, shaping not only the physical spaces but also the programs, partnerships, and culture that define each community. As the communities evolved, United continued to push boundaries, most recently expanding in 2024 with the acquisition of three additional communities in Calgary. This growth marked not just an increase in size, but a renewed opportunity to reimagine what senior living can be: deeply personalized, creative, and rooted in connection.

For the past two years, United has been turning team member ideas into action through its annual Innovation Fair, an initiative originally introduced and championed by Kathy Cleary, VP of Strategic Projects, and Jamie Fewchuk, Director of Innovation in Aging. The Fair invites team members to pitch creative solutions that enhance workflow, elevate the resident experience, and advance innovation in aging.

“From health and wellness, to environmental services, to creative expression, no idea is off the table,” says Jamie. “Our team members have brought us really interesting and innovative ideas to consider, whether it streamlines our operations, or brings joy to the residents and team members, it adds value to our communities. We want the United experience to be like no other, and we all have something meaningful to contribute.” Jamie continues, “The Innovation Fair gives team members the opportunity to bring their ideas to light. This year we had 70 entries across the five communities. We also had residents at each community vote for their favourites. It’s a great way to get everyone invested and involved. We’re so excited to see the Innovation Fair evolve.”

Angela Elia, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at United, says her win at last year’s Innovation Fair was completely unexpected, but the experience quickly became about much more than the idea itself. Her concept, a cooking video featuring a resident and a team member preparing a favourite recipe together, turned into a meaningful project.

“Winning was a complete surprise. I had the seed of an idea, but truthfully, I had no idea how to make it happen. The learning process of creating a cooking show from scratch was a real challenge. Where do you start? What tools do you need? Who do you invite to be part of the project?” Angela reflects, “But it was a lot of fun too. Ultimately, it is a project about connection between our residents and team members, and how the simple act of cooking and sharing a meal brings people together.”

Watch the first installment of United’s “What’s Cookin’” series here. 

Her advice to future United innovators? “Share your ideas, even if you don’t know how to begin. Chances are, there’s someone on the team who can help bring your project to life.”

This year’s panel of judges include:

· Catherine Laing, Vice President, Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation and Quality, The Brenda Strafford Foundation

· Larry Mathieson, President and CEO, Unison at the Kerby Centre

· Kim O’Brien, President and CEO, United Active Living

· Anastasiia Stepanchuk, PhD. Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Calgary, Innovator with Alberta Innovates, Director of Ol.Facto

The 2025 Innovation Fair finalists are as broad and varied as the team members in each community. From bringing advanced technology to residents, to enhancing wellness services with collaborative tools across teams, to emotional support programs, the Innovation Fair brought exciting ideas to the panel.

Here’s a glimpse of the top five ideas:

Fish Creek – Navigating grief with United
Create a resource that provides residents and employees with personalized support to meet their unique needs while navigating the journey through loss.

Garrison Green – Virtual Reality for older adults
Introduce a virtual reality tool that offers residents, especially those living with a cognitive impairment, immersive experiences in a safe and accessible way.

Lake Bonavista Village – Wellness-integrated housekeeping
Launch a digital housekeeping platform that empowers the team to serve as proactive care partners, supporting resident wellness, assisting the wellness team, enhancing the resident experience, and elevating overall care.

The Lodge at Valley Ridge – Grow with us: a clear path to your future
Develop a formal mentorship program that connects United employees with mentors, identifies education pathways, and maps out clear career growth opportunities.

Trinity Lodge – Waste reduction
Provide dedicated waste bag dispensers in each suite to reduce unnecessary spending on garbage bags and limit the discarding of unused bags.

Residents, team members, and judges spent the afternoon connecting with the finalists and exploring their innovative ideas. After much deliberation, the judges awarded top honours to Lake Bonavista Village’s submission. As Kim O’Brien noted, the wellness-integrated housekeeping platform stood out for its ability to bring teams together across the community and provide valuable tools to monitor and enhance the resident experience. By weaving wellness into daily operations, the platform promises to support both residents and team members in achieving their shared goals of health, balance, and overall well-being.'

Julie Curioso, Housekeeping Supervisor at Lake Bonavista Village, is no stranger to innovation. “I wanted to find a tool that gives us the opportunity to share information across our entire team,” she explained. “Because our housekeeping team is working in resident suites regularly, we are often the first to notice changes. We can help play a proactive role in supporting residents as their health and care needs change. We’ll be able to communicate important details quickly and efficiently, which means residents will enjoy a better overall experience.”

General Manager Praveen Joshi praised his colleague’s forward-thinking approach. “Julie is an innovator, and we couldn’t be more proud of her efforts. We are excited to see this idea come to life in the community. It will be an incredible asset for our teams and, most importantly, for our residents.”

We’re excited to bring the winning idea to life, and just as thrilled about the possibilities the Innovation Fair continues to unlock. This is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we transform ideas into action across our communities.