In March, Trico LivingWell had the pleasure of sponsoring and attending ‘Voyage Into Vasculature’, an educational session held by Alzheimer Calgary. This session, led by experts in the field from the University of Calgary, explored the relationship between dementia and vascular health, as well as provided some tips to build resilience and protect both our vascular health and cognition.

What is Vascular Disease?

Vascular disease is a condition that affects your vascular system. Your vascular system is the network of arteries and veins that carry blood all over your body. This system has the important role of sending oxygen and nutrients to body tissues.

Vascular Cognitive Impairment

Your heart and brain are connected by the vascular system. If the vessels leading to the brain are blocked, this results in a lack of oxygen than can damage brain cells. Our brain uses oxygen to perform tasks, and so a lack of oxygen impacts our cognition. As more damage occurs, symptoms like forgetfulness become more severe and lead to problems we associate with dementia, like decisioning making, reasoning, and processing information.

According to a study published in Lancet Neurology,  the incidence of dementia is nearly 50 times higher in the year after a major stroke compared to people of the same age who have not had a stroke.

Protecting Your Vascular Health and Cognition

The Heart and Stroke Foundation notes that vascular and mind conditions share many of the same risk factors and strategies for prevention. While there are risk factors out of our control that can impact our vascular health, there are many risk factors that we can mitigate through achievable lifestyle changes. Here are some of the lifestyle risk factors associated with vascular cognitive impairment, and how to combat them, according to The Heart and Stroke Foundation:

Diet

Eating a healthy balanced diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Eating more vegetables and fruit, foods higher in fibre, cutting out salt, choosing healthy fats, cutting added sugar, and eating moderate portions are all adjustments that can be made for a healthier diet. Having a healthy diet can also help you manage your weight, which is key for managing blood pressure and cholesterol.

Quit Smoking

The benefits of quitting smoking can be seen through the statistics. According to the Heart and Stoke Foundation:

• Within 5 years, your risk of having a stroke will be almost the same as a non-smoker
• Within 10 years, the risk of dying from lung cancer is cut in half
• Within 15 years, your risk of heart disease is similar to someone who has never smoked

Get Active

For many of us, sitting is a necessary part of our daily routine – whether it’s driving in a car or sitting at a desk for work, inactivity comes easily in the modern world. However, making time for physical activity is an excellent way to dramatically lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, and prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and more. Even something like a brisk 30-minute walk can greatly benefit your health.

Prioritize Wellness

It is clear that by prioritizing our health, we are able to take care of multiple systems in our body that prevent complications in the future. At Trico LivingWell, we take care of our resident’s health through a strong wellness culture that helps to maintain independence.

You can learn more by booking a meeting with us here.

No material on our website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the medical advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider when undertaking a new health regimen.

Nestled in the Southwest quadrant of Calgary, Kingsland Junction is home to approximately 4,800 residents, including all of us at Trico LivingWell! How did the Kingsland Junction we know and love become what it is today? Before the hustle and bustle of the residential buildings and businesses, this area was acres of farmland owned by Harnam Singh Hari.

Harnam Singh Hari, 1913

“Harnam Singh Hari, driving wagon, De Winton area, Alberta.”, 1913, (CU1102785) by Unknown. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.

In 1909, Harnam Singh immigrated from India to Canada and developed farms in both Kingsland and De Winton. Harnam Singh was Alberta and Calgary’s first Sikh citizen. With significant dedication and effort, he overcame multiple obstacles and grew his business to span the 400-acre spread stretching across what is now Chinook Centre.

In 2014, Calgary honoured his legacy and achievements with Singh Hari Park, located on the land he farmed in Kingsland.

Aerial View of Kingsland, 1958

“Aerial view of Kingsland and Chinook Park areas, Calgary, Alberta.”, 1958-10-15, (CU1132098) by Rosettis Studio. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.

This aerial view of Kingsland looks west at 7th Street and Elbow Drive, with the reservoir framing the communities of Chinook Park and Kingsland. The reservoir was constructed to store a sufficient amount of drinking water for Calgarians and sustain environmental health. In fact, almost half of Calgary’s water supply is drawn from here. Besides these important features, it is also used for recreational activities like sailing.

Kingsland Shopping Centre, 1959

“Kingsland shopping centre, Calgary, Alberta.”, 1959-08-29, (CU1131934) by Rosettis Studio. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.

Located on 75 Avenue and Elbow Drive SW, this quaint shopping complex hosted a variety of businesses. Today, we know this centre as Kingsland Plaza, home to a Shoppers Drug Mart, Cobbs, Starbucks, and more.

Kingsland Rugby Park, 1954

“Calgary Tigers rugby team, Calgary, Alberta.”, 1930, (CU1134507) by Halliday. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.

As rugby blossomed in Calgary and expanded across the province, many games were hosted at the Kingsland Rugby Park. In 1999, the Calgary Rugby Park moved to 9025 Shepard Road SE and is now one of the premier rugby parks in Canada.

 
When it comes to moving to retirement living, it can be difficult to navigate and understand the different levels of care offered. At Trico LivingWell, our Care Philosophy guides how we create safe environments for our residents. Backed by WELL v2 standards, we support our residents in living and aging well through this holistic approach.

Trico LivingWell Care Philosophy

At Trico LivingWell, our care team of highly skilled RN’s, LPN’s, and HCA’s use a social model of care services that takes person-centred care to the relationship level. We create Personalized Wellness Care Plans in collaboration with our residents, their families & friends, and their care partners to address the resident’s needs, preferences, and levels of assistance required. Here are a few of the different ways we provide care to our residents at Trico LivingWell:

Assisted Living at Trico LivingWell

Trico LivingWell’s assisted living rental suites include daily living hospitality services and wellness programming with access to personalized care and supportive services. Access to Alberta Health Services are included in our assisted living pricing.

Additionally, personal care services such as reminders around medication, bathing, morning and evening care and night checks are all available as a part of assisted living at Trico LivingWell.

Complimentary Care at Trico LivingWell

At Trico LivingWell, we recognize that each resident has a unique aging journey and may require more care services based on their personal health and wellness. Accordingly, we’ve partnered with the following healthcare providers to provide service in-house at pre-arranged times:

• Visiting Physicians
• Visiting Podiatrists/Foot Nurses
• Visiting Dentists & Denturists
• Visiting Audiologists/Optometrists
• Visiting Massage Therapists & Chiropractors
• Access to Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy through Alberta Health Services
• Dedicated Pharmacy Service for filling prescriptions

Our team also provides a variety of services in-house, such as nutrition, personal care, medication management, bathing, continence, and mobility (ambulation and transfer for a fee).

Alberta Health Services (AHS) Support

Our residents can opt in for Alberta Health Care Services – Home Care, which provides publicly funded personal and health care services to those living in a private home or older adult residence. With the philosophy “live better staying longer”, this program promotes independence and supplements care and support provided by our team.

For more information, call 811 or visit AHS’s website.

Emotional Care

At Trico LivingWell, we do this through programs such as our Emotional Wellness Series. We’ve partnered with Centro Geriatrics to bring our community eight educational sessions that build resilience to cope with anxiety, depression, grief, loneliness, and life transitions associated with aging.

This series is open to the public and we encourage you to join us! If you would like to attend, please send an email to rsvp@tricolivingwell.com and indicate which sessions you are interested in participating in.

Learn More About Our Care Services

If you’d like to learn more about the care services we offer at Trico LivingWell, you can book a meeting with us here.

 
Visiting home can be a nostalgic and emotional experience. As you walk through the front door, you’re transported back to a different time. As you wander through the kitchen, maybe you remember the smell of your favourite fresh baked cookies, or the time you helped your parents prepare a feast for the holidays. Every corner of a room, each creak of a staircase, and the sound of familiar voices hold memories that shaped your childhood.

Coming home can hold some difficult emotions for us as well. For many adult children, visiting home leads to seeing some noticeable differences in their parents. Maybe the house isn’t as tidy as it used to be, or there is a pile of unopened mail on the table. Maybe your parents are struggling to get up the stairs they use to navigate with ease or are unable to use the stove. This shift will lead many adult children to the realization that their parents are struggling to live independently. At this point, it’s time to have the conversation about moving to retirement living.

Starting The Conversation

While this conversation may cause you a lot of anxiety and uncertainty, it is important to realize that your parents might be feeling this way, too. The same memories about your childhood home that you hold dear are also important to your parents. They could be feeling vulnerable and scared thinking about having to leave a place that holds such sentimental value.

• Approach this conversation with empathy. Acknowledge that it will likely bring up difficult emotions.
• Acknowledge that there may be many reasons that your parent doesn’t want to move.
• Ensure your parents that you want them to be actively involved in the search.
• Bring up the positive reasons for moving to retirement living, like opportunities to make new friends, reduced stress around cooking and cleaning, and the option to receive care services that will prioritize their health, and safety.
• Be patient: you should be ready to have the conversation more than once.
• Start this conversation earlier than later. Having an established plan in place ensures that you and your loved ones do not have to make the move in reaction to an accident, injury, or illness in the future.

Do The Research

Once your parents have come to the decision to move to retirement living, answer the following questions to create a checklist to ask prospective communities as you search:

• Determine what type of care your parents require to ensure you find them the right suite:
  • Do your parents simply wish to downsize, with amenities and services close by? Consider independent living.
  • Do your parents want a little bit of help with housekeeping, but don’t require additional care services? Consider inclusive living, a NEW lifestyle option at Trico LivingWell.
  • Do your parents require care services? Consider assisted living.
  • Do your parents need support with dementia or other cognitive conditions? Consider memory care.

• Ask your parents what makes a place feel like home:
  • What do they need in a suite to make them comfortable?
  • Will they require meals?
  • What are their dietary concerns?
  • Would they like a full kitchen, or would a kitchenette be enough?
  • What kind of activities do they like?

There may be points in this journey where you and your parents disagree. If you face this challenge, it never hurts to bring in another perspective from a different family member or caregiver should your parents need another opinion.

Touring A Community

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to tour some communities. For a productive tour, come with a sense of:

• What your timeframe is.
• What your budget looks like.
• The social activities your parents enjoy.
• The type of care required.
• The downsizing process – many retirement communities will provide referrals for moving services. At Trico LivingWell, we have several programs that will help make your moving process stress-free.

Don’t be afraid to express your concerns around your parents move. A good community will address these concerns and more!

Join us at Trico LivingWell Today

While having the conversation about moving to retirement living can be hard, remember that this move is meant to support your parents in maintaining their independence for longer, not taking it away. At Trico LivingWell, we believe in supporting our resident’s independence through a strong wellness culture that prioritizes health, wellness, and quality of life. For us, independence is all about choice – in activities, dining, and healthcare services, all in a safe and healthy environment.

We’d love for you to join us for a tour and help you find the best home for your loved one. To book a tour, visit https://tricolivingwell.com/meetings/

There are a large number of Canadian seniors who face the challenges of Independent Living, but do not require all the services of Assisted Living. At Trico LivingWell, we have the perfect solution to bridge the gap between both of these living options: Inclusive Living. New to Trico LivingWell, Inclusive Living offers older adults flexible support. They need to continue pursuing their passions in comfort and confidence. If you find yourself feeling similar to the sentiments below, Inclusive Living is a perfect retirement option for you.

Top 5 Reasons To Choose Inclusive Living

1. Leave Cooking Behind

Inclusive Living is perfect for those who want to make the most of our diverse wellness cuisine. Our culinary team, led by award-winning Executive Chef Liana Robberecht, is proud to serve up a mouth-watering variety of nutritious meals that reflect a range of dietary needs. Inclusive Living offers two delicious meals daily in the Trico LivingWell restaurant, bistro, or lounge for our residents to enjoy. The two meals included can be used toward breakfast, lunch, or dinner, for added flexibility that accommodates your schedule. The possibilities are endless – whether you want to enjoy a meal out with friends or take advantage of the kitchenette in your private suite, the choice is yours.

2. Leave The Home Maintenance & Cleaning To Us

One of the biggest obstacles to home ownership as we age is home maintenance. We take care of the various tasks that come with this so that you can enjoy the retirement you’ve earned. With a convenient in-suite washer and dryer, weekly light housekeeping & flat linen services, and utilities included, you can focus on loving your days in comfort and confidence.

3. Enjoy On-Site Programs & Amenities

With cooking, cleaning, and home maintenance taken care of, you’ll have more time to enjoy our on-site programming and amenities with wonderful new friends. Through daily scheduled activities and collaborations with leading academic, arts, and cultural organizations in Calgary. Our residents enjoy an array of in-house and external programming that supports active living and lifelong learning. This includes music appreciation, art, gardening, and more. If you do not want to participate in a structured activity, we have a dedicated amenity space where you can fuel your passions and discover new interests while exploring our walking paths, theatre, spa, and more at your leisure.

4. Security & Safety Is A Priority 

Our concrete-constructed building is fitted with advanced safety, accessibility, and technology features to foster safety and security as well as great social connection. For your safety, we have secured entrances with patrolled security, video surveillance, and FOB access. To ensure that you stay healthy, every residential fan coil unit and our common areas have MERV13 filters to ensure superior air quality. When living alone, one worry you may face is how to get help when an emergency arises. At Trico LivingWell, our 24/7 on-site care team is available to respond and ensure you receive the support you need.

5. Ability To Transition to Assisted Living

At Trico LivingWell, we work diligently to support our resident’s independence through a strong wellness culture that supports health and quality of life. Regardless of the living option you require, we ensure that choice and convenience are available so that you can pursue the lifestyle you wish. Should you decide that you require our assisted living services it’s truly just an administrative shift. You can stay right in your suite, no moving required.

Interested in learning more about Inclusive Living? You can check out more here or book a visit to come see what we have to offer in person by clicking here.

At Trico LivingWell: A Year In Review

Check out these highlights from our community over the past year in review!

January – Lunar New Year celebrations with lunch at Clover Living and a blessing from Jingwo YYC.

February – Kicked off paint nights with special guest Sue Deyell from Global Calgary.

March – Hosted an exclusive art exhibit “The Grandmothers” created by local artist Veronika Funk.

April – Delicious Easter brunch with festive pinatas to welcome spring.

May – Enjoyed some delicious BBQ in good company while planting our community garden.

June – GlobalFest Groves Mini One World Festival came to Trico LivingWell.

July – Start Stampede off right with a delicious spread featuring pancakes, bacon, eggs, and more!

August – Celebrated our first anniversary with a delicious dinner, casino, and photo booth.

September – Hosted our fall open house where we raised funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.

October – Residents and staff participated in the Alzheimer Walk & Run and helped raise over $5,000 to support local families impacted by dementia.

November – ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen for Global News’ “Morning of Giving” Cookie Sale! Over $50,000 was raised for the Magic of Christmas to deliver gifts and food hampers to families in need.

December – Hosted a holiday dinner full of delicious food and drink. A live harp performance made this evening even more magical.

Retirement Planning

Home is where the heart is – it’s a place where we experience many firsts and create many memories. As a result, coming to terms with the fact that our homes may no longer be functional or safe for us as we age can be an upsetting realization.

A lot of attachment to our homes can come from a fear of losing independence. In reality, choosing to move can be the key to preserving independence. While we associate activities like running errands, cooking meals, dressing, and cleaning our homes with maintaining independence, these can quickly go from daily responsibilities to daily adversities when we no longer have the mobility to complete them.

Once we’ve realized that it’s time to make the change, moving becomes the next barrier for many older adults looking at retirement living. While this can feel overwhelming, many retirement communities have resources and connections to make moving as efficient as possible. At Trico LivingWell, we are happy to recommend service providers who can assist you with every part of the process – downsizing, selling your current home, moving, unpacking, and setting up. Once you’ve arrived, Trico LivingWell supports its resident’s independence through a strong wellness culture that prioritizes health, wellness, and quality of life. At Trico LivingWell, independence is all about choice – in activities, dining, and healthcare services, all in a safe and healthy environment.

Maintain Independence Through Activities

One of the best ways to maintain independence is through lifelong learning! Trico LivingWell’s in-house and external programming gives our residents the convenience and support they need to continue doing what they love. With a wide variety of activities ranging from music to art to gardening, there is something for everyone.

Maintain Independence Through Fitness

Staying active goes hand in hand with good health and wellness, two crucial components that help us remain independent for longer. Trico LivingWell hosts daily fitness classes led by professional instructors and specialists focused on fun first – with added movements for balance, mobility, and slip and fall prevention.

Maintain Independence Through On-Site Health Care Services

Sometimes, continuing to be able to do the things you love requires some additional support as we age. That’s why we offer flexible options and amenities at Trico LivingWell. By assisting with nutrition, medication management, bathing, housekeeping, and more, we ensure that our residents choose how they age in place.

Ensure The Choice Is Yours

Sometimes, life throws us unexpected curve balls like accidents, injury, or illness. When you have an established plan in place, this ensures that the choice is yours. You also avoid putting your loved ones in the position of having to make decisions on your behalf. Through some research and planning, you can ensure that you find a retirement living option that allows you to age with purpose and passion while living in comfort and confidence.

Our team would love to continue the conversation about retirement living and answer any questions you may have about this. To book a tour or to find out more, click here.

Benefits of Downsizing to a Retirement Community

The emotions that come with moving to retirement living can be complex. How do honor our past and the memories we’ve made, while moving forward into a new chapter of life? One of the first ways to ease the anxiety associated with moving to retirement living is to dispel some of the myths around this.

Retirement living is not just for older adults who require extra care, and it does not mean that you have to give up your independence. At Trico LivingWell, we empower our residents to maintain their independence through a strong wellness culture that allows them to pursue an active lifestyle. One of the perks of living at Trico LivingWell is the choices available to you – whether you’d like to opt in for our dining, recreation programming, fitness, wellness, and more, you get to pick what suits your lifestyle best.

Despite having an exciting new community to explore, you may find it difficult to know where to start when it comes to downsizing. It can be overwhelming to be unsure of how many possessions you’ve acquired over a lifetime.

Getting Prepared

It can be easy to get distracted thinking about all the different objects and rooms in the house – the pots and pans in the kitchen, the old winter coats in the basement, and then the tricycle in the attic. To avoid becoming overwhelmed, make a list of each room in your house and cross rooms off as you organize. Don’t move on to the next room until you’ve finished the entire room. This will help you stay organized!

The Pile System

To sort more efficiently, we recommend making five piles: keep, give away, sell, throw out, and store.

Keep

When considering what to bring to your new home, ask yourself the following: What space do I have in my new suite? What hospitality services are included? At Trico LivingWell, we have comprehensive accommodation services including utilities, maintenance, security, housekeeping, flat linen service, and more included in our base fee. Accordingly, new residents may opt to not keep the majority of their cleaning products when joining our community.

Give Away

Giving away some of your items is a great way to declutter. When it comes to giving items away, there are many different possibilities. You could invite friends and family over to help you sort and allow them to take what they’d like. Or, you could donate some items to charity. Many charities have pick-up services to help with coordinating this process.

Sell

If you would like to make some extra money while getting rid of a few items, there are many ways to begin selling. Garage sales are a great way to get rid of some possessions while also celebrating the move with your neighbors. Online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and eBay are all convenient places to sell things locally. Consignment stores offer a unique opportunity to earn money, and whatever does not get sold will go to charity.

Throw Away

Throughout our lives, we tend to accumulate more than we need. Consider throwing away or recycling things that cannot be donated or sold.

Put In Storage

Consider renting a storage unit for bigger items, seasonal items, and/or family heirlooms. Trico LivingWell has secure storage available year-round in our heated, underground parkade. 

Trico LivingWell is happy to recommend service providers that can assist you with everything from downsizing, to selling your current home, to moving and helping you unpack and set up your new home. To learn more, book a tour and come visit us today!

Winter Preparation Tips For Older Adults

There are many things to love about winter. From cozying up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate to strolling through a holiday market, the season can bring a lot of joy, restoration, and relaxation to our lives.

While winter can certainly be a wonderful time of year, this season also comes with its challenges, especially for older adults. Increased darkness and worsening weather conditions leave many older adults isolated. For older adults living far away from loved ones, the amount of time spent with family and friends can decrease drastically, which can lead to loneliness and depression. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to help the older adults in your life combat these challenges during the winter season.

Stock Up on Supplies for Your Loved One

Older adults may have a harder time running errands during the winter given the weather and limited access to transportation. With the weather also comes ice, which can pose a fall hazard for older adults looking to venture into the community. If possible, make time to help your loved one by helping pick up the essentials, like groceries, medication, and other household supplies. If this is not a feasible course of action, consider getting your loved one set up with a weekly meal kit service, like Meals on Wheels. Getting to know your loved ones’ neighbors can also help to ensure they have someone who can check on them when you are unable to make the trip.

Set Up Weekly Video Calls

Video calls are a great way to keep in contact with your loved ones when the weather makes it impossible to meet up consistently. Take some time ahead of the winter season to show your loved one how to operate video call equipment like Skype or Zoom on the electronic device of their choice. This is a great way to increase social connection when face-to-face contact isn’t possible.

Discuss Making the Move to Assisted Living

A 2015 Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation article notes that people using mobility devices saw a decrease in community participation during the winter. This was due to several environmental barriers, including becoming stuck in the snow, cold hands when trying to push buttons, slipping on the ice, and difficulty with inclines and ramps. As older adults face increased mobility issues as a result of the weather, consider having the conversation about moving to an assisted living residence. For older adults who require support with day-to-day activities, the convenience that comes with in-house amenities and care services can help relieve your loved one’s anxiety and stress.

At Trico LivingWell, not only does our assisted living program offer comprehensive accommodations, personalized care services, and diverse dining options, but weekly enrichment programming and activities that support active living, community building, and lifelong learning. Our building has also been designed with safety and mobility in mind – with heated sidewalks to prevent falls, suites featuring barrier-free bathrooms and doorways, and a 24/7 onsite emergency healthcare response, we ensure that your loved one has everything they need to enjoy the best parts of the winter season.

Book a tour with us today to learn more Winter Preparation Tips For Older Adults!

Preparing for cold and flu season

Autumn is truly a magical time of year. As the leaves begin to change colors and fall to the ground, they provide a sense of peace and serenity. The air is cool and crisp, and the smell of wood smoke and pumpkin spice fills the air. It’s a time of transition, where the world prepares to hibernate for the winter. While autumn is a time of beauty, peace, and hope, it does beckon the approach of colder months, and cold and flu season. Accordingly, older adults need to take extra precautions to stay healthy during this time.

Below are some tips and tricks to help preparing for cold and flu season:

1. Get vaccinated:

The flu vaccine is highly recommended for older adults as it can help prevent serious complications from the flu, like pneumonia. At Trico LivingWell, we provide influenza shots on-site for all residents on an annual basis to keep our community safe and healthy.

2. Avoid crowds:

Being in large groups in poorly ventilated spaces can increase your chance of catching the flu. At Trico LivingWell, one of the ways we mitigate this risk is through our air filtration system – individual fan coils, heat recovery ventilators, and HEPA filters maximize our air quality and flow to keep residents healthy.

3. Stay warm:

Dress in warm layers to keep your body temperature regulated. This can help reduce the risk of catching a cold. Be sure to layer your clothing for the ease of being able to bundle up in the chilly mornings and shed some layers as the sun shines in the afternoon.

4. Stay hydrated:

Dehydration is an often-overlooked health risk for older adults, given that as we age, our bodies naturally contain less water than children or even younger adults. Water is necessary for nearly every bodily function and plays a role in keeping our immune system strong.

5. Stay active:

Exercise helps boost your immune system and keep you feeling your best. Try going for a walk or doing some light stretching. At Trico LivingWell, we offer our residents access to our wellness center as well as a variety of fun exercise classes to stay active.