Blog | November 4, 2025

6 Standards to Look for When Choosing a Retirement Residence in Calgary

When searching for the right retirement residence in Calgary, it’s important to come prepared with the right questions. Knowing what truly matters when exploring retirement residences can make all the difference. While beautiful buildings and amenities catch the eye, it’s the deeper details—wellness, dining, connection, and care—that determine quality of life.

This guide outlines the six standards that define exceptional senior living and how Trico LivingWell meets each one with intention and heart.

1. Parking and Accessibility

Accessibility isn’t just about convenience; it’s about comfort, confidence, and peace of mind. Residents and families should feel welcome from the moment they arrive.

The Gold Standard
Choose a community that offers safe, accessible, and well-designed parking for residents and visitors. Pay extra attention to features such as lighting, security, and ease of access to entrances.

Trico LivingWell’s Approach
Trico LivingWell offers a heated underground parkade for residents, providing year-round comfort and protection from Calgary’s changing seasons. Visitors have complimentary access to this parkade. Both resident and visitor areas are monitored by 24/7 security, ensuring a safe and secure environment for everyone who calls Trico LivingWell home.

2. Dining Experience and Menu Flexibility

Dining is more than just nutrition—it’s a highlight of the day for many residents and an important cornerstone of overall wellbeing.

The Gold Standard
Look for communities that offer flexibility and variety: a rotating menu, chef-designed options, and consideration for dietary needs and restrictions Residents should have real choice and meaningful input into what’s served.

Trico LivingWell’s Approach
At Trico LivingWell, choice is everything. The Oak offers an a la carte dining experience, where residents choose from a seasonal, chef-inspired menu. The Birch provides an all-inclusive three-meal plan, designed for convenience and balance. Across both, residents enjoy meals crafted with fresh ingredients, beautiful presentation, and genuine hospitality. Food here isn’t just routine—it’s a daily pleasure.

3. Amenities and the Balance of Living

The right community nurtures both comfort and purpose. Amenities should promote active, engaged living with spaces that are as functional as they are inspiring.

The Gold Standard
Seek communities that offer:

On-site wellness programs that cater to various abilities
Spacious suites designed for comfort and accessibility
Diverse social programs that foster a sense of belonging
Direct access to coordinated healthcare services

Trico LivingWell’s Approach
Trico LivingWell’s WELL Gold Certification ensures that every aspect of our community supports whole-person wellness—physically, socially, and emotionally. Our on-site wellness programs align with WELL standards for movement and mental health, promoting activity for all ability levels. Spacious, accessible suites are designed for comfort, light, and safety, enhancing daily living.

Through WELL’s focus on community and connection, residents enjoy diverse social programs that foster belonging and purpose, while coordinated healthcare services and on-site nursing reflect WELL’s commitment to holistic, integrated wellbeing.

Together, these elements create a living environment where health and happiness are built into every detail.

4. Safety and Security

Feeling safe is fundamental to living well.

The Gold Standard
Look for communities with 24/7 staffing, robust emergency response systems, and a personalized approach to safety – one that protects without feeling clinical.

Trico LivingWell’s Approach
Trico LivingWell combines around-the-clock security monitoring with the support of on-site nurses and health care aides, along with advanced emergency call systems and a thoughtful design that promotes safety and serenity. Our goal is simple: to provide peace of mind, knowing that help is always available whenever it’s needed.

5. Community Engagement

True wellness comes from belonging, The best communities offer more than just activities; they offer opportunities for purpose, friendship, and joy.

The Gold Standard
Look for a residence that features a wide range of daily social events, from arts workshops and fitness classes to group outings. This is vital for fostering a sense of belonging and enhancing emotional well-being.

Trico LivingWell’s Approach
We create community intentionally. From daily recreation and lifelong learning to family events and intergenerational programs, residents feel encouraged to connect in ways that feel natural and meaningful. This is where community thrives.

We also engage in the greater Calgary community through meaningful partnerships.

6. Location and Nearby Amenities

Location shapes experience. The best communities balance calm surroundings with access to everything that keeps life active and convenient.

The Gold Standard
Look for communities close to parks, shops, services, and transit. These offer independence and ease for residents and families.

Trico LivingWell’s Approach
Situated in Calgary’s Kingsland neighbourhood, Trico LivingWell offers the best of both worlds—peaceful living with easy access to nearby shopping, healthcare, and cultural amenities. Everything residents need is just a short walk or drive away.

Why Trico LivingWell Stands Out

Among the many retirement residences in Calgary, Trico LivingWell stands apart for one simple reason: we see senior living differently. Our approach blends wellness, purpose, and hospitality to create a truly modern retirement experience.:

Innovative Design: Trico LivingWell is the first retirement community in Canada to pursue a WELL v2 Certification at the Gold Level, ensuring our building actively supports resident health and wellness.
The Power of Choice: From a la carte dining and personalized care plans to a diverse calendar of programs, residents design their own version of living well.
True Continuum of Living: With independent living, assisted living, and memory care under one roof, residents can stay in the same communitiy as their needs change, surrounded by familiar faces and support. At Trico LivingWell, we’re weaving together people and purpose, creating a community that thrives.

If you’re looking for a community that redefines aging with dignity, connection, and choice, we invite you to visit Trico LivingWell and experience the difference firsthand.. Contact us today to schedule a tour.