These beautiful summer days that stretch into warm oblivion inspire nostalgia—and the need to start a summer project! What better time to take advantage of the air conditioned inside, or a breezy afternoon on the patio, and reminisce over some old photographs? Perhaps it’s too many evenings in front of HGTV, but we’re feeling inspired! Forget photo albums and shoeboxes, from candles to clothes, we’ve got seven creative ideas for your old photographs.1.

1. Ceramic tiles with whimsical sayings and pretty pictures are gift store staples. Why not create our own from photos that mean something to you and hang or stand real memories around your home? Follow these DIY steps for custom ceramic tiles from Brit+Co.

2. Still into sending letters or paper invitations? We love this DIY photo envelope liner idea from Paiges of Style to personalize each and every piece of mail!

3. Make Memory Candles with this DIY tutorial that turns old photographs into personalized glass candle holders using black and white photocopies, transparent contact paper, and dollar store votive holders.

4. Then there’s the tried-and-true photobooks, custom printed calendars, and wall prints. From Staples to London Drugs and several online options, you can turn your pile of prints into coffee table books, usable family calendars, and fine art.

5. Create family heirlooms like a picturesque family tree or a personalized photo map that depicts where in the world you’ve been, and where you’re from, through photo history.

6. Really feeling crafty? From skirts to shirts, you can even turn vintage photographs into wearable, custom art!

7. Still have negatives? Turn those into art, too! See Pinterest.ca for a plethora of ideas. But first, make sure you digitize them to preserve the images in case you want to print them at a later date.

Before you dive in though, protect your prints to save those memories forever:

Step One: Scan all pictures into a computer or external hard drive.

Step Two: Upload to the cloud (iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive), just in case!

Step Three: Then sort and ensure each one is digitally labeled so you’ll never forget who, when or where. And neither will your children this way, when they have a neat, organized way of viewing their history—and in a format they actually might, rather than an old, cluttered shoebox!

Happy crafting!

Retirement can feel like an elusive stage of life. Laced with promise and the excitement of freedom from life’s responsibilities finally, it can also be a source of anxiety-inducing uncertainty. How will you afford everything you need for the rest of your life? Do you have to work later just to afford necessities in this economy? How will you spend your days if you’re not working? Will you be forced into the cliché picture of four o’clock dinners and crib every night?

Below we bust the five financial and life myths that seniors are led to believe about what retirement living looks like.

Myth #1: Retirement residence food is uninspired

Food is an extremely important aspect for seniors when they are thinking of moving into a residence. While the consensus is it’s the same re-heated frozen entrée every night, Verve Senior Living residences pride themselves on chef-inspired dining that starts with incorporating fresh, locally sourced ingredients that serve a nutritional purpose along with their tasty end result as part of our Living Loving Local program. Our chefs and dining room team also aim to get to know your personal preferences, for an inspired experience every meal.

Myth #2: Retirement residence living is unaffordable

It’s a common belief that independent and assisted retirement living in a community are more expensive than home care. However, it’s important to factor in the costs of homeownership like mortgages, as well as the human cost of general indoor/outdoor maintenance. You might have to bring in someone to mow the lawn as you age, or take over the weekly cleaning. All those costs are already factored into your retirement residence fees. You can use the pool without having to “pay extra”, food is always on the table, and the stress of home ownership is a thing of the past.

Myth #3: Retirement residences living signals a loss of freedom

Au contraire! Think of it as cruise ship living, all the time. There’s always someone to make the meals and take care of your quarters; and not having to do those things means more time to pursue the hobbies, fitness and extra-curriculars you love—and even those you’ve always wanted to but haven’t had the time for! Support at Verve Senior Living is there when you need it, and there’s a comfort in knowing a team of professionals is on hand encouraging you to participate in life.

Myth #4: Health and wellness decline in retirement residences

Verve Senior Living’s Life Enrichment programs, professional support team, in-house chefs, and amenities are all designed to encourage an active, inspired life. From the purposefully built memory care households to our independent living apartments, every Verve community promotes engagement, safety, and specially designed seniors’ programming for health and wellness.

Myth #5: It’s never going to feel like home in a retirement residence

We can’t replace or replicate the memories you’ve made in your home, but we strive to create an inspiring environment with warm, caring support and the option to personalize your space, connect with your neighbours, and engage in activities. We want to encourage your independence, however that may look, and family and friends are always welcome at Verve Senior Living! We recognize that being social is imperative to happy, healthy living.

Take a tour of a Verve Senior Living residence near you today to discover what inspired senior living looks like.

Making friends can be difficult at any stage of life, but as we get older responsibilities pile on, our routines and beliefs get more ingrained, and it can become even harder to make friends. But that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. In fact, retirement residences are one of the best places to foster new friendships. Yes, the transition from the family home to start over in a new place is daunting, but it’s also the beginning of an exciting new chapter with endless opportunities to make meaningful connections for your overall mind-body-spirit wellbeing.

We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite tips for seniors to make friends and help you navigate these new halls. Try one, or all, and just wait: Your calendar will be filled up before you know it!

1. We don’t serve chef-inspired meals just for their culinary excellence! Meals at Verve Senior Living are meant to be shared. Mealtime is the perfect time to sit down next to someone new, or that you’ve always wanted to connect with, and dig in—to the food and conversation. Bonus: a built-in conversation starter is on the table right in front of you.

2. Attend our monthly socials and Life Enrichment programs! With “social” built right into the name, these Verve Senior Living-led activities are designed to break the ice and connect our residents. Not only will they boost your physical and mental health, but the social connections you make will also lift your spirit. And the best part of attending socials and taking part in activities is, you’ll make friends with similar interests because you’re already doing something you love. Attending regularly will also help you feel more comfortable so that you come to know what to expect. That way, even if you don’t make a connection the first time, there’s always a next time!

3. Practice your intra-personal skills: Smile & Listen! Practicing a warm and welcoming demeanor will not only attract positive vibes back to you, but it’ll also help you feel more positive on the inside. Listening by showing active interest in what others are saying will encourage them to open up and help strengthen genuine bonds built on openness and empathy.

4. Make the first move. We know, that sounds terrifying! But guaranteed the other person is feeling just as nervous as you are. Even if it doesn’t amount to a continued friendship, regularly having the courage to talk to people you don’t know will strengthen that muscle and it’ll just keep getting easier!

5. Patience is key with anything in life. Give yourself grace if you’re not the life of the party or didn’t gather enough courage to say “hello” the first time. Routinely giving it a go will help you build confidence through practice.

The benefits of socializing impact your overall health; anything that’s endorphin boosting will help you feel energized and more inclined to make healthy choices from what you eat to how you choose to spend your time. Socializing can therefore boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, and help stave off feelings of depression—even help prevent dementia! Check out this “Better habits, better brain health” article from Harvard Health Publishing for a more in-depth look at that.

You can also always check in with your Life Enrichment manager at your Verve Senior Living residence for ideas on how to boost your social calendar.

Download and share this recipe:

Strawberry Shortcake with White Chocolate Scones

To view more Living Loving Local recipes, click here!

Spring is perennially the time to clean up and clean out. But how do you decide what to keep and what to get rid of? Especially when a lot of the things you own feel attached to a walk down memory lane. Think of spring cleaning as your chance to keep your home healthy, just as you would the body that houses you. Throw open those windows, break out the duster, and get ready to refresh. But first: Make yourself a checklist!

The Spring Cleaning Checklist

Step #1 in the process should be organizing your thoughts on paper. What are big projects and little tasks around the house that you want to accomplish? Sort them by room or type, whatever works best for your process. Plus, nothing beats the satisfaction of ticking something off the list upon completion! We like this checklist from Molly Maid that breaks down the To Do’s room-by-room.

Reorganize before you refresh

Eliminating clutter through “yes”, “no” and “maybe” piles, then reorganizing what’s left into its own “home within your home” can be a very powerful tool in your spring cleaning arsenal. It’ll give you a good visual of what you use, and what could go be donated. After all, “A place for everything, everything in its place,” as Mr. Franklin once said.

 Take it easy!

Yes, we know it can be tempting to tackle everything at once—and on the flip side, get overwhelmed by everything that needs to get done. Take a moment to understand that it will all get done, pick one thing on the list, and go for it. Work in small increments so that you don’t lose steam (or muscle power!) and appreciate what you have accomplished rather than focusing on what still needs to get done.

Ask for help

This can be the most difficult thing to do for some people! But let’s face it, aging means the body sometimes can’t handle as much as it used to. Leave the heavy lifting to someone else, like a friend or family member. Or hire a professional to help with the cleaning and moving of furniture. Your safety and mobility are most important—the dust bunnies can wait.

Those overlooked chores

Sure, you’ve done the drapes and vacuumed behind the couch cushions, but have you:

• Weeded out all the expired medications and ancient products from your medicine in a safe manner?
• Same goes for your fridge, freezer, and pantry—what’s well past its due date? No one likes throwing out food, but if it’s bad, it’s time to move on.
• Replace all dead batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!

Think you could use a little help with your spring cleaning? Ask friends or on your local online or community center message boards for reviews on local cleaners. Always make sure to vet any person coming into your home!

Happy cleaning!

Change is hard, especially in your golden years! You’ve become accustomed to how things are; your home, routines, and the people in them. Moving into a retirement community will bring with it a slew of changes to everything from your environment to how you operate in it.

By adopting a positive mindset and embracing your move with a few simple steps, you’ll feel settled in your new retirement community in no time and able to make the most of your new retirement freedom!

1.     Try something new!

From the chef-inspired dining menu at Verve to our extensive Life Enrichment programs and best-in-class amenities, sample one of our lovingly prepared and nutritious meals, try a new fitness class, or attend one of the many staff-hosted socials. By going just a little outside your comfort zone, you might just discover a new favourite dish or make a new friend — and you’ll get to know your community even better, along the way!

2.    Make your new suite your own

You may have downsized, but that doesn’t mean your new place can’t feel as welcoming and familiar as home. Nobody likes sitting amongst boxes; it’s uncomfortable and claustrophobic! By unpacking and decorating as quickly as possible, you’ll start to settle in sooner, and bonus, you’ll have more time to explore your new retirement community.

3.     Invite your loved ones to visit your new retirement community

Whether you lived with family before or you’re simply moving from your old place into a new community, introducing your new home to family and friends is a great way to take ownership of your new place and feel like it’s yours. Showing them around will help you familiarize yourself with your new community as well.

4.    Get to know the retirement residence team members

Aside from getting to know your new neighbours — think of them as built-in friends to attend activities and mealtimes with! Getting to know the team members is just as important. We are here to support you on your retirement journey; getting to know you, your likes, and your dislikes, will help us do that so we can anticipate your needs.

5.    Explore the neighbourhood

From the nearest coffee shop to parks, museums, and shopping; discovering what’s outside your new front door can help you feel more acclimatized. Especially if you’ve moved communities, this is a great way to get a sense of your surroundings to feel settled. Not sure where to get started? Ask one of our friendly Verve team members for recommendations and assistance on how to get around and where the best spots are.

Retirement is Your Time to Be On Your Own Terms

Have questions about your new Verve community? Talk to your residence’s Community Relations Manager, we’re always here to support you on your journey in any way we can.

Interested in being part of the Verve community? We would love to hear from you! Contact us today.

As we age, it becomes easier to slip into comfortable habits, some that may not be healthy for us — like binge-watching our favourite shows for hours. While watching TV is great entertainment, spending hours in front of the television with little other stimulation isn’t good for the body, mind, nor spirit.

Tips to motivate seniors to stay active

 Seniors, especially those with cognitive decline and impaired mobility, might be especially reticent to start exercise, try something new, or simply be shy. But regular mental and physical stimulation — staying active — can have so many great benefits, from helping to prevent cognitive decline to improving health, socialization, and overall mood.

Here are a few tips to motivate seniors to stay active:

• Make it fun, make it interesting!
• Incorporate movement into everyday activities
• Make it social
• Track exercise…and reward progress!

 Activities that are therapeutic to seniors

• Art therapy! Discover how being creative can help memory and
• Nostalgic tunes are a great way to boost memory and alleviate
• Walking. Simply getting outdoors for a 30-minute walk every day can boost endorphins through low-impact physical exercise and the mental stimulation of the outdoors.
• Animal therapy. Love, socialization and physical activity are all benefits to seniors owning pets.

Activities to keep the mind active 

• Brain games. Load up your senior loved one with crossword puzzles, word searches, colouring books, and sudoku. Not only do these boost cognitive function, but they can also boost confidence.
• Book club. Starting a book club with friends is a great way to engage both the mind and spirit and stay socially active.
• Regular visits with family and friends! From a regular phone call to get- togethers that may include getting outdoors for a walk, this is one of the best ways to keep older adults engaged with life and motivated to stay

Activities for seniors with limited mobility

 Whether it’s a loss of mobility due to a fall or stroke, the onset of arthritis, or another affliction, loss of physical ability can cause depression. Staying active in the body and mind is especially crucial for these seniors to stay engaged with the world around them and boost their mood.

From art therapy to brain games, any of the above activities are excellent to explore. Other ideas include:

• Cooking & baking
• Planter box gardening
• Knitting & crochet
• Learning a new language
• Playing a musical instrument
• Spa day & self-care

At the end of the day…

When trying to keep a senior loved one active, keep their individual needs and unique interests and capabilities in mind. The more an activity is in tune with their personality, the better their chance for success!

Explore the many Life Enrichment opportunities available at Verve.

Expressive art therapy is based on the idea that the “creative” right side of our brain is put to work, processes the information, and then sends those outcomes to the “academic” left side of our brain which deals with logic, language, writing and memory. Thus, expressive art therapy benefits memory care patients, including those living with the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia in numerous ways.

Read more on the blog here!

Please click on this link to view our May 2022 Newsletter.