Join us on August 12th, 2021 for an informative virtual presentation by Arlene Stephenson, Owner/Operator of Downsizing Diva. Arlene will take you through the challenges and rewards of dispersing of possessions that have been accumulated over the years and provide some tips on how to help you declutter your space.
Email Sarah to RSVP: mktg1.rox@verveseniorliving.com or call 905-853-4573
We are excited to introduce Anne Murphy-Larade (General Manager) and Stormie Gray (Health and Wellness Manager) to the team. To meet the full team and learn more about White Cliffe Terrace, please join us on August 19th at 6:30pm for a virtual information session.
To register please contact Jeanette Sumners Sales and Marketing Manager at 905-579-0800 ext. 225
Courtyard Gardens Retirement Residence staff member Linda Jones, who works as a Life Enrichment Assistant and has done so for 12 plus years, decided to retire and get to more golf and pickle ball. She is an energetic and engaging person with a talent for music and trivia. Our resident, Roger is visually impaired and also has a keen ear for music and trivia and the two hit it off from the start.
Roger was sad to hear that Linda would be retiring as he enjoys all of her programs, so he decided to sing a song to her for her last day. It took several takes to get it right and he was very nervous. It was played for Linda and she is a tough cookie, but it made her cry. This is why we work here- the relationships that are made are what is most important to us!
Thank you Linda for your dedication to Courtyard Gardens Retirement Residence in Richmond, BC.
What has it been like living at Verve during COVID-19? Watch this video to find out!
Learn more about Verve’s COVID-19 response
At all times we must follow the guidelines set forth by the local provincial health authority. In many cases we implement safety initiatives before the governments mandates them. While we pride ourselves on doing everything we can to keep our communities safe, it does alter the way we connect with the outside community.
Click on the image below to view the interactive version of our Safety Protocol Brochure.
Download the Safety Protocol Brochure
Dining Services
Dining with Verve continues to be an exceptional experience.
Our dining rooms are open and our dedicated team of chefs continue to provide the same variety and high quality of food we are known for. With everyone’s safety in mind, we have established multiple seatings for every meal, with a set schedule and thorough sanitation between groups. Currently we are working with the guidelines provided by the Provincial Government regarding number of residents dining together, and as those change, we will also change the number of residents allowed per table.
Our holiday, special occasion, and theme meals continue and give everyone something to look forward to, whether you are dining in your suite or the dining room. We have also created a fabulous mobile cart program that offers everything from cocktails to snacks, lemonade stands to high tea, and always service with a smile.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Our team members work exclusively for Verve. They are required to wear face mask and face shields. When in close proximity with residents, they also wear additional PPE. They may look like aliens but they are full of human kindness.
Visitors
One of the most significant ways this pandemic has affected all of us, is how we connect with friends and family. We always conduct thorough screening of all visitors to ensure the safety of our residents. When we are able to coordinate visits with family members, we provide an appropriate space and ensure proper distancing. When mandated by the province, we may need to limit guests for a period of time.
Quarantine
Keeping our community safe is a priority for all of us. There may be a period of quarantine for newcomers, the length and extent of which is dependent upon the provincial health authority guidelines at any given time. But not to worry, if there is a quarantine period our staff and residents work extra hard to make sure you are comfortable, well nourished, entertained, and get an introduction into our community.
We have Resident ambassadors who will introduce themselves through video calls so you can start to meet a few friendly neighbours. Our Life Enrichment team will visit with activity kits and stay for one-to-one exercise sessions. If you don’t have your own technology devices, we can lend you ours and arrange for video calling with your family. Our Health and Wellness team has regular check ins with you, while still having hotel quality room service with three full meals delivered to your door. Our management team will visit with our orientation packages and you can count on a few fun visits when our mobile carts come knocking. You may be alone, but you will not be lonely, we guarantee it!
Life Enrichment
We’ve learned to be flexible and our engaging group activities continue with added layers of protection. We ensure the supplies we use for programs are individual, safe and single use.
Everyone wears a mask. We practice exemplary hand hygiene. We space out our work-stations to allow for social distancing and of course, we do a deep cleaning before and after every activity. When necessary, as directed by the ministry of health we can easily switch to small group sessions or even in-suite activities if needed. Our life enrichment teams from across the nation have come together to develop an incredibly robust in-suite activity program that can be rolled out for specific floors, specific suites, or even the whole building when required.
Thank you to Denice, daughter to one of our residents, for giving this thoughtful thank you to the staff and management at White Cliffe Terrace Retirement Residence in Courtice, ON.
“In the spring of 2017, after investigating a number of other retirement residences in the area, we chose Whitecliffe Terrace for my mom to call home for the next phase of her life. She had been living alone in her house after dad passed on, and we had been concerned about her having an accident, perhaps not eating properly and the other normal worries children have about an elderly parent.
Whitecliffe wasn’t exactly a stranger to us, my husband’s mom had been one of the very first residents there when it opened. That the environment and staff is open and friendly, bright and cheerful, and most importantly in our opinion – competent and caring, and that the entire facility is kept in optimum condition, sparkling clean and well appointed, and that the menu choices and quality are excellent, were also primary factors in our decision.
For the past four years my Mom has been very well cared for, and has made great friends among the residents and staff. It’s a constant comfort to us that we know she is eating well, that her apartment gets cleaned for her and her linens are laundered weekly, that the staff truly care about her, and that her general needs are well met.
Recently, at 97 years young, and still full of life, Mom moved upstairs to the 4th floor where there is an additional level of care; she now has assistance bathing and dressing and her medications are administered daily so she can’t forget to take her pills. Through the covid epidemic, Whitecliffe’s regimens of precautions to protect the residents, which included testing and daily monitoring, resulted in her coming through without any ill effects.
My interaction with the management has always been positive and satisfactory and my opinion is that this is a well run, first class facility.”
A year has passed, and sadly COVID has not. It is surreal to remember the early days of this pandemic. There was fear caused by uncertainty, a need for rapid action to protect our loved ones, an awkwardness when withholding hugs from parents, kids, and grandkids, and encouraging optimism as whole communities pulled together to help those in need.
Everything has changed, and yet nothing has changed. Our communities of residents, families, and team members continue to pull together with a common goal of helping our residents live a life that is safe, secure, and filled with Verve. We are grateful to those who show up to work every day and make this commitment a reality. Our safety protocols and practices have been refined, and we have added levels of flexibility to meet the ever-changing government guidelines.
Vaccine availability has made a dramatic difference in our ability to navigate through this third wave, and we are pleased by the high proportion of our residents and team members who have been vaccinated. However, we are not letting our guard down. We continue to closely monitor the health of our residents and team members through twice daily checks and weekly testing, where available. We strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.
The long-lasting resiliency shown by our residents, team members, and families is truly inspiring. While many of us will spend another Mother’s Day apart this year, we all look forward to special occasions in the not-too-distant future where we can embrace and enjoy the company of our loved ones.
David Bird
President and CEO
Diversicare Canada
