Living well in your senior years isn\u2019t just a matter of being comfortable and secure, balancing proper care with independence. The best quality of life also includes a chance to discover new things, explore ideas, grow your mind and spirit and keep your body healthy.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a chance to remain creative and continue learning are just as important to seniors as having a well-balanced diet and exercise to keep the mind and body supple,\u201d says Shelley Snoulten.<\/p>\n
She and Melissa McKee serve as the sales and marketing managers of Holland Gardens by Verve, Bradford\u2019s newest retirement facility. At Holland Gardens, vibrant living isn\u2019t just a tagline. It\u2019s a methodology that\u2019s woven through everything they do.<\/p>\n
Spirit<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe believe that part of that vibrancy comes from creating a community of sharing, where new friends can connect over old memories,\u201d says Melissa.<\/p>\n Holland Gardens provides programs like The Java Music Club to help residents build those connections and recall those memories through the love of decades-old tunes.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is one of my favourite programs,\u201d says Marisa Jeronimo, General Manager of Holland Gardens. \u201cMusic is so powerful. It can so quickly take you back to a memory, and all the senses that surround it.\u201d<\/p>\n In The Java Music Club, each resident is invited to pick a song and play it for others before discussing the memories around it. While the music stimulates the mind, the discussion quickly creates bonds between residents.<\/p>\n But music isn\u2019t the only elixir for stimulating memories and building community. \u201cFitness can also be a powerful tool,\u201d says Shelley. \u201cOur Go 4 Life program does just that.\u201d<\/p>\n This program groups residents together based on their ability. And while Shelley admits they do have some friendly competitions for goal-setting residents, there are no rules about how fast or how far residents go.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all about interacting and connecting while being active together.\u201d<\/p>\n Mind<\/em><\/p>\n While Holland Gardens is focused on building healthy communities and minds, it also puts a heavy emphasis on stimulating creativity and learning.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no age limit to knowledge and skill building,\u201d says Shelley. \u201cOur Meet Me at the MoMA program is proof.\u201d<\/p>\n Over eight weeks, Meet Me at the MoMA residents become art students, learning to think and paint like the famous artists featured in New York City\u2019s Museum of Modern Art.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like one of those painting events that are popular right now, but better,\u201d says Shelley.<\/p>\n Each program presents a different artist before discussing their popular works and painting methods. During each class, residents discuss how the work relates to their lives and how it makes them feel, before receiving a brush and canvas, and the opportunity to paint in the artist\u2019s method.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not replicating the painting. They\u2019re painting something of their own,\u201d says Shelley. \u201cIt\u2019s incredibly therapeutic and so much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t believe how many residents discover talents they never knew existed,\u201d says Marisa.<\/p>\n Body<\/em><\/p>\n While Holland Gardens is filled with opportunities to challenge your mind and boost your creativity, their staff members are also tuned into each resident\u2019s physical needs.<\/p>\n \u201cWe offer a range of fitness programs including dance, chair yoga, line dancing, Zumba and Tai Chi, which can be modified to the abilities of each and every resident,\u201d says Shelley.<\/p>\n Holland Gardens also have a talented culinary team that customizes each meal to the dietary needs, tastes and preferences of our residents.<\/p>\n \u201cHere, there are always multiple choices on the menu, which can be enjoyed in the restaurant or with guests in the private dining room,\u201d says Marisa.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s important for each meal to be healthy and delicious, The Holland Gardens also puts a heavy emphasis on using locally sourced in-season produce.<\/p>\n \u201cVerve\u2019s Living Loving Local program features local foods all year round,\u201d says Marisa. \u201cWe use peaches, cherries, squash, corn and onions, and locally farmed produce like carrots and maple syrup.\u201d<\/p>\n While the fitness programs and meals are designed to nourish the body, the beauty of Holland Gardens is its ability to work with each resident and evolve with them as they need more care.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one should have to leave their home to go to another residence, just because they need more assistance,\u201d says Melissa. \u201cWith Independent Living, Memory Care and Assisted Living all under one roof, our residents and their families don\u2019t have to worry about uprooting once they\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n