Who are you as a community?

Our Village is a proud part of a Canadian family tradition of community building that goes back 70 years. The first Schlegel family home became the foundation of what Schlegel Villages is today. Here at The Village of Arbour Trails, we offer several lifestyle options to meet a variety of needs. Our continuum of care allows for residents to age with us in place as their needs change. The residents we serve come from a range of backgrounds that thread together the fabric of our community, and while we know resident-centredness is a term that many lean on these days, we truly do focus on each individual’s wishes to guide our approach to service. Our Signature Programs help us focus on the individuality of each resident we serve. Our LIVING in My Today dementia care philosophy, for example, was developed by our team and our partners alongside people with lived experience. This provides our team the opportunity to learn exactly what it means to support a person who is experiencing the changing perceptions of dementia. We also celebrate the Wisdom of the Elder as another Signature Program, thanks to the inspiration of our founder Ron Schlegel. Ron once said: “The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders,” and we honour the individual and collective wisdom of those we serve in ways large and small.

• Ownership: Private. A member of Schlegel Villages
• Languages Spoken: English

What do you do differently or uniquely well?

The Village concept that sets us apart was always meant to create a living space for seniors that feels like a small town. In many ways this is similar to the experience our founder, Ron Schlegel, had growing up in Ailsa Craig outside of London, Ont. Our Main Street connects to the Town Square as the social spine of the Village. Together these spaces allow for indoor and accessible options for residents to live life as they always have. Ron also envisioned the Village as community hubs for seniors and others from the surrounding community. His vision was to connect the Village to the broader community to enhance the lives of residents as well as support those living outside the Village.

What supports do you offer residents as they adjust to life there?

Each resident who calls the Village home, comes with a unique life story. By completing our My Experience (ME) Form, you help us better understand your life, experiences, values and preferences. In order to support you to live well within our village, we need to begin by hearing your story. Your dedicated Village Experience Coordinator helps guide you through this paperwork and helps make the move-in experience as smooth as possible. Our resident Welcoming Committee strives to help their new neighbours feel welcomed and connected.

What might residents find surprising about your community?

New residents often say “I wish I had done this sooner!” They’re surprised by how quickly they become absorbed in the community and how fast new friendships develop. In no time at all, everybody knows their name and like in any small town, a walk down Main Street is an opportunity to connect with friends and new acquaintances. People are also surprised by opportunities offered to grow and learn in their new community. They find new passions like hosting a podcast, riding a mechanical bull, becoming an artist or fulfilling a lifelong dream of skydiving. As they say, the possibilities are endless.

What five facts about your community should people know?

Ask us about our:

#ElderWisdom: Stories from the Green Bench Podcast
Program for Active Living
Riverstone Spa
Signature Programs
Being located within the Village by the Arboretum