The S&R Group’s seniors living villages launched an innovative monthly program in 2025 that’s connecting residents, prospective residents and team members in fun and engaging activities.
A goal of the “seniors socials” is to introduce prospective residents to the S&R Group’s culture in a fun and welcoming environment, and the Villages have come up with some creative ideas since the program launched in summer.
For one of its senior socials, Landmark Village in Sarnia hosted a fashion show where residents and team members modelled the latest designer clothes. A local business owner, Marilyn Chappelle of Marcanda Gifts, Tea Room & Boutique, provided the clothing for the event.
Brent Hart, Landmark’s activity manager, said the senior social accomplished its goals of engaging prospective residents and providing them with a taste of the type of events Landmark Village offers.
“It was a great success, with a big thank-you to Marilyn for taking on the fashion aspect,” he said.
Carnivals are one of those events most people remember with fondness from their childhood, and with this in mind, the Village on the Thames chose to create a midway with games and snacks to engage everyone attending one of their senior socials.
To make the event as authentic as possible, the Chatham-Kent seniors living community rented candy-floss and popcorn machines so residents and prospective residents could enjoy snacks that are long-time carnival favourites.
Diamond Zelina, the Village on the Thames’ fun co-ordinator, says the event drew a favourable turnout from inside and outside the Village.
“There was a good group of eight to 10 people who came and did a tour,” Diamond said. “Afterwards, they enjoyed cotton candy and popcorn.”
Waterloo Heights hosts a pig roast every year, and for this year’s event the seniors living community opened invitations to the local community and prospective residents.
A seating plan was made so residents could sit with their guests, but it also helped pair community seniors with residents, giving them a chance to introduce themselves, explained Jacqui Metzloff, Waterloo Heights’ activity director.
Jacqui said the event proved to be an excellent opportunity to network and meet new people while showcasing life at Waterloo Heights.
“We made lots of new friends who we can call for future senior socials,” she said. “We had lots of volunteers helping with the event and, with a full dietary staff, the event ran perfectly. Everyone had a great time.”
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