Canterbury Foundation delivering a life of freedom and independence for seniors
Music, dancing, camaraderie, the smell of amazing food and a welcoming smile is what greets you when you walk through the front doors of Canterbury Foundation, a not-for-profit seniors care community in West Edmonton.
While Canterbury offers independent and assisted living, plus memory care support to seniors — what they really do is give seniors the freedom to live life on their own terms.
As we move into our senior years — after years of working and caring for all the needs and wants of our families, more and more our time becomes our own. We lean less into proving we can do everything ourselves and instead look for a more peaceful way to live.
That’s been the reason so many seniors, like Adeline Filewych, chose life at Canterbury. While at first her husband thought they were losing their independence, what they’ve now both discovered is that they’ve gained even more freedom than they could have imagined.
“I raised four children, and for years, I entertained wonderful friends and hosted big parties,” says Adeline. “But now I’m tired and I have arthritis in my hands. It is not enjoyable to cook, care and maintain a home anymore. Here, I can go downstairs for meals and visit with friends. The food is incredible. I don’t have to make food and clean up.
“I have so much more freedom since coming to Canterbury. I still get out and take the car and go spend time with friends outside Canterbury, but I have less of the burden that comes with maintaining a home. Coming to Canterbury was the best decision.”
Canterbury Foundation makes life for seniors so much easier with its continuing-care model. Home care, nursing care, dietary and meals, pharmacy, foot care, non-denominational church services and even counselling and social work are all on site, with a wide variety of entertainment, life enrichment, programming, grocery delivery and even a beauty salon all in one easy-to-access place. It takes all the work out of living so seniors can just live the life they want to lead.
Sara Morin is the social worker at Canterbury Foundation who supports families transitioning into care.
“At Canterbury, we have an entire disciplinary team,” says Morin. “We have a coordinated approach so the senior themselves, and their families, don’t have to organize all these piecemeal areas of care living on their own. They don’t have to find someone to shovel the walks, fix a tap or organize home care.
“People can conserve their energy and spend time on the things they really love. Here, you have time to live life; you don’t have to manage it. We love helping seniors find a new lease on life at Canterbury.”
For more information on Canterbury Foundation or to book a tour, please visit canterburyfoundation.com.