Ottawa Citizen

Customized dining, many activities are the norms at City View Retirement Community

- Izabela Syzdlo Postmedia Content Works

When Archana Sarkar came to live at City View Retirement Community, she had a special request; she wanted meals that held meaning and memories, meals she cooked at home. With City View’s focus on ensuring every resident is treated like family, customized culinary experience­s and well-rounded activities are the norm rather than the exception. “Denis the Chef and the servers were so helpful,” says Sarkar of City View’s Food Services manager Denis Vanasse and his team. “They cook to your choice, but you need to request ahead of time, which is OK with me. If I had my own kitchen, I’d say the same thing. City View is the best place to live.” After a little research, Denis was so pleased to serve Archana some of her favourite meals, the smile on her face said it all. An emphasis on seasonal home cooking allows City View to serve meals that not only offer variety but also use fresh ingredient­s and are healthy. The “Food for Thought” meetings, where residents provide feedback and personal recipes, ensures that residents are an integral part of menu planning. For every meal there are two main features along with a varied “à la carte” menu. The menu rotates on a four-week cycle in considerat­ion of the season, residents’ personal preference­s, dietary restrictio­ns, nutritiona­l requiremen­ts and day-to-day needs. “When people come to City View we go through all their meal preference­s, likes and dislikes. We also do all types of special requests,” says Vanasse. “Whether preparing a meal for one of the choices of the day or catering a private family function, we put our heart and soul into everything we cook.” Not only are the meals guided by the residents, activities are as well. City View is proud of their active Ambassador Club, comprised of residents who both live and volunteer at City View. This group can be seen hosting a craft workshop, running happy hour, ensuring a new resident feels welcome and much more. City View’s activity programmin­g is geared to the needs, wants and wishes of its residents. Living in a retirement home is the chance to do all those things life did not allow before. From taking up painting to doing some woodworkin­g, taking university level courses or going on outings, the calendar is rich with opportunit­ies. With activities staff trained in all areas of wellness, over 100 activities per month are held, fulfilling spiritual, intellectu­al, social, emotional and physical needs. “The activities we run are really important,” says Cathleen Cogan Bird, City View’s executive director. “Often new residents have come from an isolated life having cared for partners or facing health issues; activities are a way for them to bloom again and find purpose, fulfilment and joy. We want them to enjoy their retirement and do all those things they dreamed of learning or doing.” Whether joining the choir, having a puppy visit, learning a new skill or joining the wellknown Fit Minds group (a cognitive stimulatio­n therapy program), residents are able to do as much or as little as they want. To discover City View’s dining facilities, observe activities or just to learn more, drop in for a personaliz­ed tour with Kelly Dejong, director of Sales and Marketing, who will ensure you find the perfect retirement package. For more informatio­n, email kdejong@cityviewre­tirement. com or view www.cityviewre­tirement.com.

 ?? SUPPLIED ?? City View Retirement Community residents didn’t let a power outage stop them as they made the best of the situation by enjoying a Tornado Wine and Music party.
SUPPLIED City View Retirement Community residents didn’t let a power outage stop them as they made the best of the situation by enjoying a Tornado Wine and Music party.
 ?? SUPPLIED ?? Denis Vanesse, City View Retirement Community’s Food Services manager.
SUPPLIED Denis Vanesse, City View Retirement Community’s Food Services manager.
 ?? SUPPLIED ?? Cathleen Cogan Bird, City View Retirement Community’s executive director.
SUPPLIED Cathleen Cogan Bird, City View Retirement Community’s executive director.
 ?? SUPPLIED ?? Kelly Dejong.
SUPPLIED Kelly Dejong.

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