Fall 2025 Open House
On September 20, 2025, Optima Living’s communities across Western Canada opened their doors for our annual Fall Open House, an event that truly captured the spirit of the season.
We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us and to our dedicated teams for turning each Open House into a celebration of home, community, and connection. Take a look through our photo gallery below to see how each community added its own local flavour to A Taste of Home.
Celebrating National Seniors Day
On October 1st, we celebrated our remarkable seniors, who bring wisdom, resilience, and love to each of our Optima Living communities.
National Seniors Day is a reminder of the contributions older adults make—not just within our residences, but across families, neighbourhoods, and society as a whole. Their stories and life experiences continue to guide and inspire us.
At Optima Living, we’re proud to create spaces where seniors feel valued, respected, and empowered to live life to the fullest.
As we mark this day, let’s take a moment to show gratitude for the seniors in our lives. Their legacy is a gift we can all cherish.
Be Ready, Stay Safe:
Emergency Preparedness for Seniors
Emergencies can strike without warning—whether it’s severe weather, wildfires, floods, power outages, or sudden medical issues. For seniors, planning ahead is essential. Thoughtful preparation enhances confidence and peace of mind, helping you navigate unexpected situations safely.
Seniors face unique challenges during emergencies. According to the Canadian Red Cross, older adults may be more vulnerable due to mobility limitations, chronic health conditions, sensory impairments, or social isolation. From creating an emergency plan to staying informed and connected, being prepared empowers seniors to handle uncertainty with confidence.
Visit our library for a comprehensive guide to emergency preparedness, designed for seniors who want to live confidently, wherever they call home.
Honouring World Alzheimer’s Day
Every September 21st, people from across the globe come together to raise awareness and to renew our commitment to improving the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s, a progressive condition that causes memory loss and other cognitive challenges that disrupt everyday life for both individuals and their loved ones. World Alzheimer’s Day reminds us of both the challenges and the possibilities. Let’s work together to create a future where Alzheimer’s no longer defines the journey.
Visit our library to learn more about World Alzheimer’s Day and Optima Living’s compassionate approach to Memory Care.
Choosing senior living is more than a move — it’s the start of a new chapter filled with connection, purpose, and peace of mind. For many families, the decision can feel overwhelming at first, but hearing directly from residents and team members helps shed light on the benefits and opportunities that come with this transition.
In this episode of Optima Living TV, we offer an inside look at what makes our communities truly special. Visit our YouTube channel to watch the episode.
A Taste of Home:
How Marcus Vassos Brings Creativity and Care to the Kitchen at Inglewood
When prep cook Marcus Vassos joined Inglewood in 2015, he brought years of food service experience, from Edmonton kitchens to Arctic mining camps. But what he found in senior living was something different, and welcome: the chance to slow down, connect, and create meals that feel like home.
“For me, everything here is calmer. It’s not the same rush, rush, hustle and bustle. We still do the work, but with more room to be creative,” Marcus says.
During Healthcare Food Service Workers Week, we celebrate Marcus’s commitment to nourishing residents, supporting his team, and bringing Optima Living’s promise to life: Let us welcome you home.™
FACT: You don’t have to wait to enjoy the vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle of a senior living community. Senior living communities offer freedom, comfort, and peace of mind.
Many people believe that they should wait as long as they can before moving into a senior living community. The truth is, the best time to move is when you’re ready to enjoy more freedom, community, and support. At Optima Living, our communities empower seniors to lead vibrant, fulfilling lives. Make your next chapter your best one yet!
From day one, the nerf gun target board has sparked enthusiasm and brought our community together. Many Cottonwood Village residents have eagerly participated and connected with others.
We were honoured to welcome our Zambian friends who shared their vibrant and rich culture with us. It was a truly special day filled with learning and connection!
We had an amazing time at our recent Root Beer Social! Residents gathered in the courtyard to enjoy a sweet treat together under the sunshine. This simple pleasure brought joy to everyone’s afternoon.
We recently celebrated Indian Independence Day! Our residents enjoyed a day filled with culture, colours, and connection. It was wonderful to see residents and team members come together in a shared cultural experience.
Community means showing up for one another. There’s something truly special about the way our residents lift each other up. It’s about belonging, building connections, and finding joy in the everyday. At Lewis Estates, we celebrate together.
Thank you to everyone who attended our Open House! We had an amazing time sharing everything that makes life here so enjoyable.
Bingo brought out the smiles and laughs! We love a little friendly competition at Everitt Gardens!
Fresh from the garden! Our residents pulled up a beautiful crop of delicious carrots this year. We can’t wait to enjoy them.
In honour of Terry Fox and his love for chocolate chip cookies, Laurie and Ron shared a sweet moment today as they remembered and celebrated a true Canadian hero.
We recently brightened up our halls with handmade sunshine! Our residents crafted beautiful paper sunflowers to bring a cheerful touch to our bulletin boards!
Fresh from the oven and made with love. Our residents baked homemade apple pies, just in time for bingo in the afternoon! Who doesn’t love a sweet treat?
Our Grandparents’ Day celebration was made extra special with a creative bunting craft! We shared memories while designing banners that reminded us of how much joy and wisdom grandparents bring to our lives.
Special guests from our support office, our exceptional team members, and our residents were excited to share our amazing community at our recent Open House event.
We had the absolute pleasure of welcoming the Golden Music Makers back into our building! With a wonderful variety of instruments, they brought each song to life. Our residents had a fantastic time and are already looking forward to their next visit!
We have suites available across our various communities, and we’d love to show you around. To get a feel for what living in our communities is like and to meet some of our residents and team members, you can book a private tour. Click the link below to schedule your visit. We hope to see you soon!
“Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful.”
– Hazrat Inayat Khan