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Optima Living February 2025 Newsletter

Posted on February 27th, 2025

Melodies & Memories:
The Benefits of Musical Activities for Seniors

Music has a profound way of bringing people together, evoking cherished memories, and lifting spirits. For seniors, engaging in musical activities is a powerful tool for enhancing cognitive function, emotional well-being, and social connection.

Research has shown that music stimulates the brain in ways that few other activities can. Studies show that listening to and engaging with music can enhance memory, improve focus, and even slow cognitive decline in individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Incorporating music into daily life can have transformative effects, creating joy and a sense of community among seniors. Visit our library for more information on how music can improve seniors' well-being. 

Read the full article

Staying Creative at Any Age

Creativity has no age limit! Whether through painting, music, writing, or crafting, expressing yourself brings joy and purpose. 

Meet Nel Rodenburg, a 91-year-old artist whose passion for the arts has been a lifelong journey. In this video, Nel shares her story, and how creativity continues to bring colour and meaning into her life. Art has the power to connect us to our past, enrich our present, and inspire those around us.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch this inspiring clip!

Watch here

Stretching for a Healthier You

Daily stretches keep you feeling your best!

Stretching regularly is a simple way to make everyday activities more enjoyable. Stretching helps your body reduce pain, improve flexibility and circulation, increase your energy, and lower the risk of injury! We recommend starting with just five minutes of gentle stretching each day to help improve your overall well-being.

Love is timeless, and so are the friendships and relationships that we cherish! On Valentine's Day, we celebrated all the connections that make life sweeter. Every day is better when shared with those we care about! 

Family isn’t just who you’re related to, it’s the people who make you feel at home! Family Day was the perfect way to celebrate the bonds that bring us together and the joy of being surrounded by those we love. We hope you had a fantastic day spent with loved ones! 


We recently had the pleasure of listening to the beautiful voices of the OLPH choir. It was wonderful to participate in their captivating performance.
This month has been beautiful reminder of the richness and joy that cultural traditions bring to our lives. We were thrilled to host a spirited celebration, where the soulful tunes of bagpipe player Mike Chisholm filled the air.

We also welcomed the Chinese Lunar New Year with vibrant festivities celebrating renewal, unity, and hope. This year, we’re celebrating the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, resilience, and transformation.

It’s inspiring to see how different communities come together, share their traditions, and foster a sense of belonging and understanding.
At Wisteria Place, we celebrated Lunar New Year with heartfelt joy. Our residents experienced the beauty of authentic Chinese traditions, featuring a majestic lion dance and enchanting singing and dancing performances. As we step into this new year, may we all find wisdom in every moment, growth in every challenge, and prosperity in every endeavour. 

Our residents embraced the spirit of Robbie Burns Day with the sounds of bagpipes, a taste of traditional haggis, a whiskey toast, and heartfelt poetry!  It was a day filled with Scottish charm, laughter, and a deep appreciation for culture and tradition.

Our team vs. residents shuffleboard challenge is one of our favourite traditions at Cottonwood Village. We had blast battling for the beloved trophy!

We loved staying healthy and active while playing chair volleyball! We enjoyed getting our exercise in while coming together for some lighthearted fun.
We rang in the Year of the Snake with a fun and festive celebration! Residents enjoyed a taste of tradition with delicious Chinese snacks and a Chinese buffet dinner. The highlight of our night was the vibrant Lion Dance! It was a wonderful way to welcome the new year with joy, culture, and community.
We dropped off treats at the Edmonton Public Library to celebrate the award-winning Together We Grow program! This incredible initiative brings early literacy programming to seniors’ residences, fostering connection between older adults and young families. We’re proud to support a program that builds community across generations and excited to see it featured on the news! Read the article to learn more.

Rutherford Heights celebrated Valentine's day with a special performance by the i Coristi Chamber Choir. Residents and family also received roses, while enjoying delicious strawberry cheesecake, champagne, and Crumbl cookies!

We celebrated Chinese Lunar New Year and hosted our first Let Us Welcome You Home event! With a vibrant Lion Dance by Hung Ga Lion Dance Association, we welcomed new residents and embraced community traditions.

Check out to our newest friend Spaz the Cockatoo!

Over the last few months we have been enjoying visits from this lively bird. He sure knows how to make an entrance and put a smile on our faces!
We recently hosted a New Neighbours Social where our newest residents had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the community and meet their neighbours.

It was a wonderful afternoon spent enjoying delicious snacks and making new friends.

Although we were lacking Twinkle Toes Flintstone moves, we had a fun afternoon 10-pin bowling. Our team members also took a moment to join in the fun!

Not only can you trust our amazing Health Care Aide Cory to check your pulse, she can also fix your jewelry or create a custom piece for you. Cory often stays after work to visit with our residents and fix their jewelry, free of charge! 
Tap your toes, clap your hands, and sing along with the musical talents of Dean Ray! Our residents enjoyed being part of the band by singing and playing the tambourine.


Celebrating in style, Cedarwood Station rang in the Chinese Lunar New Year with an amazing buffet. Wishing you all a year filled with love, laughter, and fantastic food!

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!

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“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honours.”
– Tia Walker

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