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Contact: Leslie Beard
[email protected] / 780-952-2033
October 19, 2020
In a tour of Optima Living’s most recent seniors’ living community in Alberta, Rod Frank, Mayor of Strathcona County, had an opportunity to see what this development will mean for Sherwood Park, Strathcona County, and surrounding areas. He also had a chance to sample ‘Mind Triggers,’ an app designed by Optima Living's knowledge partner at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Zahra Moussavi. The app combats the types of memory and cognitive skills that are impaired by either natural aging or by a type of dementia. Dr. Moussavi's research focused on dementia with the goal of slowing progression or plateauing the symptoms of the disease.
“Strathcona County is grateful for this investment in our community, and in particular how it is part of the answer for seniors’ housing needs,” said Mayor Frank during the tour on Wednesday, October 7th. “Aster Gardens’ impressive innovations include applications such as Mind Triggers for healthy and agile mental health. The building also,” he said, “offers some amazing views of Strathcona County—a very exciting development in the heart of Sherwood Park!”
The Aster Gardens leadership team of Optima Living Principal Ali Shivji, Community Leasing Coordinator Linda Portsmouth, and General Manager Karen Fitzgerald led the tour and pointed out some of the unique features that set Aster Gardens apart. The Memory Care neighbourhood in particular offers a stimulating and enjoyable environment, and residents have many different options for being active and involved either on-site or in the local community.
“We are looking forward to safely welcoming our first residents on March 1st,” said Aster Gardens General Manager Karen Fitzgerald. “We are excited to have Mayor Frank test some of the latest technologies that will be featured at Aster Gardens.”
During the Mind Triggers app demonstration, Optima Living Principal Ali Shivji demonstrated Brain Games and other memory-preserving features that Optima Living residents will have the option to utilize.
As part of Optima Living’s commitment to the larger seniors’ community in Strathcona County and area, it has initiated strategic partnerships with leaders and experts in seniors care and healthy living.
One of those partnerships is with Dr. Zahra Moussavi, Director of the Biomedical Engineering Program at the University of Manitoba, Professor, Canada Research Chair, and Developer of Mind Triggers. In collaboration with Dr. Moussavi, two informative seminars have been produced that cover common topics related to memory care and dementia. They are available on the Optima Living YouTube Channel.
Seniors interested in knowing more about Aster Gardens may take a virtual tour of the new development. You can also schedule a safe and socially-distanced in-person tour. For further information, contact Linda Portsmouth at (780) 902-7837 or [email protected].