The LivingWell program at Delmanor Communities focuses on helping seniors live their best lives, while focusing on the five domains of health: physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual. Here is what the LivingWell program actually looks like inside Delmanor West Village.
Quick Takeaways
- Fitness classes run seven days a week, with two to three offered daily, and every class includes a modified pace so residents of all abilities can take part.
- An on-site kinesiologist offers personalized fitness assessments and one-on-one training, and the AquaFit pool is open daily from 5am to 8pm to residents, family, and friends alike.
- Many of the community’s most popular programs, from the weekly knitting group to the resident-built golf simulator, are organized and led by residents themselves.
- Most LivingWell programs are included in the monthly fee, and family members are always welcome to join in.
Meet Brayan
After graduating from Humber College in 2014 with a degree in hospitality management, Brayan got a summer job as a server in the food and beverage department at Delmanor West Village. This sparked his passion for working in the Delmanor community and in retirement living.
Within a few months, Brayan was promoted to supervisor. He stayed in that role for a while before he decided to move into Concierge. He had a desire to explore the different areas of the retirement field, and a move to Concierge allowed him to learn the ins and outs and the administrative side of a retirement home.
Following that, he moved into the LivingWell department, where he worked as a LivingWell Coordinator before being promoted to LivingWell Manager in 2024.
Now, as the LivingWell Manager, Brayan loves that every day is different and that residents treat him like part of their family. As he says:
Residents want to know everything about me and what goes on outside of work. It’s nice to see that people recognize me beyond just my job.
What Fitness Classes Are Offered Through the LivingWell Program at Delmanor West Village?
At Delmanor West Village, fitness is key for many residents. In fact, as Brayan says,
The community is known for being a very physical and active community.
As a result, fitness programs are offered seven days a week, with normally two to three different classes each day. These classes include:
- Resistance training
- Chair cardio
- Strength
- Relaxation
- Gentle Fit
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Aqua Fit
No one is excluded from these programs. Each class adapts to the needs of the individual person, and instructors offer both a modified and a regular pace so everyone can participate together, regardless of physical ability. Independent living and assisted living residents take part in the majority of activities together, though fitness classes follow a separate schedule so assisted living residents can move at a slower pace or work through a more targeted class suited to their needs.
Delmanor West Village Has an On-Site Kinesiologist. What Does This Mean for Residents?
Having an on-site kinesiologist is a significant benefit to the residents at Delmanor West Village. If a resident wants it, the kinesiologist can complete a functional assessment, build a personalized fitness program, and then lead one-on-one training sessions multiple times a week while tracking progress over time.
What Is the AquaFit Program Like at Delmanor West Village?
According to Brayan, the AquaFit program is “the biggest hit in the community.”
What the AquaFit program includes:
- A low-impact class aimed at improving strength, balance, and cardio resistance
- A weekly change of focus. One week may centre on stretching or relaxation, the next on cardio
- Equipment available to use in the pool
- Music playing throughout
- A water volleyball game at the end of each class
The pool itself is open daily from 5am to 8pm, and residents are welcome to use it outside of scheduled classes. The only request is that residents let the concierge know before going for a swim, so the team is aware and can keep an eye on things. Family members and friends are also welcome to use the pool and to join AquaFit classes alongside residents.
What Cognitive and Brain Health Programs Are Offered at Delmanor West Village?
There are many programs offered at Delmanor West Village that promote cognitive and brain health among residents. Some of these programs include:
- LivingWell lectures
- Trivia
- Crosswords
- Board games
- Memory strategies
- Puzzles
What Creative and Arts Programs Are Offered at Delmanor West Village?
Delmanor West Village also offers a wide variety of creative and arts programs, such as:
- Painting class once a week
- A weekly knitting group, where pieces are typically donated to a women’s shelter or to seniors in need
- Line dancing
- Belly dancing
- Drawing classes
What Regular Social Events, Day Trips, and Outings Are Offered at Delmanor West Village?
There is always something going on at Delmanor West Village. A few examples:
- Step and Song every Wednesday, where a different performer visits the community and residents can grab a drink and watch the show
- Cooking demos once a month
- Events on major holidays and national food days
- Card games every day, including poker, blackjack, and bridge
- Shopping trips every day with the private Delmanor West Village bus
- Hikes and picnics in the summer
- Trips to greenhouses, theatres, museums, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Barrie
- A recent Grand River cruise
The trips, outings, and social events are based entirely on what residents ask for. The team encourages each resident to bring forward ideas, then works those suggestions into the calendar.
What Makes the LivingWell Program at Delmanor West Village Truly Unique?
At Delmanor West Village, many of the programs offered are organized and led entirely by residents. As Brayan explains, “When a person comes into the community, they have all these skills and expertise, and they want to offer that to others.”
Some examples of resident-led programs at Delmanor West Village:
- The weekly knitting group, which donates its creations
- Belly dancing class
- Gardening club
- Blackjack club
- Bowling, using a golf simulator that a resident set up himself
- A choir group that performs every three months for Delmanor West Village, and also tours and performs at other Delmanor communities
Learn More About Retirement Living at Delmanor West Village
Most LivingWell programs are included in the monthly fee, with the exception of a small number of outings, such as a theatre ticket, that may carry an additional cost. Family members are always welcome to join in on LivingWell programs, events, and bus trips alongside residents.
The best way to understand what daily life at Delmanor West Village really feels like is to experience it in person. No pressure, no obligation, just come and see.
Join us for lunch and a tour, and discover the LivingWell program for yourself.
