News

Meet Arbourside’s New Therapy Dog, Gucci

September 01, 2022

Shih Tzu Puppy, Gucci

At Arbourside Court, in Surrey BC, we recognize how important our furry friends are. We pride ourselves on being pet friendly and feel that pets can contribute to healthy aging and even a longer life! We encourage all of our residents to bring their pets to live with us, we love the extra company. We also understand that although our residents may love pets, some of us don’t have the day-to-day time or mobility to care for their own. That’s why we have introduced our exciting new pet therapy program.

Benefits of Pet Therapy

Pet therapy has become a popular form of compassionate care across many communities and is especially valuable for healthy aging. Studies suggest that pets can positively influence factors that contribute to longevity, including reducing stress, combating loneliness, facilitating resiliency, decreasing cardiovascular disease, and just plain having fun. Being around pets also gives people the opportunity to show care and feel connections. Studies have even shown that pet therapy can result in improved memory and mental stimulation.

 

Our Therapy Dog, Gucci

At Arbourside, Gucci, our adorable three-month-old Shih Tzu is great company for our residents! He is available for in-suite visits every Thursday and has been so excited to spend time with so many new people. Gucci has been a huge hit in our community and residents have loved getting to know our new furry friend. Our residents personally find that interacting with Gucci decreases their stress, depression, and anxiety.

 

Gucci and Anna

Today, we will talk about Gucci’s impact on our resident, Anna. Anna has been with us at Arbourside since 2016 and is from Hungary. She speaks very little English, and this interview was done via Google translate. Anna lost her dog 3 years ago as it needed to be rehomed due to her mobility and health issues. She has very little family nearby, and Gucci has brought her joy with every visit. During their therapy sessions, Gucci and Anna enjoy time on the couch cuddling, talking to each other, and of course, enjoying treats. Pet therapy is definitely a bright spot for Anna. It gives her something every week to look forward to and enjoy, and once again, have a pet to love.

Woman in pink sitting on couch holding therapy dog

Book A Dog Therapy Session With Gucci

            Gucci is working hard to keep us all company every Thursday. All of our residents are invited to book some quality time with him. Signup is available in the activity book, and we encourage residents to signup quickly as this little guy is very popular and often fully booked.

woman holding therapy dog and smilingwoman in chair holding therapy dog

The Opposite Of Old Folks at Arbourside

August 08, 2022

Two women smiling and talking

When most people think of the term, old folks home, the image that pops up is bleak and dull. At our community, Arbourside Court, in sunny Surrey, BC, we bust the stigmatizing myths around aging. The residents in our community are people enjoying all the freedom and flexibility of living on their own, not old folks. We take care of day-to-day responsibilities, so residents in our tight-knit community can focus on the things that bring joy to their lives. Residents enjoy little to no daily responsibilities, a simple life most of us haven’t had since we lived under mom’s roof. We think of our community as an all-inclusive resort, in the heart of Surrey. We take care of housekeeping, home upkeep, day-to-day chores and more. Gone are the days of large grocery shops, our amazing chefs prepare three homecooked, hearty meals, daily. In between meals, our residents enjoy snacks and beverages with one another all day in our bistro. 

The most valuable aspect of life at Arbourside is not only the freedom and independence but the peace of mind for families and loved ones. We know transitioning into an independent living community can be intimidating for both residents and their family members. Resident health and wellbeing are our top priority. We provide emergency response pendants and a night responder to ensure support is in place to assist the residents. Our long-time dedicated staff become extended family to residents and a big, beautiful community built on trust and understanding. 

 We take our residents’ interests and abilities into account and schedule an array of activities, every day. We encourage creativity with regular crafts and art classes. Residents of all abilities stay active with yoga, fitness and much more! We even work out our brains with mental aerobics and stay calm with meditation. Residents enjoy social opportunities every day like bingo, movie nights and so much more. 

When you think about old folks, you probably think partying is out of the question. Not here at Arbourside. We dance and sing at parties and host live music at least once a month. Almost as if we’re college freshmen in a dorm, our best friends are only steps away. The wonderful friendships made in our community are so special. We can attest that living at Arbourside is a life full of love and friendships, truly making the golden years golden.