www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 15, 2016 | 42 Advertorial SENIORS HOUSING TRENDS & EVOLVING CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS According to Statistics Canada, there are now more Canadians over the age of 65 than children aged 15 and under - the first ever occurrence of such findings. In fact, the growth of the senior population is continuing at such a steady pace that it is impacting a range of housing trends from single-floor plans, to right-sizing to retirement living. According to Maxime Camerlain, Vice President of Marketing at Chartwell, Canada's largest retirement residence operator, the demographic wave is already upon us with the senior of today looking for a modern retirement residence to act as a backdrop to their goal of maintaining an active lifestyle. "We are seeing more and more retirees make the choice proactively to seek out a living environment that offers a naturally occurring social-synergy whether from casual interactions in the bistro to innovative lifestyle programs that might include a chef visiting the demontive, compared to others who weren't. "It is actually the senior living alone that is contrary to the natural "We are wired to seek out interaction and engagement and retirement living is truly an interactive community." stration kitchen for a tasting event or a local art centre hosting a class on site." Frequent socialization is also thought to boost cognitive functioning with demonstrated links between participating in activities with others and strong mental health. A recent study in the Journal of Neuropsychological Society found that the rate of cognitive decline dropped by an average of 70 per cent in seniors who were frequently socially acpattern of humans as social beings," adds Mr. Camerlain. "We are wired to seek out interaction and engagement and retirement living is truly an interactive community." This movement towards both an independent as well as interdependent lifestyle in retirement mirrors the social patterns we create throughout our lives, from spending time with family, to working with colleagues to joining activity or sporting groups. In fact, accord- ing to Statistics Canada, research shows that the greater number of frequent social activities that a senior participates in, the higher the odds of them reporting positive, self-perceived wellness, and the lower the odds of reporting themselves lonely or dissatisfied with life. "You get the benefits of having the privacy and comfort of your individual suite but with the choice to meet up with friends for a fitness class or to attend an activity in the community or just to catch up at the end of the day over dinner and a glass of wine. It is having choices that really defines today's retirement living experience," he adds. As the seniors population expands, Chartwell is responding with a growth strategy aimed at developing retirement communities with modern amenities and top-quality services in active urban centres. "We're trying new things to respond to our customer's evolving expectations," adds Mr. Camerlain. "Our new Chartwell Waterford Retirement Residence in the West Oak Trails neighbourhood of Oakville will offer a pet spa and a family-friendly zone as well as beautifully landscaped courtyards and maître-d' dining in additional to a casual bisto. At Chartwell, we're here to be the backdrop to our residents lives, but also to make their lives better. We do that by doing what we do best, offering them an exceptional service experience in a place they are proud to call home." If you are interested in learning more about Chartwell Waterford Retirement Residence or to learn more about their service offering visit chartwell.com OAKVILLE'S NEWEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Our Presentation Centre is now open. Come experience how this new residence can help make your life better. RSVP AT 289-644-2951 TODAY! INFORMATION SESSION SEPT. 21 · 6-8 PM PRESENTATION CENTRE · Westoak Trails Plaza 2983 Westoak Trails Blvd., Oakville AT THE GLEN ABBEY GOLF CLUB 1333 Dorval Dr., Oakville