Above average, by design

When people tell us why they chose a United Active Living community, their answer is often surprisingly simple.

"I just knew."

Location matters. So do beautiful suites, dining, care options, and amenities. But what ultimately convinces many people isn't something you can find on a brochure. It's the feeling you get within minutes of walking through the front doors.

It's seeing people laughing over coffee. It's hearing live music drifting through the halls. It's watching employees greet residents by name. It's noticing the energy, the warmth, and the genuine connections happening all around you.

“Everybody was smiling and happy to be here,” says Janice, a resident at United’s Fish Creek community. “When we visited for the first time, the community was so vibrant, and we knew right away that we had found our place.” Janice continues, “Everyone was so welcoming, our fellow residents, the team – we felt the sense of community almost immediately. We love it here.”

At United, that sense of community isn’t accidental. It’s the result of a commitment to continually raising the bar: from exceptional dining and innovative programming to relationship-centred care, industry-leading cognitive support options, and active living experiences that help people thrive.

Every United community has its own personality, but they all share one thing in common: a belief that "good enough" never really is.

Beyond the menu

For more than 50 years, Trinity Lodge has served Calgary seniors, creating a warm and welcoming place to call home. Residents gather in the Glenmore Dining Room, where Chef Allen has spent more than three decades creating memorable dining experiences. His remarkable tenure reflects something you'll find throughout the community: many team members have devoted decades of their careers to Trinity Lodge, with some beginning in the dining room before growing into roles across the community. Those lasting relationships create a sense of familiarity, continuity, and belonging that residents feel every day.

Across United communities, we've never believed dining should be one-size-fits-all. Residents enjoy chef-prepared meals made with quality ingredients, along with the flexibility to choose from a variety of delicious options each day. It's hospitality over routine, choice over compromise, and one more way we continue to raise the bar for everyday living.

More than a program calendar

Programming at United goes beyond filling the calendar. It's about creating experiences people genuinely look forward to, whether that's discovering a new passion, revisiting a lifelong interest, or saying "yes" to something they never expected to try.

Hillary Richardson, Community Relations Manager at The Lodge at Valley Ridge shares common  spaces bring people together, “It’s very apparent that residents love to be out and about in the community,” says Hillary. “We have lots of cozy tucked away spaces where residents can curl up with a book, work on puzzles, or have a coffee with their friends. But the bistro is where the action happens. Tuesday afternoons, you can hear residents and the Culinary Team singing their favourites during the weekly karaoke party. Chef Sany and the Culinary Team go all out to make it a special event.” Hillary laughs, “Even guests and vendors comment on how our community feels like Cheers – everybody knows your name.”

Across United's communities, live concerts, creative workshops, and unique outings fill each day with discovery, from behind-the-scenes dress rehearsals with the Calgary Philharmonic and Alberta Ballet, to private tours at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, theatre performances, and lifelong learning opportunities with local post-secondary partners..

Through partnerships with acclaimed artists like internationally celebrated concert pianist Roman Rabinovich, residents also enjoy intimate performances and conversations with world-class talent right in their own community, creating experiences few older adult communities can offer. It's programming designed not just to keep residents busy, but to inspire curiosity, celebrate creativity, and deepen individual and shared connections to the broader community.

“Our music programming really resonates with the residents here,” says Maddison Klein, Active Living Advisor at Garrison Green. “It’s wonderful to see the connections and the joy it brings to everyone.” Maddison continues, “I love to see friendships blossom, through the moments of connection between us all each day. It’s what makes our community so special and unique.”

Elevating the everyday

Every United community offers its own unique mix of experiences, but the goal is always the same: helping every day feel engaging, fun, meaningful, and anything but ordinary.

At Fish Creek, the vibrant art studio has become a place where residents discover new talents, build confidence, and connect through shared interests. The collaborative mural outside the community’s art studio is a perfect example: it wasn't simply created for residents. It was created by residents.

“You really see residents come out of their shell after attending a few workshops,” says Carolyn Smith, Active Living Advisor at Fish Creek. “Once they discover their creative talents, it’s amazing to watch their confidence grow. Much of the artwork displayed throughout the community was created in our studio, and many residents begin their artistic journey after moving to United.”

“Fish Creek is so vibrant because residents feel a real sense of ownership,” Carolyn adds. “They share their talents, encourage one another, and help shape the culture of the community every day.”

Cultivating authentic connection

The most meaningful amenity isn't found on a floor plan: it's the sense of belonging that comes from genuine relationships. In fact, our resident satisfaction and employee engagement surveys tell us the same story: the connections residents build with one another, and with the team of people who work in their community, are among the strongest drivers of satisfaction and engagement. Those relationships don't just enrich everyday life, they're what make a community feel like home and a workplace feel like family.  

At Lake Bonavista Village, community seems to happen naturally, helped along by thoughtfully designed gathering spaces that invite residents to connect, linger, and share everyday moments together. Residents gather along ‘Main Street’ throughout the day, meeting for coffee, happy hour, activities, or simply stopping to chat with neighbours. Good community design paired with people who genuinely enjoy connecting with one another creates a place where friendships naturally flourish.

Jan Delisle, Community Relations Manager at Lake Bonavista Village reinforces the point:  "Our gorgeous gardens and common spaces set the stage,” Jan says, “but it's the awesome personalities of our residents that truly bring this community to life.”

"What makes our community truly unique and special to me is the people," says Edlyn Balicao, Community Relations Manager at Trinity Lodge. "The moment I walk through the doors, I am surrounded by residents and team members who have become my family, and I know I am home. It's the best feeling in the world."

That feeling of belonging isn't unique to Trinity Lodge or Lake Bonavista Village. It's something both intangible, yet common across each United community, where neighbours become friends, team members become extended family, and everyday moments spark meaningful and memorable connections.

Redefining care and support

Exceptional living means different things to different people, and sometimes it means knowing the right support is available whenever it's needed.

Across United Communities, our relationship-focused approach recognizes that meaningful human connections are at the heart of wellbeing, dignity, and positive outcomes. By building trust, showing empathy, and understanding each person's unique experience, United’s team members create an environment where residents feel valued, respected, and empowered.

“One of the things that makes United different is the flexibility and continuity of care available,” says Kera Redlack, Vice President, Wellness & Experience. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to wellness. Whether someone is accessing Alberta Health Services Home Care, private care, or a combination of both, our role is to help create a personalized plan that evolves alongside their needs.”

At United, care is designed to support independence. At Lake Bonavista Village,  The Lodge at Valley Ridge, and Trinity Lodge, residents receiving approved AHS Home Care with services delivered by United team members who are part of the community and available 24/7. This model fosters stronger relationships, greater continuity, and a seamless experience for residents and families.

At Fish Creek and Garrison Green, residents also have access to United Cares private care services, which can complement the AHS Home Care offering. Services such as overnight support, medication administration, wellness checks, and unscheduled care provide added flexibility and can help residents remain in the community they love longer.

Residents who might benefit from cognitive support have access to United Minds – an innovative memory care service designed to help them thrive within the community alongside friends and neighbours. Through cognitive support services and integrated memory care at our Garrison Green and Fish Creek North communities, residents can continue living meaningful, engaged lives while maintaining the connections that matter most. Rather than defining or separating people by a diagnosis, we focus on abilities, interests, and relationships, creating opportunities for purpose, independence, and joy every day.

“Great care is built on genuine relationships,” says Kera. “When our team members know residents as individuals—their experiences, preferences, and aspirations—they're able to provide support that is responsive, respectful, and meaningful. Those trusted connections help residents feel valued and empowered, giving them the confidence to continue doing the things that bring them joy.”

Raising the bar

Being above average isn't about one impressive amenity or one standout program. It's the hundreds of thoughtful details that come together to create an exceptional experience, every single day.

From chef-inspired dining and enriching experiences to meaningful relationships, innovative care, and spaces designed to bring people together, every element of a United community is intentionally designed to elevate everyday living.

Every United community has its own unique personality, but they all share the same commitment: continually raising the standard for what older adult living can be.

Stop by, spend some time with us, and experience it for yourself. We think you'll understand why so many residents tell us the very same thing:

"I just knew."

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