You made it! Welcome to your new home at United Active Living—we’re so excited to get to know you, and to help you get settled into your new home.

Perhaps you’ve downsized? Most certainly, you’ve crossed things off a list in preparation for your move. You’ve chosen your suite. Then moving day, unpacking, and a flurry of activity as you work to make your new home feel like…home. Now what?

No different than moving to any new community, it can feel overwhelming to introduce yourself to new neighbours. You may be uncertain about life in the community. What should you do with that programming calendar? What about meal time—it is okay to join others in the dining room?

We know it is a big change to move into a seniors’ community, but we think you’ll find your new neighbours—and our team—to be quite a welcoming bunch.

To help you move past those first-day jitters, here are a few tips for you and your loved ones to make the transition as smooth as possible, adjust to your new lifestyle, and begin to reap the benefits of living in a United Active Living community.

Take some time to say goodbyeIt’s hard to say goodbye to the place you called home. After all, you may have spent many years in your family home, with many fond memories of life and family attached to that special place. It’s okay to feel sad, to grieve, and to acknowledge the loss. Keep some pictures handy, and enjoy reminiscing with your loved ones over family holidays, and how your family has grown and changed over the years.

Make your suite your ownWhile you’re familiarizing yourself with your new suite, you can get to know your new space by personalizing it with your favourite artwork, photos, furniture, and even your pets! Welcome your family for an “Open House” (our team would love to help you host—either in your suite, or in the private dining room). It can be invigorating to start creating new memories with your loved ones in your new home.

Join in—when you’re readyRemember being the new kid at school? New names to learn. Social connections to make. Spaces to navigate. We understand seeing a crowded dining room or a busy workshop can make someone feel self-conscious, and unsure of if they might fit in. It’s okay to start small, and move at your own pace while joining the community. Take it day-by-day, and feel free to chat with any of our amazing team members—we’re excited to show you the ropes…on your terms of course!

Get to know your teamSpeaking of team members, there’s an entire team at your service! The Culinary Team will get to know your discerning tastes and preferences and is here to elevate your daily dining experience. Our Fitness Team can help you achieve your fitness goals at your pace—with daily classes and even one-on-one sessions. The Creative Expressions Team will inspire you to try something new—an experience, an art project, or even an outing with one of our many community partners! Our Environmental Services team will keep your space looking bright and tidy and is at your service to address any maintenance needs. The United Cares Team offers a variety of health and wellness services—which are available as part of our Wellness Club for scheduled care or as Wellness on Demand for unscheduled care. Our residents agree: our people are one of the best things about living in a United community. Together, we’re here to ensure you can make the most of your United experience!

Join us for dinnerWho doesn’t love sharing a meal with loved ones? If you’re missing family connection, invite your loved ones to dinner, anytime. No special occasion needed, just book a reservation in the dining room or private dining room with Concierge, and we’ll take care of the rest. Looking for a special menu? Reach out to our Culinary Team and together, we’ll plan something special.

Stick around for programmingIf family is stopping by to visit, invite them to join you in a workshop, attend a lecture, or even just enjoy making use of our spaces which are designed for you to connect. We love having guests at United, so if you’re a part of a group like a book club or a volunteer organization, let us know! We’re happy to host you and your group for meetings and ensure your guests receive a warm United welcome too.

Attend the welcome teaSpeaking of bonding over food, drop by our monthly welcome tea enjoy some tasty treats and be officially introduced to everyone! Chances are, you’ll walk away with a few new friends, and maybe even some dinner plans! Check your programming calendar, and be sure to drop by!

Happening now at UnitedUnited has an action-packed itinerary of outings, workshops, talks, and special events that offer a myriad of opportunities to connect, learn, and try something new. Download the monthly calendar for each community here, or be on the lookout for the calendar to be delivered to your door.

We’re social! Connect with usWant to know more about what’s coming up at United each month? Or read up on the latest topics United is passionate about? Or perhaps you’d like to catch the highlights of our adventures and see if you’ve made a cameo on our social media pages! Sign up for our newsletter and United’s blog here, and follow us on our Instagram and Facebook pages and see what we’ve been up to!

Bring a friendIn 2023 more than 20% of new residents joined the community through a referral from a current resident. We consider referrals the highest compliment!If you know someone who would benefit from living at United Active Living, our referral program is a great option: ask one of our Active Living Advisors for details!

And finally…

Be yourself. We like you just the way you are

The best part of living in a United community is that we’re all about celebrating you for being uniquely you (after all, one of our values is individuality). Take part in the workshops that entice you, dine when you like, with who you like, and pursue your hobbies as you wish. Your time is yours to keep, and we want you to know we’re here so you can enjoy life and pursue your passions. Welcome to United—we can’t wait to get to know you even better!