When I was growing up, I used to visit my grandparents in their senior living apartment building. It was a good place — safe, comfortable, and calm — but as a kid, I remember wishing it felt a bit more alive. The halls were quiet, the common room was often empty, and there wasn’t much that brought people together. I didn’t have the language for it then, but looking back, the energy didn’t match the vibrant lives the residents had lived.
Years later, when I found myself stepping into the senior living world professionally, that memory came flooding back. I thought, “We can bring more life into this.”
Why Engagement Needs to Feel Alive
Activities alone aren’t the goal — it’s the connection they create that matters.
Most senior communities have activities. The real difference is whether those activities create joy, anticipation, conversation, and belonging — or simply fill time. Engagement should help people feel something, not just stay occupied.
One of my favourite examples happened during our monthly intergenerational birthday celebration at Harbour Landing Village. Children from our childcare program helped make handmade cards, proudly sang Happy Birthday, and delivered cupcakes to residents. The change in the room was immediate. Conversations sparked, smiles widened, and residents leaned in — fully present in the moment. One resident quietly said, “This feels like a family birthday again.” Another shared afterward, “I haven’t laughed this hard in decades. I feel ten years younger.” That’s the spark we’re aiming for!
Bringing the Outside In
Not every older adult can head out to concerts, festivals, or community events like they used to. But that doesn’t mean they should lose access to the experiences that bring joy, culture, and connection.
So, we ask ourselves:
If they can’t always go out there, how can we bring “out there” in here?
Two of our signature examples:
Country Jamboree
Inspired by Saskatchewan’s rural traditions, Country Thunder, Canadian Western Agribition, and the old Buffalo Days/Queen City Ex, we blended elements of each into our own all-ages, all-day celebration of food, music, and community — right here at home.
Cultural Mosaic Expo
Inspired by Regina’s Mosaic Festival and brought to life by our team, this event celebrates cultural diversity through food, music, dress, dance, and storytelling. Residents, families, children, and staff all experience it together, and it is always a highlight of the year.
These aren’t “activities.” They are experiences that create belonging, identity, and joy.
Raising the Bar — Together
We can — and should — raise the bar on what engagement in senior living looks and feels like. Safety and care matter deeply, but life is what makes it feel meaningful.
My hope is that we continue building communities where people don’t just live… but live fully.
Written by Janson Anderson | President & CEO |Harbour Landing Village