One thing stands out in Pamela Brown’s memory from visiting The Glenshiel during her years as a practising community health nurse.
“My recollection from those times was that it was always a friendly place,” she says.
Since becoming a Glenshiel resident in 2012, Pamela gets to experience that warm, welcoming feeling firsthand on a daily basis. Whether it’s sharing a meal with fellow residents in the dining room, enjoying the weekly Scrabble session in the comfortable lounge, or taking in one of the many special talks or events that happen here, it’s always a nice place to be or come home to, she says.
It’s nice to be close to family
When she made the decision to move into The Glenshiel from her home on Saturna Island – “another wonderful community,” she says – her children were “absolutely amazed.”
“They knew that I liked to entertain and I do like to cook,” she says, noting the meals are looked after here, while organizing social activities is shared by residents and Glenshiel staff. “But I think it was a very good decision. I’m at risk of a stroke, so I’m much handier here than on Saturna.”
Her extended family is quite large: she has three daughters and their families living in the area, while most of her 10 stepchildren and their families are close by as well. She appreciates having so much family around, especially when some people have few or no relatives living nearby.
“I’ve got loads of grandchildren and great grandchildren, at least 25 of each,” she boasts.
Regular outings work well with in-house activities
Beside visiting her children once a week and catching up on the news, Pamela enjoys taking in Sunday services at Christ Church Cathedral, where she was once an active member of the choir. She achieved a second-place finish in the Greater Victoria Music Festival for soprano voice years ago, but limits her singing these days to carolling with fellow residents, “where I can blend in, like in a choir,” she says.
In her time at The Glenshiel she has caught the bus to North Saanich for regular swims at Panorama Recreation Centre. Other outings include Butchart Gardens – she has a season’s pass – or Beaver Lake Park to pick blackberries.
Closer to home she’s a member of the James Bay New Horizons seniors activity centre and, despite having somewhat limited mobility, still likes to walk through nearby Beacon Hill Park or to get groceries in James Bay Square.
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With quiet, private suites in the award-winning 1908 heritage building range from bed-sitting rooms to two-room suites, while modern upgrades and amenities ensure safe, comfortable living for the approximately 70 residents. Affordable monthly fees include three home-cooked meals with a choice of entree daily plus snacks, housekeeping and linen change, laundry facilities, basic cable and local phone calls, plus welcoming front desk staff available around the clock.
Learn more about The Glenshiel independent living for seniors at theglenshiel.bc.ca or call Lynn Larsen at 250-383-4164.