Rose Deck has had her Christmas decorations up since mid-November, but the display on her door at hasn鈥檛 reached its final arrangement.
鈥淚 keep changing it. I do a lot of crafts, both on my own and with other residents, so I have to keep updating my door decorations,鈥� she says.
Rose is currently busy crocheting little Christmas tree decorations for all her neighbours, since many of them loved the display on her door, but that鈥檚 far from the only thing filling her days.
鈥淚鈥檓 involved in almost everything: shuffleboard, yoga, boot camp, line dancing, carpet bowling鈥� a group of us learned to do ballet dancing. There鈥檚 something going on all the time.鈥�
鈥業t was the best thing I ever did鈥�
Rose and her husband researched a number of retirement communities in the area a few years ago, and had their names down at Berwick. Then Rose鈥檚 husband passed away and the pandemic hit, and she moved into Berwick alone.
鈥淚t was the best thing I ever did. It relieved me of a lot of stress back home, and sad memories,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 quarantined at first, but they treated me very well. They brought goodies to the door every day, and everybody on staff made a point to come check on me. I called it heaven.鈥�
offers an instant community to seniors who are feeling isolated, with daily opportunities to socialize and plenty of special events to make new memories.
鈥淐hristmas here last year, that just blew my mind! I鈥檝e never had so much fun, they thought of almost everything.鈥�
After a year of travel restrictions, in December 2020 the Berwick staff organized an imaginary flight to Hawaii. Staff dressed as flight attendants, checked diners鈥� passports, announced safety instructions and even passed out peanuts and pretzels with a pre-dinner cocktail. Then they disappeared and came back dressed in tropical clothes, and did one more costume change to return as reindeer pulling a sleigh.
鈥淭he staff put on a skit every year. It鈥檚 not exactly professional entertainment, but it鈥檚 a lot of fun!鈥� says Community Relations Manager Jolene Shaw. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of stress and anxiety in the world, and in our little corner of the community we try to spread joy.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 not an old folks home,鈥� adds Rose. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just like a resort.鈥�
Berwick Comox Valley offers flexible, upscale and affordable senior living options. To book a tour or learn more about Berwick, contact Jolene Shaw or Michele Williams at 250-890-2346 or email bcv.marketingmgr@berwickrc.com. Follow Berwick Comox Valley on to keep up with all the events happening inside and around this vibrant community in the Comox Valley!