With the second wave of COVID-19 in effect, seniors might be nervous about moving. Some might worry about the hassle; others have heard about outbreaks and lockdowns in long-term care facilities and worry if that applies to all senior living settings. In reality, several privately operated independent retirement communities like PARC are safe havens, offering social connection, safety and support.
Here are six reasons why now is the smartest time to move into a PARC Residence.
1. It’s the safest choice.
Throughout the pandemic, PARC communities have stayed completely COVID-free. PARC has several levels of health-and-safety defence in place by default, including intensive sanitization and 24-hour staff support. So, as the pandemic intensified, it wasn’t a stretch to step up protocols to protect residents from COVID-19. Residents even have multiple “Safer Choice” options for in-person visiting with family and friends, like the PARC Family Eatery (available to all North Shore PARC residents and families), PARC Family Meetup Centres and Al Fresco thermal dining tents.
2. Residents are free to come and go.
Residents are mobile and actively engaged in activities both within and outside the residence. As PARC offers private independent living, they are not subject to enhanced regulations governing provincially supported long-term and continuing care homes and facilities. Rather, PARC’s communities voluntarily follow the rules and guidelines set out by B.C. public health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, just like everyone else, albeit with a little extra.
3. PARC communities have everything seniors need onsite.
The PARC lifestyle packages everything needed for a vibrant, healthy and enriched lifestyle: dining and nutrition, arts and culture programming, health and wellness support, transportation and more. PARC residences have even begun holding indoor farmer’s style markets so residents can grocery-shop close to home. Residents only leave the community when they want to—or not at all.
4. The real estate market is hot right now.
Despite predictions, the B.C. real estate market didn’t slow down as a result of COVID-19. Markets across the Lower Mainland posted record sales this summer and fall. With strict COVID-19 safety procedures in place to protect home sellers and buyers, it’s a great time to sell a home and consider a move into an independent retirement community.
5. Moving doesn’t have to be a hassle.
Doing it all on your own, from decluttering to packing and hiring movers, can be stressful. This is why PARC will connect seniors with a trusted “transition specialist,” to help oversee everything, including setup and unpacking for the new suite space. They can even provide staging expertise to help the old home stand out to potential buyers.
6. Everyone deserves a vibrant social life.
Seniors living alone can lose meaningful social connections at the best of times, especially with the current public health restrictions where social interactions have been restricted to immediate households until January 8, 2021. With limited friends or family, seniors can become even more socially isolated. At PARC, neighbours and staff are part of the social bubble so you are never alone. PARC’s tight-knit communities are keeping full calendars of activities, classes, dining events and more, so residents still enjoy a vibrant and independent lifestyle.
