A Journey Into Community: My Visit to Presentation Manor

Introduction: A Symphony of First Impressions

As I sat in the lobby ahead of my tour, the air filled with the swell of live classical music drifting up from the grand room below. A quartet consisting of three violinists and a cellist was performing a vibrant repertoire ranging from Vivaldi to ABBA. Complete with puppets for a few lighthearted laughs, it was a worldly and whimsical performance that set a joyful tone for the day. While taking in the music, I immediately noticed the thoughtful layout of the space around me. With various seating areas, a large stone fireplace and plenty of room to move, it felt both grand and homey. As this was my first official tour of a retirement community, I was not entirely sure what to expect. I took the opportunity to simply soak in the cheerful atmosphere and observe the daily rhythms of the house. 

Independent Living at Presentation Manor: Autonomy and Resident-Led Vitality

As I began the tour with my host, Bremen, I had a real sense of the social fabric of the home. He stopped to say hello to many of the residents and it was clear he knew them personally. The majority of the residence is dedicated to Independent Living and consists of 178 suites, ranging from 325 square foot studios to expansive 749 square foot two-bedroom apartments. 

Life here is defined by what I observed as resident-led vitality and autonomy. One of the best examples of this is the tuck shop. It is entirely run by the residents themselves and the money earned goes directly back into home initiatives that the residents decide upon together. There is also a gorgeous media room where movies are shown and the space also doubles as a lecture hall. I was told that talks are often held there by residents who are former professors. The room itself is quite inviting. The comfy leather chairs and dim lighting made me think it would be a perfect spot for an afternoon nap between social events.

For those in Independent Living, the package is comprehensive. It covers three meals per day, weekly housekeeping, and well-being monitoring. Residents who need a little extra help can pay for services a la carte. You can pay for a variety of services you may need, including continence care, mobility assistance and help with medications. For those receiving care through Ontario Health at Home, the providers come directly to the suites. 

Assisted Living at Presentation Manor: Personalized Support with a Private Touch

The home features 51 Assisted Living suites. While the physical rooms look like the Independent units, the experience is tailored for those who need more support throughout the day. One detail I found particularly thoughtful was the dining arrangement. Instead of the large and bustling main hall, Assisted Living residents have their own separate dining rooms. These are much smaller and serve approximately 12 residents each and are spread out throughout the Assisted Living area. Each of these dining rooms has its own lounge and even its own outdoor terrace. This means residents do not have to travel far to enjoy some fresh air or a change of scenery. I also learned that if a resident is feeling under the weather, the home offers a complementary tray service for up to three days. The staff can even support complex needs like Hoyer lifts. This essentially means they can provide almost complete care as a resident’s needs change over time. Care can be provided almost “everywhere and anywhere” with nursing stations on each floor and/or care providers coming to the rooms. To maintain the homey feel I noticed in the lobby, they purposefully avoid dispensing medication in the main dining room. They do not want a clinical feel to interrupt the social enjoyment of a shared meal. In Assisted Living, many care services are part of the monthly package, and additional services can be added as needed.

Memory Care at Presentation Manor: A Sanctuary of Seasons and Nostalgia

The Memory Care wing is a self-contained sanctuary with its own dedicated elevator. Walking into this section, I was struck by how warm and welcoming it felt. It did not feel like a unit in a hospital. It felt like a friend’s house. The communal kitchen and dining area has its own terrace and two pet birds who cheerfully sang as we entered.

The design here is incredibly thoughtful. The common areas have a decor reminiscent of decades past and the hallways are painted in colours and designs correlating to the four seasons to help with navigation. Each resident’s door is painted differently. There are even plans to have them painted to match the front doors of the residents’ former homes to provide a sense of recognition. I was also surprised by the size of the Memory Care suites. They are large enough that there is plenty of room for overnight guests, who are welcome to stay on cots provided by the home. Because moving into Memory Care is such a significant life change, the manor offers a 30-day trial stay. It is one of the many ways they clearly work in the best interests of the families during a difficult transition. The care services that are included in Memory Care are quite extensive and generally adhere to an all-inclusive model of pricing, with some very personalized support for an additional fee.

Overall Impressions: An Inclusive Village

My tour concluded back in the grand room from which I had first heard the music. This room is the main dining hall and it is beautiful. With soaring high ceilings and gorgeous natural light pouring in from floor-to-ceiling windows, it is a stunning space that feels both elegant and inviting. The home itself is a low-rise building spread over a lovely property. This architectural choice prevents it from ever feeling institutional or cold.

One cannot talk about this home without mentioning the chapel. Custom-built for the manor, it is a beautiful and large space that highlights how important spiritual care is here. It makes sense given the number of residents who are retired clergy members. However, the home remains incredibly inclusive. They welcome people of all religions and ethnicities. They even have a world map on display showing that the residents have roots in many countries around the world. Seeing that global representation really drove home the sense of community. Being an independent non-profit retirement home, Presentation Manor seems to have the freedom to be creative and adaptive. The focus is always on the person. It is a place that strives to be more than just a residence. It is a place that strives to be a true home.