News & Events

The Lifestyle Department at Vi at Lakeside Village has always sought to help residents connect with each other and to discover new passions and hobbies in retirement. However, just like the rest of the world, we had to adapt to a new normal as stay-at-home orders continued across the country. As many residents choose to spend more time in their apartments, our Lifestyle Department, with the help of staff members across all teams, jumped into action to find creative ways to bring the sense of community and connection to the residents.

“The entire team, staff and residents, are working together. There is a real appreciativeness on both sides for the collective effort,” shared Lifestyle Director Tamara Sawicz.

Below, discover just a few of the ways that staff members keep residents engaged and connected while keeping them safely apart:

1. Dining in and al fresco.

On the culinary side, our teams have shifted seamlessly from dine-in to delivery, even adding opportunities to surprise and delight with birthdays, holidays and just-because days observed with personalized treats, notes and themed meals delivered directly to front doors.

2. Staying fit and having fun.

Our team works together to bring the same fitness and wellness programs offered in the gym to our residents directly via the community TV channel. Yoga, meditation and functional fitness classes are staggered throughout the day to ensure residents can partake as their schedules allow. And residents are encouraged to get outside and enjoy the outdoor spaces within the community as much as possible.

“Resident Peter Ryland sets off from the community’s dock on Lake Osborne at least twice a week,” shared Tamara. Read more about Peter, also known as the 'Kayak Guy.'

3. Going techie

Staff and tech savvy residents work together to get the less technologically inclined comfortable with online communication tools like Zoom and FaceTime® Voice and Video Calling. Staff work diligently to equip personal devices and community tablets with the applications and troubleshoot any issues as they come up. Residents are able to reconnect quickly and regularly with friends and family across the country on their tablets and phones.

4. Encouraging connections.

With residents set up with user-friendly voice and video calling apps, existing groups and clubs were able to resume meetings, from book clubs to choir practices. Residents also host online luncheons, happy hours and dinner parties.

And the Lifestyle Department facilitated the return of a little friendly competition and camaraderie by equipping residents with access and instructions to virtual group Bridge games. Residents can set up games against fellow Vi residents from the comfort of home.

5. Getting creative.

And as for entertainment, staff members from every department pulled out all the stops.

In addition to curating and delivering content like movies and lectures through “Stir Crazy,” part of a mobile app provided to all Vi residents, staff conceptualize and record their own videos, like live bingo, comedy skits and variety shows.

Even the residents have been getting in on the fun, offering to share their own talents, hobbies and expertise with their neighbors.

“We’ve filmed ‘Laughter with Linda,’ a storytelling/comedy show with our very own resident storyteller Linda Spitzer that airs on our in-house television channel,” said Tamara.

The creativity and resourcefulness of staff members at the community show no signs of stopping. Every day, they continue to find new ways to connect with residents and to connect residents with each other. And residents appreciate the hard work.

“They are all so positive and social. They say they are enjoying the present and are grateful for the opportunities they have to continue to connect with each other and with staff here at Vi at Lakeside Village,” Tamara said.