I’ve toured a lot of retirement homes, and the things that make a home memorable aren’t always the biggest or flashiest amenities.
Sometimes it’s the little things you notice while you’re there.
I recently spent the day at Lanark Village in Kitchener, and what stood out to me most was how comfortable people seemed to be. Residents stopped to talk with each other. Team members knew residents by name and what they like. There were cozy places to sit throughout the home, beautiful gardens outside, and residents who were genuinely involved in their community.
A Retirement Home Surrounded by Green Space
The outdoor spaces are one of the first things that stood out to me.
Lanark Village is located in Kitchener’s Forest Heights neighbourhood, surrounded by green space, with a walking path around the property and access to a trail just off campus.
There are gardens, patios and plenty of places to sit outside, but my favourite part was seeing how residents have made some of the outdoor space their own.
That includes the raised garden beds.
I met resident Don beside the garden, where he told me about growing tomatoes, cucumbers, basil and other vegetables being grown in the garden beds by residents.
Gardening isn’t new to Don. It goes all the way back to his childhood and his grandfather’s garden.
Now he’s continuing it at Lanark Village.
“We love it. We love doing it. And I can assure you that the residents love it as well. They stop there and talk and chat.”
Some of what they grow even makes its way to the culinary team, including basil and cucumbers.
But what I liked most about Don’s story was that the garden wasn’t really just about vegetables.
It’s beside the walking path, so other residents regularly stop to see what’s growing and have a conversation – or gossip on the right way to grow tomatoes!
A Simple Way for Residents to Have a Voice
I was introduced to Don to learn more about the Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down cards.
The idea is incredibly simple.
Residents and their loved ones can fill out a green Thumbs Up card when there’s something they appreciate or someone they want to recognize.
They can use a red Thumbs Down card when there’s something they think could be improved.
Don’s Thumbs Up card was for the gardening team, thanking them for the plants, materials, advice and assistance they provided to help residents establish their 2026 vegetable garden.
It’s a small example, but I think the program says something important about the culture of a retirement home.
It creates a simple, visible way for residents to say both “I appreciate this” or “I think this could be better.”
And then I met Betty.
“Talk to the Residents”
Betty had written a Thumbs Up card about the program itself.
When I asked her about it, she told me something that I think anyone touring a retirement home should hear:
“Talk to the residents.”
It’s simple advice, but it’s good advice.
When you tour a retirement home, you’ll see the building, suites and amenities. You’ll meet the people whose job it is to show you around.
Residents experience the home every day.
Betty talked openly with me about things she had raised with the team, her experience with the food, and how staff have gotten to know her routines and preferences.
For example, Betty prefers her main meal at lunch and something lighter at dinner.
The dining team knows that.
“They already know from the kitchen, ‘Oh yeah, Betty.’”
That might seem like a small thing. But those small things can be what make somewhere feel like home.
Food Is a Big Deal at Lanark Village
I heard about the food from more than one resident during my visit.
And I pay attention when residents are the ones telling me that.
Lanark Village offers meals in its dining room as well as more casual options, with food also playing a role in activities and social life.
But my favourite part of our conversation was hearing about baking.
Betty loves to cook and bake, and the team knows it. She told me they’ll ask for her opinion and incorporate residents’ suggestions.
She has even brought some of her own recipes into the home’s baking activities, including a chocolate chip cake.
As Betty put it:
“She always gets me involved, which I like. That feels like home.”
I think that’s a great example of the difference between simply providing activities and creating opportunities for residents to continue doing the things they’ve always enjoyed.
Lots of Places to Spend Your Day
Lanark Village has plenty of amenities, but what I liked was the variety.
One of my favourite spots in the entire home might also have the best view from a puzzle table I’ve seen in senior living.
The puzzle table sits in front of a huge window overlooking the walking path and the forest beyond it. It’s a simple space, but I loved it. You can sit down, work on a puzzle, watch people walking by and look out into the trees.
There’s a café, craft kitchen, fitness centre, library, dining room and Forestview Lounge, along with gardens, patios and other sitting areas throughout the home.
The spaces don’t all feel the same, either.
Some are designed for activities and socializing. Others are quieter places where you can read, have a coffee or spend some time with a friend or family member.
Throughout my day, I kept seeing residents and team members interacting in these spaces.
That contributed to the overall feeling I got from Lanark Village. It felt cozy, active and lived-in.
Not like a building full of amenities waiting to be used, but a home where people were actually using them.
Suites Designed for Different Needs
Lanark Village offers different accommodation and support options depending on what someone needs.
Residents can choose from a variety of suite layouts, including one and two-bedroom options, with kitchenettes and private bathrooms available.
The home also offers different levels of support, from Independent Living to Independent Supportive Living and Enriched Care.
We had an opportunity to step inside several suites during my visit, including two different studio layouts.
For someone considering Lanark Village, seeing the suites on video can give you an idea of the space, but I’d still recommend touring in person. How a suite feels and how it connects to the rest of the home can be difficult to judge from dimensions or photos alone.
What Made Lanark Village Stand Out to Me
By the end of the day, I didn’t leave Lanark Village thinking primarily about any one amenity.
I thought about Don and the tomatoes.
I thought about Betty telling families to talk to the residents.
I thought about the kitchen knowing Betty prefers a lighter dinner, and the baking program incorporating one of her old recipes.
I thought about the residents stopping beside the raised garden beds to see what was growing on a stroll on the walking path.
And I thought about how often I saw team members talking and engaging with residents as I walked through the home.
The walking trails, gardens, café, craft kitchen, fitness centre, library and forest view lounge certainly add to the experience. But what made the home feel special to me was seeing residents participating in the community rather than simply living in it.
Considering Lanark Village in Kitchener?
If you’re exploring retirement homes in Kitchener for yourself or an aging loved one, Lanark Village is a home I’d encourage you to experience in person.
Tour the suites. Walk through the gardens. See the amenities. Ask about the different levels of care.
And take Betty’s advice:
Talk to the residents.
They may tell you more about what it’s really like to live there than anyone else can.
