For nearly a decade, Marilyn Wax has been an active resident at The Village of Arbour Trails, always eager to help in any way she can to create a stronger community. As she reflects on her experience living in the Village, she speaks of the importance of developing relationships and meaningful connections among residents and team members to help combat the risk of loneliness that can affect many people in the later stages of life.
A conversation with Marilyn, who serves the Village as president of Residents’ Council, is a heartfelt reminder of the power of community and the need for connection, especially through the complexities of the aging process. Thankfully, the Village is designed to create space for neighbours to easily become friends.
“The best thing to do is to go to the café and have a coffee, and you'll find somebody to talk to for sure,” she says, offering a bit of advice for those who are just settling in. She highlights the significance of having a supportive environment, likening the community to a protective cocoon, and she says the people who thrive in the Village are those who strive to take part in what it has to offer.
As a former resident of the neighbouring Village by the Arboretum (VBA), Marilyn maintains strong ties with her neighbours there, and as part of the residents’ council she’s always eager to create opportunities for people from Arbour Trails and the VBA to come together. Some of that has come in the form of collective celebrations, such as the VBA’s 30th Anniversary celebration held in 2024, and the Village has also hosted education seminars organized for residents to learn about issues that tend to affect older adults. They’ve had local politicians speak and they’ve discussed the increased prevalence of fraud targeting seniors, and they’re eager to delve into the complex topic of dementia.
One of the most impactful in her mind was the session dealing with the topic of medical assistance in dying (MAID), a subject Marilyn feels strongly about. She believes in the importance of having dignified options for those suffering from severe illnesses, and she says the retired minister who spoke on the subject when they hosted to the seminar did so with kindness and grace.
“It was so tasteful and so well done,” she says, “and it is such and important discussion and conversation to have.”
Overall, Marilyn's insights provide a heartfelt look into life at Arbour Trails for those who share space and time together in the late stages of life, and she highlights the beauty of shared community. Her dedication to improving the quality of life for her fellow residents is truly inspiring.
- Previous
- View All News
- Next
