At the heart of the Innovation Catalyst initiative throughout 2025 is a shared belief that meaningful engagement can transform daily life within a Village community. For two team members from the Village of Erin Meadows who are part of this year’s Catalyst cohort, meaningful engagement is not a routine task but a way of being, a part of the Schlegel Villages culture that touches every resident and every team member.
Noel John Georgekutty, a recreation team member in Long-Term Care, sees engagement as a practice that encompasses key areas of every person’s holistic well being. “Recreation is based on five domains” he says, “physical, cognitive, spiritual, emotional, and social. We plan our activities around these pillars. “Engagement doesn’t always mean an organized activity. It can be a walk, a cup of tea, or just a conversation.”
Or on this day, as he plans an afternoon in the country kitchen with a group of residents to bake muffins, it’s about familiar experiences.
“Many residents connect baking with their mothers’ kitchens. Every time we bake, memories come alive,” he says.
For him, engagement is often found in the smallest of gestures, and part of his efforts as an Innovation Catalyst is to help his fellow team members across the Village realize the part they play in making these connections. “If once per shift a team member takes 15 minutes to spend quality time with a resident, that’s enough to brighten someone’s day. For passive residents, engagement can be as simple as holding their hand
and letting them know they are safe.”
Attasha Bennett, a Med-Cert Personal Care Aide in the Retirement neighbourhoods at The Village and a fellow catalyst, agrees that more can be done to encourage every team member to understand that meaningful engagement is a responsibility shared by everyone. “Engagement is not just recreation’s job,” she says. “Every team member has a role in making residents feel connected. Even something as small as a smile, eye contact, or saying ‘good morning’ can make a huge impact.”
For Attasha, her role is more than a career path – it’s part of a personal journey to make an impact every day. She recalls considering different career options but always coming back to the idea of wanting to make a difference in people’s lives. “I didn’t just want a job,” she explains. “I wanted something meaningful, where I could connect with people and bring joy into their everyday experiences.” She was drawn to senior living because it offered the opportunity to build lasting relationships and create moments of comfort and happiness. “When a resident smiles because of something I’ve done, even something simple, it fills me with purpose. That’s why I chose this field.”
The Innovation Catalyst program, she adds, has shifted how she approaches challenges. “The Catalyst program taught us not to jump straight to solutions but to slow down, look at the problem, and think through the steps. People do want to see change and better engagement, they just don’t always know how to get there.”
Attending the Innovation Summit was also a source of inspiration. “Attending the Innovation Summit inspired me with new ideas. I realized engagement is everyone’s responsibility. When we come back from Catalyst meetings, we’re energized, and our team members say, ‘That’s a good idea, let’s do it now.’”
Both Noel and Attasha agree that every new team member should understand that the Schlegel Villages culture is centred around the idea that meaningful engagement with residents is at the centre of everything.
“Training is the starting point” as Attasha says. “New hires need to hear clearly: we are a community, and engagement is everyone’s responsibility. Culture has to change. We need to spotlight the team members who naturally engage so others see it’s part of the job.”
For both Catalysts, meaningful engagement is a circle—one that benefits residents and team members alike. “Engaged residents are happier, show fewer expressions, and team members’ days become easier,” Noel says. “The best part of my work is making residents smile. That one laugh or smile makes my whole day.”
In their voices, the essence of the Innovation Catalyst program comes alive: engagement is not an activity on a calendar but a shared commitment to making life richer, one meaningful connection at a time. They both look forward to sharing their experiences diving deep into the question of enhancing opportunities for more engagement with residents at the 2025 Innovation Summit Sept. 16-17.
Please reach out to Lora.Bruyn-Martin@schlegelvillages.com if you’d like more information on this year’s event.
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