Touchmark at Wedgewood Retirement Community
18333 Lessard Road NW T6M 2Y5 Edmonton, AB, Canada

Because the current COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving, we are updating our website frequently to continue to proactively communicate the precautionary measures we are taking to protect the health of residents, team members, and essential visitors. Please check our website for the most up-to-date information: https://www.touchmark.com///edmonton/wedgewood/coronavirus

Be open and show compassion. Yes, this is a job, but it can mean so much more than that. All of the residents are so wise and have the greatest stories! Our next Stay Touchmark Strong Champion is Eve Vanden Heuvel. Eve works in Dining Services as a server at Touchmark on West Prospect. She is known for bringing happiness to residents who need a friend the most. Some days this may look like helping with puzzles or going for a walk with a resident. When Eve returns from their... visits, you can see the positive impact these moments have, especially during this time. When asked what actions she takes to keep herself, residents, and fellow colleagues safe, she says: One of the most influential ways to keep me and others healthy throughout this quarantine is utilizing the gift of social media to stay connected with friends. I am still able to check on my friends without the risk of being exposed to COVID-19. By limiting in-person contact with others, I am able to lessen the fear of contracting the virus and spreading it to the residents with whom Ive become so close. Becoming such great friends with the residents at Touchmark serves as motivation to stay safe during this time. Each resident is like an additional grandparent to me, and I hold them very close to my heart. Because of this, I want to ensure the safety of all my grandparents here at Touchmark! I live by the Saint Therese of Lisieux quote, You dont need to do great, big things, but small things with great love. I truly believe that small acts like limiting in-person contact, wearing a mask, and washing your hands to protect others around you speaks volumes of love. To positively impact your community, you need to not only tell others to wash their hands or wear a mask, but you must also set an example by doing so yourself. People are more likely to follow in your footsteps to create a safe and healthy environment. The value I most resonate with when making safe decisions is, I am a Giver. I always remember that this decision is not only impacting me, but also the health and safety of residents. Giving is a form of love, and I want to be able to love each person with each safe decision I make.

September 11 is a heavy day of remembrance for all Americans. We are reminded of the lives lost; the bravery of first responders and those who led others to safety; and the lasting impacts that have rippled through families, communities, and the country at large. On this day, we wish everyone peace and unity as we reflect upon the events of a day that changed our country, and our lives, forever.

Happy Labour Day! Whether your working days are behind you or youre still at it, our community is a better place because of your efforts. Thank you for your many contributions, and we hope you spend this holiday happy and safe.

Keeping connected as we age, especially during the time of COVID, may seem like a challenge, but technology has made it easier than ever. Read our latest Touchmark blog to learn about different technologies that can help you stay close to your loved ones, no matter age or distance.

An ice cream truck at our doorstep?! YES PLEASE. Even the dogs want in! #touchmarkedmonton #edmonton #edmontonalberta #icecream #icecreamtruck #edmontonseniors #albertacanada #edmontonab

We are all doing a WONDER{FULL} job, and we will all get through this together! Our next Stay Touchmark Strong Champion is Luchele from Touchmark at Wedgewood in Edmonton, Alberta. Luchele works as a Front Desk Concierge at Touchmark at Wedgewood. She is on the front lines at the community, making sure anyone who enters or exits abides by our safety protocols and has the support they need. When asked what actions she takes to keep herself, residents, and fellow colleagues s...afe, she says: Wearing a mask was a challenge at first, but is now a challenge accepted for me. I know the simple act of wearing one is considered a kindness, as it means I care not only for myself but most especially our residents who I consider family. Ive missed showing residents my smile, but Im sure they can see it through my eyes. When Im out of the community, I also make sure myself and my loved ones are safe by doing the same thing. I am motivated to keep myself well for both my family and our dear residents. As I work in the residents home, I know that I should be conscious of every decision I make to maintain their health and safety. This is a collective effort of all staff in our community. Whenever I see my coworkers doing all precautionary measures to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, I am inspired to do the same. I am proud to be part of a virus-free, caring environment here at Touchmark. I hold onto the Touchmark Values of Teamwork and Integrity when making my daily decisions. Everyone has a role to play, and every move we make should be a commitment to keep ourselves safe for the well-being of everyone around us.

On this day, the 100th Anniversary of American women receiving the right to vote, we recognize the accomplished women who live and work at Touchmark. Our companys professional staff is made up of 77% womenwomen who put the needs of others first each day they come into work. Thank you to all of you who go above and beyond to make life at Touchmark special and meaningful. We all benefit from your hard work and loving care.

Please enjoy perusing the summer issue of our Touchmark community newsletter! It contains lots of fun photos from several communities. Link below. http://tchmrk.co/3fKvZ2d

With so much uncertainty in the world, it can be difficult to make decisions regarding retirement. As you ponder your next steps, we hope this information about life in our community will help guide you. MYTH: I will not be able to see my family members. FACT: Visitor access inside our buildings is currently limited, but face-to-face visits between residents and their family members are allowed in designated outdoor areas via appointment. Our professional team on-site has als...o been diligently assisting residents in connecting with their loved ones via phone, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, and other digital methods. We understand how important family is and are actively working to provide opportunities for as much meaningful contact as possible. Call 587-408-3157 to schedule your virtual tour today and learn more facts about full-service retirement living.

It is such a unique experience to work with those who have so much wisdom. I feel very lucky to be a part of this community! Adelaide is our next Touchmark Strong Champion. She works in Dining Services as a dishwasher at Touchmark on West Prospect. Not only does she serve each resident with a warm smile under her mask, but she is also picking up multiple shifts per week to help with daily resident health screenings and one-on-one visits. When asked what actions she takes to... keep herself, residents, and fellow colleagues safe, she says: In my daily life, I do my best to protect myself from sickness by avoiding large crowds, washing my hands a LOT, and wearing a mask when I go out, even if other people arent. Im also conscious of the effects the pandemic has on my mental health, so I try to check in with my friends and family. I am enjoying the opportunities I have to connect with residents to spread joy and positivity even if its just for a few minutes. I am largely motivated by my role at Touchmark because I would never want to put another team member or resident at risk of getting sick. I am very close with my family, especially my grandparents, and they motivate me to make good choices to keep them safe. Reaching out to people is having a positive impact because I can bring excitement to their day. My goal is to remind people of the light at the end of the tunnel. I think the value of Compassion plays a huge role in making safe decisions. Not only am I protecting myself, but I am doing a service to others every time I put on a mask. Teamwork is another value that is very important for decision-making because everyone has to do their part to stay safe. I surround myself with good people who encourage me to be safe and happy. By working together, I know we can get through this or anything else. I encourage my teammates simply to listen more. I have learned so much in the past few weeks from some amazing people at Touchmark, and a lot of it has come from sitting down and giving others a chance to talk and tell their stories.

Today is World Honeybee Day! Do you know the difference between a honey bee, wasp, and hornet? Visit https://tchmrk.co/30Ukml4 to learn how to identify each and discover their vital roles in pollination and food production. #savethebees #worldhoneybeeday

#FlashbackFriday to our Canada Day barbecue - these two were dressed to the nines!

You dont understand how much you will affect someone, so make sure its always a powerful and positive impact. Our Stay Touchmark Strong Champion this week is Badria El-Abry from Touchmark at Wedgewood in Edmonton, Alberta. Badria is a dedicated server at Touchmark at Wedgewood on the Dining Services team. Her smile lights up every room she enters. Residents know she is someone who cares not only about their dining experience but also how they are doing each day. When aske...d what actions she takes to keep herself, residents, and fellow colleagues safe, she says: - I typically am only going out for work, and once or twice a month I am at the grocery store. - Its not worth it for anyone if I get sick. There are a lot of people who I would make life difficult for if I did. - I havent gotten sick, and no one around me has either because of my caution. - The Touchmark Value that most resonates with me during this time is Teamwork. - Treat others as fairly as you can. You dont have to be overly nice. Be reasonable, be understanding, and be responsible for yourself and let others worry about themselves.

Today is International Beer Day! Always taking place on the first Friday in August, its a good excuse to relax with a cold one in hand, as well as appreciate those responsible for making and serving beer around the world. Tell us in the comments about your favorite brand or style!

We our Dining Services Team! Thank you for making the best out of our current situation and continuing to keep residents bellies full and happy.

Touchmark Champions are team members who exemplify making smart decisions in all aspects of their lives to protect residents and their fellow team members. Our next champion is Veasna Pearson from Bend, Oregon. Dont judge; encourage and help people! Veasna works as a Housekeeper at Touchmark at Mount Bachelor Village. She is always encouraging positivity and setting an example with her compassionate and caring attitude. When asked what actions she takes to keep herself, r...esidents, and fellow colleagues safe, she says: I keep my body and house clean, and I make the decision to stay at home when I can. I have also made about 100 masks for everyone to use. I love everybody here and want to keep them safe and healthy. This is my motivation each day. Staying home and keeping clean helps the community from getting and spreading the virus. The Touchmark Value that resonates most with me during this time is Compassion. Thank you, Veasna! #TouchmarkStrong #TouchmarkBend

Just over a week away! Please join us for a virtual cooking class led by Executive Chef Yehia Hassanin. Cook along with Yehia as he prepares smoked salmon, stuffed basa with dill sauce, and sauteed garlic potatoes live from a Bungalow kitchen. Participants will receive a cooking box that contains the exact portions of all ingredients and a lovely bottle of wine that will be delivered to their home before the day of the event. Space is limited. Call 780-651-7001 to RSVP by August 10.

Join us for a virtual cooking class on August 13! Youll receive all the ingredients ahead of time so you can follow along. Space is limited!

Walk into work every day and treat it like it is a privilege to be here. The residents in our care are people who helped mold, shape, and serve our country and community. It is a privilege to get to learn from them and serve them every day when we come into work. Julia is our next Stay Touchmark Strong Champion and works as a caregiver at Touchmark on West Prospect. She is always encouraging positivity. For example, she and her dad made recognition boxes for the staff to gi...ve kudos to each other, took a resident on hospice on a golf cart ride around the campus, and has stayed late after work to give a residents dog a bath. When asked what actions she takes to keep herself, residents, and fellow colleagues safe, she says: The actions I take in my daily life to keep myself and others safe include frequent handwashing! Anytime I come home from work, I Lysol my shoes and leave them in the garage. With my dad being a firefighter and me being a CNA, we both wear masks when going in stores and other essential places. In addition to practicing social distancing, I work out at home in my basement and walk my dog around the neighborhood to keep myself physically active. The reason I take the actions I do and follow so closely to the Center for Disease Controls (CDC) guidelines is because the residents are my second family. They brighten my day, share their life advice, and welcome me daily into their homes. Taking any actions necessary to protect my family just makes sense. These efforts positively affect my community because it results in a chain reaction. When I practice good hygiene, wear a mask, follow CDC guidelines, and stay physically active, others want to do the same. As a result, together, we can stop the spread of bacteria and germs. The Touchmark value that I resonate most with when making safe decisions is, I am an Ally. During this uncertain time, it is imperative as a CNA that safety comes first. As the residents ally, I always wash my hands for the full 20 seconds, wear gloves, wear my face shield, and follow the extra COVID-19 precautions to ensure they remain safe. Thank you, Julia!

Today is Gorgeous Grandma Day! On July 23 of each year, we celebrate our grandmothers and the supportive older women in our lives who feel like grandmas. We encourage you to share a story of your "gorgeous grandma" in the comments below with a photo if you have one handy. Its a perfect day to show them off! Gorgeous Grandma Day was founded in 1984 by Alice Solomon, who graduated from college at the age of 50 and felt that society often dismissed older women, labeling them merely as senior citizens. (And we know thats not true!)

Puppy time + friend time + a beautiful day outside = THE BEST!

We are recognizing team members across the company in a new way who truly model our Touchmark Values during these challenging times. These individuals lead the way in keeping us safe, boosting morale, and in short they exemplify what it means to be #TouchmarkStrong. Our next Stay Touchmark Strong Champion is Katrina from Touchmark at Mount Bachelor Village in Bend, Oregon. If you are willing to stand up and set an example, that shows a lot of integrity. Katrina works as t...he Life Enrichment/Wellness Assistant at Touchmark at Mount Bachelor Village. She is instrumental in keeping residents spirits up and engaging them in meaningful ways each day. When asked what actions she takes to keep herself, residents, and fellow colleagues safe, she says: I always make sure I wear my mask whenever Im not at home, and Im always careful to social distance when I am around any other people. Im also very conscious of washing my hands thoroughly whenever I have been out in the community. I love every resident I get the privilege of working with at Touchmark. They motivate me to make smart and responsible choices in my daily life. I also think about making sure my family stays safe and healthy, and that Im doing everything I can to keep them safe as well. I feel like if I set a good example for the residents and my neighbors, they might be more inclined to do the same. Being socially responsible during this time is everyones duty, and I am happy to do my part in making sure the people in my life are safe. The Touchmark Values I resonate with most at this time are Teamwork and Integrity. Keeping our loved ones safe is a team effort, and I am proud to be a team player. I think it shows others in your life how far you are willing to go, and how much you care about their safety and well-being. We will get through this together! Stay tuned for additional Touchmark Strong stories in the coming weeks!

With so much uncertainty in the world, it can difficult to make decisions regarding retirement. As you ponder your next steps, we hope this information about life in our community will help guide you. MYTH: Im better off waiting until the pandemic is over before moving to a retirement community. FACT: Living at home can be isolating under typical circumstances, but even more so now as access to public spaces and outside social events are restricted. Many experts say life ma...y never fully return to normal as these global illnesses become more common and widespread. At Touchmark, even with careful reopening procedures, residents are once again reaping the many benefits of living in a retirement community. They can access more flexible dining options, participate in Life Enrichment/Wellness activities, and enjoy our beautiful campus grounds. More of these fulfilling options will be incorporated over time once they can be added safely. Most importantly, residents have meaningful face-to-face interactions with their peers and caring professional staff every day. Call 587-408-3157 to schedule your virtual tour today and learn more facts about full-service retirement living.

Our community garden is blooming and absolutely beautiful right now! A huge thanks to resident Audrey for watering. @ Touchmark at Wedgewood Retirement Community

Today is Pet Photo Day! Pet owners, this is your time to shine. We want to see pictures of your furry (or not so furry!) loved ones. (These are a few pets from Touchmark at The Ranch Retirement Community) Show us your cutest photos in the comments! Also, for the number and statistic lovers out there, today is also World Population Day! The Earth is currently home to just under 7.8 billion people. Just 20 years ago we hit 6 billion, and 70 years ago, in 1950, there were 2.5 billion. Thats a lot of humans!

Passion, dedication and commitment to community these are the key characteristics in the individuals who receive the Sovereigns Medal for Volunteers. This national award is the highest honour for volunteer service that one can receive in Canada. This year, 93-year-old Pearl Dorey is one of the dedicated individuals being recognized. For 11 years, Dorey has volunteered 8 hours a day, five days a week in Touchmark at Wedgewoods Health Services Neighbourhood (HSN) a long-...Continue reading

The flavors of summertime are abundant and, at times, decadent, so it is essential to be mindful of your consumption. Please enjoy our latest Touchmark blog, chock-full of ideas for staying healthy and hydrated this summer!

Happy Canada Day from all of us at Touchmark! Canada Day, originally called Dominion Day until 1982, celebrates the day that Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario (then Upper Canada), and Quebec (then lower Canada) came together on July 1, 1867 to form the Constitution Act. We wish you a safe and happy holiday.

A huge shout out to the participants as well as the fans on the sidelines cheering everyone on during the @igwealthmanagements Walk for Alzheimers. #igwalkforalz #walkforalzheimers #endalz #touchmarkstrong #touchmarkedmonton #edmonton #alberta #canadastrong @walkforalzheimersabbotsford @ Touchmark at Wedgewood Retirement Community