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Living life to the fullest in comfort at the Concorde

The Concorde retirement centre celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.
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For the last 14 years, Joe Knypstra, age 99, has enjoyed life at the Concorde retirement residence. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

By Brennan Phillips

Western News Staff

With 20 years of providing comfortable retirement, the Concorde offers an enjoyable way to live life and independence for residents.

The retirement residence provides everything that a retiree could ask for, with social activities every day, parking for residents, food, and entertainment.

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“We came here, my wife and me, in the beginning when it opened, and we had friends in here who invited us to take a look,” said Joe Knypstra, who has has lived at the Concorde for the last 14 years.”My wife said,’ Well, it’s great. If we want another place, I’d like to go in here.” Not long after, we decided to go to the Concorde. It was a little different at first, but it’s great.”

Meals are provided three times a day, and staff offer a morning wake-up call service for residents. Dinners are a highlight of the Concorde, with a focus on local, B.C. grown and produced foods.

“The food is great, the service is wonderful,” said Knypstra. “Although you can’t see it on me, my belly’s gotten quite big, I can’t stop eating sometimes the food’s so good. And I must say, the staff, I would give them a ten, they’re fantastic, they’re very good.”

Staff are on-site for emergencies 24-hours a day, and there are professional care staff for the assisted living suites. With 77 suites, 23 are funded through Interior Health for assisted living, the rest are a mix of single and double suites for couples.

“Peoples’ first impressions are how it feels very relaxed and home-like,” said marketing manager Sharon Lusch. “It’s a really easy way to make friends with the programs that we offer. Because we’re a smaller community, it’s easier to get to know new people and make new friends, in this more casual setting.

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With seven days of activities, the Concorde offers a range of exercise and entertainment, from Tai Chi and armchair yoga, to a ‘sip and paint’ class and bridge. Outings are regular feature, with residents being taken to wineries, Kaleden’s Linden Gardens, to picnics at Skaha Lake. There’s also a walking club at the Concorde that goes to the SOEC during the winter.

The Concorde offers a degree of independence that you might not be able to find at other retirement living centres. Parking is available for residents, both for vehicles and scooters, and there is also a shuttle bus available. Suites come equipped with a small kitchenette, and small pets are welcome to stay.

“People are coming and going all the time,” said Lusch. “Residents are going out with their friends, or going shopping. All we need to know, if they decide to stay out and have dinner, is to let us know they aren’t coming back for the dinner here. If they want to have guests, that’s fine, it’s their home.”

Tours for the Concorde are available for booking at any time and can be done online at www.verveseniorliving.com/the-concorde/book-a-tour/.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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