For seniors looking to move into a retirement home or assisted living, the process can sometimes be a bit daunting or overwhelming. An Ottawa organization helps seniors choose a new place to live and can help arrange many of the steps needed for the next stage of life. It’s an exciting and big next step for Ottawa senior Brad Evans. “Timing’s perfect. Couldn’t be better,” he tells CTV News Ottawa. He’s in the process of moving into a retirement home. “It’s the social interaction that I’m looking forward to,” he says. “It’s very modern. It has all the things I was looking for.” But finding that perfect fit or just getting the process going can be a lot of work for some. He had assistance from Adriana Olvera, founder and director of Seniors Journey. “Seniors Journey was founded to help family, seniors, caregivers and decision makers with the transition from home to an assisted living or retirement residence,” she says. Olvera says it’s not just about finding what’s available, but also about getting to know clients first. “Care needs, budget, location, being close to family members and, based on that, I help them with the research of what would be the most suitable — not just available retirement living or assisted living facility.” She says there is no cost to her clients. “From the consultation, the research, booking the tours, joining for the tours and seeing them right up until the finish line.” Evans is counting down the days to his move at the end of October, where he’s hoping to make new friends and be closer to his children. “Looking forward to it,” he says. And Olvera says that helping Evan, and seniors like him, with such a big decision is something she’s proud to do. “Giving back to the community and to me to see someone really receive the care and dignity that they deserve. That just means a lot to me.”
