Chartwell Palermo Village
The Village of Erin Meadows
Description
More than an elegant residence, Palermo Village is a community designed to provide you with every convenience and service you need to live in comfort and security. From chef-prepared meals and housekeeping to laundry and personal care, Palermo Village makes being at home a true luxury. Choose your day to include an early morning workout or if you would prefer a leisurely breakfast with a friend, or both! Palermo Village offers something for everyone from art to music to fitness to quiet reading. Do as little or as much as you would like and then retreat to your comfortably appointed suite with fabulous view.
Our Village is a proud part of a Canadian family tradition of community building that goes back 70 years. The first Schlegel family home became the foundation of what Schlegel Villages is today. Here at The Village of Erin Meadows, we offer several lifestyle options to meet a variety of needs. Our continuum of care allows for residents to age with us in place as their needs change. The residents we serve come from a range of backgrounds that thread together the fabric of our community, and while we know resident-centredness is a term that many lean on these days, we truly do focus on each individual’s wishes to guide our approach to service.
Our Signature Programs help us focus on the individuality of each resident we serve. Our LIVING in My Today dementia care philosophy, for example, was developed by our team and our partners alongside people with lived experience. This provides our team the opportunity to learn exactly what it means to support a person who is experiencing the changing perceptions of dementia. We also celebrate the Wisdom of the Elder as another Signature Program, thanks to the inspiration of our founder Ron Schlegel. Ron once said: “The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders,” and we honour the individual and collective wisdom of those we serve in ways large and small.
What do you do differently or uniquely well?
What do you do differently or uniquely well?
What sets Palermo Retirement Community apart from others is its innovative approach to care and community building. Unlike other retirement homes that can feel isolated or institutionalized, Palermo Retirement Community is built around the concept of creating a supportive, inclusive, and active community that enhances the quality of life for its residents.
The Village concept that sets us apart was always meant to create a living space for seniors that feels like a small town. In many ways this is similar to the experience our founder, Ron Schlegel, had growing up in Ailsa Craig outside of London, Ont. Our Main Street connects to the Town Square as the social spine of the Village. Together these spaces allow for indoor and accessible options for residents to live life as they always have. Ron also envisioned the Village as community hubs for seniors and others from the surrounding community. His vision was to connect the Village to the broader community to enhance the lives of residents as well as support those living outside the Village.
What supports do you offer residents as they adjust to life there?
What supports do you offer residents as they adjust to life there?
We offer one on one tours with our life enrichment team that will tour and get to know the new resident and sit with other residents who have simlar interests. We also offer a resident council who's responsible to make new residence feel welcomed and cared for.
Each resident who calls the Village home, comes with a unique life story. By completing our My Experience (ME) Form, you help us better understand your life, experiences, values and preferences. In order to support you to live well within our village, we need to begin by hearing your story. Your dedicated Village Experience Coordinator helps guide you through this paperwork and helps make the move-in experience as smooth as possible. Our resident Welcoming Committee strives to help their new neighbours feel welcomed and connected.
How are residents supported if their needs change?
How are residents supported if their needs change?
We take a personalized approach as needs evolve. Our Health and Wellness team works closely with residents and families to reassess and adjust services, ensuring support is added in a way that feels seamless and reassuring. Our goal is to help residents continue living comfortably and confidently in a place that still feels like home.
Our full continuum of care allows residents to remain within one familiar community as their needs evolve. This includes independent living, retirement living apartments, assisted care, memory care, and long-term care, all connected within the Village. As care needs increase, residents continue to experience the familiarity, relationships, routines, and sense of belonging that make our Village feel like home.
Under what conditions would you advise someone against choosing your community?
Under what conditions would you advise someone against choosing your community?
Someone seeking a very independent, low-engagement, minimalist lifestyle may find another setting more suitable. Palermo Village is designed for seniors who value both personalized support and community, where dining, programs, and daily interactions are part of the experience.
Erin Meadows may not be the right fit for someone looking for a very private or independent lifestyle without much connection to others. Life in the Village is designed to feel like a small town, where relationships, shared spaces, and daily interaction are part of the experience. Residents should also be comfortable living in a community where fellow neighbours have a variety of different care needs. We are a full continuum of care Village and we strive to make it a place where everyone belongs. We’re best suited for people who want to be part of a community—to know their neighbours, to be known by name, and to live in a place where connection and belonging are part of everyday life.
What might residents find surprising about your community?
What might residents find surprising about your community?
In addition to individualized care, Palermo Retirement Community places a strong emphasis on social engagement and activity. They offer a wide range of recreational and social activities designed to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. From fitness classes and educational seminars to social events and cultural outings, there is always something happening at Palermo Retirement Community.
New residents often say “I wish I had done this sooner!” They’re surprised by how quickly they become absorbed in the community and how fast new friendships develop. In no time at all, everybody knows their name and like in any small town, a walk down Main Street is an opportunity to connect with friends and new acquaintances. People are also surprised by opportunities offered to grow and learn in their new community. They find new passions like hosting a podcast, riding a mechanical bull, becoming an artist or fulfilling a lifelong dream of skydiving. As they say, the possibilities are endless.
How will your community change in the next five years?
How will your community change in the next five years?
We’ll continue to strengthen the balance between care and lifestyle that defines Palermo Village. Our focus will be on enhancing wellness, expanding opportunities for connection, and ensuring our services continue to evolve in step with residents’ needs.
We will continue to build on the Village concept that defines life at Erin Meadows. That means deepening our connections within the broader community, expanding opportunities for learning, creativity, and engagement, and continuing to listen to residents’ stories through tools like our ME Form. We will also strive to evolve our care and service offerings given the changing needs of our residents. The Village will keep evolving as a place where people can live fully and receive the support they need while staying connected, and continue to discover new passions, just as they would in any vibrant small town.
What five facts about your community should people know?
What five facts about your community should people know?
1)Feel at home in our warm and welcoming atmosphere, supported by a caring staff committed to meeting your every need.
2)Thrive with personalized care, including assistance with daily activities, medication management, and medical support.
3)Embrace social engagement at Palermo Retirement Community, offering fitness classes, educational seminars, social events, and cultural outings.
4)Experience a supportive, inclusive, and active community that enhances your quality of life.
5) Enjoy exclusive amenities such as a private family dining room, a walk-out lower level leading to a patio, and an incredible trail adjacent to a ravine.
Ask us about our:
Ruby Restaurant: Schlegel Village’s hidden gem
#ElderWisdom: Stories from the Green Bench Podcast
Program for Active Living
Riverstone Spa
Signature Programs
Independent Living
Apartments
Assisted Living
Dementia & Memory Care
