Who are you as a community?

At Amica Little Lake, we are a premium retirement community designed to bring together comfort, connection, and personalized care in a setting that feels both elevated and welcoming. Located on the shores of Little Lake in Barrie, our residence offers a unique blend of natural beauty and refined living, where residents can enjoy scenic views while remaining close to the city’s amenities, healthcare services, and local culture. At our core, we are a community built around people. We believe retirement living should be vibrant, engaging, and tailored to each individual. Whether someone is fully independent or requires assisted living or memory care, our approach is centered on meeting residents where they are, with flexibility, dignity, and genuine compassion. Our team is committed to creating meaningful relationships, ensuring that every resident feels known, supported, and valued. Our lifestyle is defined by choice and quality. From chef-prepared dining and thoughtfully designed suites to enriching programs and social experiences, every detail is curated to enhance daily life. Residents can pursue their interests, build new friendships, and maintain their independence, all within a safe and supportive environment. Ultimately, we are more than a place to live - we are a community where seniors can continue to thrive, and where families can feel confident knowing their loved ones are cared for with professionalism, warmth, and respect.

• A member of Amica Senior Lifestyles

What do you do differently or uniquely well?

At Amica Little Lake, our difference lies in seamlessly blending premium hospitality with personalized care. Residents and families value the ability to access independent living, assisted living, and memory care in one community, offering continuity and peace of mind. Dining is a standout - our all-day service (7am–7pm) lets residents eat when they choose, where they choose, encouraging connection and eliminating congestion. For those who prefer structure, we offer a more intimate dining space, while our memory care neighbourhood features its own dining room with sensory-focused breakfast preparation. This flexibility, combined with a lakeside setting and a team that truly knows each resident, sets us apart.

What supports do you offer residents as they adjust to life there?

At Amica Little Lake, we make the transition into retirement living smooth and reassuring. From day one, Residents receive personalized support as we learn their routines, preferences, and care needs. Our team assists with suite setup, introduces programs, and helps build early social connections. A resident-led council (members on every floor) welcomes newcomers and helps them feel at home quickly, while our life enrichment team actively fosters friendships through tailored activities. With flexible dining, consistent staffing, and open communication with families, we create a warm, supportive environment where residents can confidently settle into their new lifestyle.

How are residents supported if their needs change?

At Amica Little Lake, Residents benefit from a flexible, age-in-place approach that minimizes disruption as needs evolve. Care can be brought to residents throughout the building, allowing them to remain in their suite longer, apart from transitions into our secured Memory Care program when required. As needs change, our team reassesses and adjusts services to support comfort, safety, and independence. When a move is appropriate, we guide residents and families through each step with care, clarity, and a focus on maintaining comfort and familiarity.

Under what conditions would you advise someone against choosing your community?

At Amica Little Lake, we may not be the best fit for those seeking an institutional style of living, as our focus is on premium services and lifestyle. Our community is designed for those who value engagement, hospitality, and social connection, and may not appeal to someone seeking a highly private, hands-off experience. That said, within those parameters, we welcome Residents from all walks of life as we are an extremely inclusive environment which offers social and health supports for all.

What might residents find surprising about your community?

At Amica Little Lake, many Residents are pleasantly surprised by how vibrant and flexible daily life feels compared to their expectations of retirement living. The all-day dining experience, where residents choose when and where to eat, often stands out, along with the quality of food and social atmosphere. Families are also surprised by how quickly residents form meaningful friendships, supported by an engaged community and welcoming Resident council. The level of personalized care and attention - combined with a warm, hospitality-driven environment - often exceeds expectations, helping residents feel more independent, connected, and at home than they anticipated. Last but certainly not least - the INCREDIBLE views of Little Lake.

How will your community change in the next five years?

At Amica Little Lake, our focus over the next five years is to continue to deepen the personalized, hospitality-driven experience that defines our Residence. We will continue to evolve our programs, dining, and care services to reflect the changing expectations of today’s seniors, with greater emphasis on wellness, flexibility, and meaningful engagement. Enhancements in technology and care delivery will support more tailored experiences, while strengthening connections between Residents, families, and our team. We actively welcome resident feedback - especially from new Residents - to continuously refine and enhance our offerings, ensuring the community grows in step with those who call it home.

What five facts about your community should people know?

At Amica Little Lake:

1) Age-in-place living with independent, assisted, and memory care, with wellness services offered throughout the building, including our secured memory care program should care evolve to that need. Independent Living one and two bedroom suites also include in-suite washer/dryers

2) All-day, open-seating dining from 7am–7pm for full flexibility and social connection

3) Prime lakeside setting in Barrie, offering scenic views and a calm, natural environment

4) Life Enrichment leaders include trained physiotherapists, supporting active wellness

5) Weekly on-site Physician (accepting Residents), plus a team experienced in Palliative Care