Interview with Magnolia Gardens resident, Don Slavens

What I appreciated most about Magnolia Gardens was the way I was treated when I came to view the building to see if I liked it and would be happy here. I was just overjoyed by the management team that showed me around and explained everything to me very, very clearly and specifically. It was just excellent. I jumped at it right away.

The highlight of Magnolia Gardens would be the staff, from the cleaning staff that come and clean your suite to the dining room girls that serve you your dinners. Management, too. If you have any concerns, you can go to management, sit down, talk to them, and they’re there to help.

My son lives in Burnaby, which is close by, and he has his own company, so he’s a busy boy. But he gets up here, and we go out for dinners once in a while or for a drive or whatever, and we do keep in touch on the phone. He was happy that I moved because I was living alone in a condo, and I was just glad to get rid of that condo. It was dragging me down. This has brought me to a higher plane in life than just sitting at home alone watching TV.

What made Magnolia Gardens stand out to me was that the management offered me all kinds of gratuities, for lack of a better word, like free television and free parking. That was a big, big help to me. The price was extremely reasonable compared to other places. I’m just very, very happy to be here and to be able to live in a place where you can be happy and enjoy other people.

I think one of the main tips I would offer is dietary. Make sure that you check out what’s available at this facility and that it matches your diet.

I think that part is up to the individual themselves. Some people are quite content to just sit in their room and listen to music or watch television or read a book or whatever they choose to do for recreation, while other people like to be with people. That is there if you wish. If you want to be with people, you can come down to the lounge, and there’s always somebody sitting around, chatting. They bring bands in every once in a while, and the people are clapping and the toes are tapping, having a real good time.

In deep thought, I would have to say I would do it exactly the same way.

If anybody is moving their mom and dad or cousin or whatever into a facility such as Magnolia Gardens, I would highly recommend Magnolia Gardens to you because your loved ones will be duly cared for. That takes a big load off of a lot of people.