Meet The Expert
Before coming to Delmanor, Shaquelle worked as a PSW for older adults, and as a health coach, which sparked her passion for health and fitness. Upon graduating from the University of Manitoba in 2019 with a kinesiology degree, Shaquelle wanted to combine all three passions: health and wellness, kinesiology, and working with older adults.
As a result, she accepted a role at Delmanor West Village as a kinesiologist, running group fitness classes; soft tissue release; one on one coaching; and pain and chronic illness management.
Earlier this year, she was promoted to LivingWell Manager at Delmanor Aurora, where she manages her LivingWell team and oversees the recreation, classes, and outings at Delmanor Aurora. About her new role, Shaquelle says:
I enjoy that every day looks very different and every day is exciting in its own way.
What Fitness Classes Are Offered Through the LivingWell Program at Delmanor Aurora?
Delmanor Aurora offers a wide variety of general and specialized fitness programs, as well as sports games and tournaments.
Weekly Programs
- Cardio, strength, and balance classes
- Chair yoga
- Piloga, which is a combination of Pilates and yoga
- Tai Chi
Monthly Programs
- Stretch classes and fall prevention classes
Sports Games, Tournaments, and Miscellaneous Fitness Activities
- Water fitness
- Water basketball and water volleyball
- Bocce ball
- Disc golf
- Putting green on the roof and mini golf
- Walking group
- Organized inter-Delmanor competitions, such as a bocce ball tournament against Delmanor Glen Abbey
What Cognitive or Brain Health Programs Are Offered Through the LivingWell Program at Delmanor Aurora?
Many of the fitness programs offered have a brain-body component, such as the fall prevention class that Shaquelle holds monthly. However, there are a variety of games throughout the month that are specifically meant to promote brain health among residents. Some examples include:
- Card games, such as Bridge and Rummy Q
- Word games, such as Wordle or Word Blossom
- Presenters who come in every couple of months to speak about topics related to different aspects of brain health
What Creative Arts Programs Are Offered Through the LivingWell Program at Delmanor Aurora?
Delmanor Aurora offers seniors many opportunities to be creative. Some specific programs available include:
- Each week, an instructor comes in and leads a creative art class. Seniors can use any medium they want and they can work on ongoing projects across weeks
- Pastel nights with the LivingWell team, where residents go through a step-by-step tutorial on YouTube to create their own painting
- The art studio is always open. It contains different sizes of canvases, easels, paints, strings, construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, beads, etc.
What Social Events Happen at Delmanor Aurora?
Once or twice a month there are designated social events that are held, such as Euchre nights, or “Get to Know Your Neighbour” pub nights. Every Tuesday, live entertainment is held in the pub and each month a trip is booked to go out once for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
What are the most popular programs?
100% would be our live entertainment, our pub nights. Or when we celebrate something, such as Country Day or Caribana. Theme days on our Assisted Living floor have been very popular as well. At Delmanor Aurora, seniors are also very fond of going to Mirvish downtown, or any sort of theatre production.
How Do Programs Differ for Independent Versus Assisted Living Residents?
Although different program calendars are created for Assisted Living and Independent Living residents, the Assisted Living residents have access to all the programs on the Independent Living side as well. To facilitate this, if a resident needs more support, a PSW can help them, and most programs on either calendar can be tailored specifically to each resident’s needs.
The Assisted Living calendar does contain activities that are more specifically geared to limited mobility, balance training, or for those with dementia. There is also a desire for social activities with this population, so recently a coffee social and a cruise day social has been held.
On the Independent Living side, excursions may involve longer bus trips, which the Assisted Living residents may not feel comfortable doing.
How Does the LivingWell Team Ensure That Every Resident Feels Included?
When a senior first moves into Delmanor Aurora, the LivingWell team gives them some time to settle, and then they do an orientation. This involves meeting with them, showing them how to sign up on the iPad for any outings, and giving them a fresh copy of the calendar. A team member will sit with the resident and go through and highlight with them anything that they may be interested in.
Additionally, each month a meeting is held with the LivingWell team and the residents which is for calendar planning and Q&A. Specifically, they go through the new month day by day, going over each program, explaining what each one is, and all the necessary details. At the end, the next month’s calendar is planned so residents can say what they want to see, what time of the year they want to do that activity, and so on.
What Makes the LivingWell Program at Delmanor Aurora Truly Unique?
For Shaquelle, the LivingWell program at Delmanor Aurora is all about inclusion:
We are very inclusive, we want everyone to be a part of our programs, including team members, residents and family members.
Learn More About Retirement Living at Delmanor Aurora
Delmanor Aurora also offers a lunch and tour for seniors and their families to experience the Delmanor difference for themselves.
To find out more about Delmanor Aurora, you can visit our website.
Expert Contributor
Shaquelle Thomas, LivingWell Manager, Delmanor Aurora
- Registered kinesiologist
- Soft tissue release specialist
- Group fitness and Aqua Fit instructor
- GPA certified coach
About Delmanor Communities
Delmanor Communities is a proudly Canadian-owned and operated luxury retirement living provider with over 23 years in the industry, operating seven exceptional communities across the Greater Toronto Area as a member of the Tridel Group of Companies. Each community is designed around a simple belief: that retirement should feel meaningful, connected, and inspired. From chef-prepared dining and personalized care plans to curated lifestyle programming and warm, attentive staff, Delmanor Communities is built for seniors who want to live actively, independently, and well. To learn more or book a tour, visit delmanor.com
