The Festive Season is an opportunity to reflect on our first year at Orchard View. Since arriving in September of ’22, the welcoming process has never ceased.  The kindness and caring that began before we arrived carried on through moving in, getting settled, and prevails to this day. It’s like the warm  glow of a Yule log throughout the year. This is our home and neighbourhood now.  We have made new friends and participate in the endless activities designed for everyone. The cuisine is outstanding reflecting careful planning and execution.  The servers provide lots of smiles while caring for us. The staff throughout get the little and sometimes not so little things looked after. We have a wonderful laundry service. Cleanliness of the building in general and our individual homes is nicely maintained.  We indeed thank the organization and management which provide with such excellence for our comfort and security.

2 years ago, after 18 years with the same company, I joined the Orchard View Dietary Department as a dietary server.

It has been an amazing adventure ever since!

Orchard View By The Mississippi states on there website “You will find this little piece of paradise where retirement living blossoms.”

My life blossoms as a dietary employee at Orchard View!

I have always found that meeting and assisting residents is the most rewarding!

No day is the same, and I am never bored! (I am a distraction and laugh way more than I should) Okay, Okay- I sometimes skip out on the dietary team members to go participate in Recreational Activities while I should be preparing lunch. True story!

There are many variations of duties that are required to be a dietary server. This has led me to become a Dietary Aide and to continue on with studies through Flemming College with Nutrition and Hospitality. As dietary restrictions change and diets need to be modified I have decided I need to be eager and enquisitive. With the support of our Dietary Director and her flexibility with hours of employment; I have maintained employment between Orchardview and AGH-both within the dietary field.

I would encourage anyone who would like an interesting and challenging career to look into Orchardview! The friendship and compassion I have witnessed from all staff towards residents is absolutely phenomenal! Everyone, no matter which department, is ready to help and support residents using all resources available. This does not just make us a team but a family like no other!

Working at OVM is great! Staff can always be found smiling and laughing with residents, fellow staff and families. We have an amazing group of managers and team members. It’s like a little (big) family.

May 2023

Orchard View is where the friendly staff greet you and ensure everybody’s safety is monitored by requiring guidelines be followed. That gives me peace of mind knowing no unwanted guests have access. From there the atrium is always festive during any holiday event! We love to see Michael and Julie’s creative talents at work. The lovely dining room is so bright and I get a choice of delicious meals everyday. How fantastic it is to have a so many activities to chose from when I want to be busy. I can retreat to my clean, bright modern suite with large windows when I need to re-energize. How truly blessed I am to be living here where the staff and residents are friendly and welcoming. Thank you to everybody for making my first year of living here full and energizing!

March 2023

If you are looking for a retirement home that can really come to feel like home, Orchard View is that kind of place. I came here 18 months ago and was greeted by friendly staff and residents alike and was surprised at how quickly I felt at home. There are lots of activities to keep  one occupied and always someone to have a chat with if you fell like talking. The staff treat us like grandparents and are always willing to lend a hand (or an ear) if you need it.

When you walk into Orchard View for the first time, you are taken aback by the beauty and tranquility of the pond and music playing in the background. The open atrium and natural light bring you energy and a feeling of room to live. When you look down over the walls, you are mesmerized by the movement of the koi. It’s a wonderful cross between a 5 star resort and a comfortable happy home. I look forward to visiting my Dad when he comes to live here.

I can’t get over how beautiful and peaceful you feel when you alk through the doors. It’s warm and welcoming, active but calm. It feels like home from the moment you meet the first person.

I also really like that living her takes away all the “crap” and fills it with something that is fulfilling and meaningful. Sounds like a great place to me.

After losing my husband in January 2021, plus living alone for 7 years with limited visits to my husband due to covid restrictions at Fairview Manor, the lonliness and depression really took their toll on my health. I sold my house and with the help of Julie Munro and staff I moved into Orchard View. Having done that, I have not looked back. Everyone has been so helpful and kind and patient with me. I have made friends and am able to laugh again. My one problem is that the amount of food they feed me here may cause weight gain.

In 2003 I was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. I started on my search for what I had in my power to delay the early onset of HD. I needed to get up each day with purpose. I walk, I talk, I engage, I eat balanced meals, I look to make others lives better as well as my own. Since I moved into OVM, the purpose-built, enriching environment has helped me maintain these practices and held HD off in order to focus on more important things in my life. Thank you Orchard View.

When my mother, Marie Dunn, heard there was a retirement home to open in Almonte, she was excited: “I always said this is just what the town needs”.  She moved in in November 2016.

She was proud of the beautification inside and raved about the poinsettias in the atrium at Christmas. She enjoyed arranging displays of artwork by residents in the exhibit space on the second floor.

When mom’s health declined in June, Orchard View stepped in with palliative care services.  This meant her family could remain by her side in her cherished suite to the end of her journey.  All OVM staff showed compassion and caring in those difficult days, which was a great comfort to the family.

Orchard view by the Mississippi has been a part of my life for almost 5 years now. I have worn many hats while working here; Reception, dietary, housekeeping and now recreation. Orchard View isn’t only a job to me, it is an opportunity to grow in work and life. Many residents don’t see me as just an employee, but a person that has been on the journey with them. I enjoy coming to work because not only am I doing something I love but the people I do it for are so appreciative. They might not all be able to tell me but the smile on their face does. I’m so lucky to have had the opportunity to grow here at Orchard View.

This place is great! I look around each day and think how fabulous the staff are. They will do whatever it takes to make sure everyone is happy and healthy. The nursing staff take such good care of you, the management are easy to talk to and are always around…. I just don’t know where to stop with the wonders of our new home.

I could write a lot about how pleased we are with the whole Orchard View experience. You and your team have been amazing. Moving was not easy and dealing with pandemic also does not help. My parents are so happy and call Orchard View home.

My parents recently moved into Orchard View by the Mississippi and they are beyond amazed thus far! The care they receive (the staff are amazing) the planned activities and great tasting meals have all made the moving transition much easier! Orchard View also excels with family communication, always keeping us up to date. We are very glad we chose Or-chard View by the Mississippi and highly recommend it to anyone looking into Retirement Living!

A place to call home among friends and dedicated staff. They have worked tirelessly in keep-ing us safe and happy during this covid time. They create special events for us to enjoy and keep up the morale. Our Mother’s Day was so special and it warmed out hearts.

I feel very lucky everyday when I get to come into work. I get to see all the Residents and staff that I have grown close to in the year that I have worked here. We have a saying here that we are the Orchard View family and it really does feel that way. We help each other, we care for each other and we look after each other. This is really special to be able to come to work and feel that way.

I absolutely enjoy working at Orchard View by the Mississippi! The teamwork, the residents and the support from the management are just a few reasons why I chose to come to work here! I have worked in many other homes, and this is my favourite by far!

Living at Orchard View is a wonderful experience.

I am always kept occupied and happy with all the enjoyable functions including musical entertainment and delicious meals.

The most enjoyable of all is the wonderful staff who treat us all the with kindness and respect.

Thank you and Orchard View by the Mississippi for making these last three and half years fun and safe for my Mom. It’s the best place anybody can hope to be.

It all began this past Christmas while visiting my son Mark . I hail from Stratford Ontario where I lived all my life. At Christmas the  subject came up about me transferring up to this area. I was sold on Orchard Views reputation  from the very start although it was a very difficult decision to make, I  have arrived from driving my own car and living independently but the chance to move and live near my son was a selling point. It was explained to me what a wonderful place to live out my days . To discuss the upheaval of moving  was a difficult one is putting it mildly but I have to say it was the right decision. Unfortunately I had to wait several months to get in here due to covid but that is .all behind me now . I just love living here. From the very first day  I arrived I knew it was the right decision . Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I enjoy people and try to partake in a number of activities . I play bridge , euchre, go to exercises , try to walk a bit and my favourite pastime in the nice weather is going out to the gazebo and do my hobby  of adult colouring books . Often someone will arrive while I am there and we love to chat. Also the movie theatre is a big draw for me , I don’t miss many movies. I love my unit and was able to transfer most of my furniture  here . It is especially pleasant to go to the dining room and be waited on. I feel like a queen  . I know from being told that the activities due to covin are limited from before all the  pandemic but we are all pretty lucky to have such wonderful staff to take care of us. I can hardly wait till I can enjoy all the wonderful things I am told to look forward to in the future. Now I am content and happy and have a dentist, doctor , eye Dr. So all is good. And my beautiful son now is 10 minutes from me as opposed to a 6 hour drive. I hope to have many years of happiness and contentment at Orchard View , From a very happy and contented person.

I just wanted to let you know how reassuring I find the steps that Orchard View is taking to keep the residents safe during this crisis, and how much I appreciate your commitment to keeping us informed about the changes. I’m sure that not all the feedback is positive, but what I see is a very prudent, measured response to a situation that seems to change hour by hour. I am grateful for the way the management and staff at Orchard View have taken action to maintain a safe environment, while still making every effort to maintain the residents’ quality of life. I feel sure that I speak for the majority of the Orchard View families when I say that you have earned our trust and our gratitude!