Residents thrilled with Fort Erie retirement home living

It didn’t take long for Charlene Heckman to decide how she wants to spend the next chapter of her life.

At 83 years old and widowed since 2018, the retired kindergarten teacher is one of 55 residents of the Willows Retirement Home at the corner of Buffalo and Garrison roads.

Formerly the Clarion Hotel, the lavish retirement home opened about three years ago and Heckman hopes the local senior population knows about it when considering their next move.

Heckman moved in about three weeks ago after she and her daughters Kristen and Patricia decided she shouldn’t be at home by herself any longer, going up and down stairs and without regular company.

They got her to try a trial run stay at the site, and the rest became history rather quickly.

“By day two, I called my daughters and said this is going to be my home,” she said. “I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

Heckman previously took advantage of programs and classes being offered at the Lions Seniors Centre, which she enjoyed very much.

“But it’s not like this where you’re actually living here,” she said, adding that “more people in Fort Erie should know it’s here.”

There are daily activities offered to residents, as well as outings to restaurants and stores in town and other parts of Niagara on a regular basis.

“They really care about all the people that are here,” she said.

The site encourages independence and is not to be confused with a long-term care home, general manager Corinna Carlson said.

“A lot of people mistake us for long-term care, and they don’t realize the difference,” said Carlson, adding the home is fully staffed with nurses, personal support workers and dietary experts.

“It’s like a resort,” she said.

There are 120 rooms at the four-storey home, which also offers enhanced care on the fourth floor, equipped with lifts and other requirements for residents with mobility issues.

There is no waiting list and “lots of room,” said Carlson.

The base rate is $3,645 per month, which covers all meals, unlimited snacks, housekeeping, laundry service, a lifeline system, 24-hour nursing staff, phone, cable, internet and access to all activities and the swimming pool.

There are additional costs for residents with higher care needs, explained sales manager Kasey Vamplew.

“The rooms on our fourth floor, for residents needing enhanced care, are $6,000 to $10,000 per month.”

Vamplew admits that sometimes people are hesitant to visit once they hear the higher end of the pricing.

“However, once prospective residents and their families come for a tour and compare the all-inclusive value to the combined costs they are currently paying at home,” they end up finding the cost to be reasonable, she said.

The Willows is privately owned by Sun Ray hotel group.

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