Welcoming a Friend Home: How Ella Brought a Friend to Queen Victoria Estates

Ella moved into Queen Victoria Estates in Regina, Saskatchewan, in November 2025. Right from the start, she knew it was the right choice. After 13 years of living alone, she was ready for a change. She loved life in the community and wanted to share that feeling with people she cared about.

A new beginning in a senior living community

Ella spent 39 years as a financial planner at Royal Bank of Canada. When her health made it difficult to live alone, she knew exactly where she wanted to go.

“I never looked anywhere else,” Ella says, smiling. “I love this community, so I came right to Queen Victoria Estates. I didn’t go shopping around. I knew this was where I wanted to be.”

For Ella, the decision to move to an Atria Retirement Canada community was about finding connection with people who genuinely care.

The feeling that makes a home

Ask Ella what she loves most about Queen Victoria Estates, and she’ll tell you it’s hard to put into words. It’s everything: the meals, the people, the small, thoughtful moments that remind her she’s not on her own anymore.

“The food is very good, and the people are wonderful,” she explains. “When I need help with anything, like hanging pictures, the staff are there for me. I didn’t expect that, and that feeling is beautiful.”

A lunch visit that expanded her community

Shortly after Ella settled in, the leadership team began hosting housewarming gatherings for new residents in the dining room. Ella was the first to take part.

She invited 10 friends, including a woman named Iona. Ella had known her for decades through mutual connections from her years at the bank.

Ella hadn’t set out to refer anyone. She simply wanted to share what she had found.

“I told Iona she could come and see my place, see what she thought and go from there,” Ella said.

Iona and her daughter visited Ella’s two-bedroom apartment and toured the community. It didn’t take long before Iona was planning her own move.

“Not long after her visit, she phoned me and said she was going to take it,” Ella says. “I told her I was so happy because I’m really happy here. And I knew she would be too.”

Sharing the place she loves

Today, Ella and Iona spend time together most days. They cross paths at happy hour, during coffee breaks and wherever conversation is happening. And Iona, by Ella’s account, has embraced community life. “She’s participated in a lot of activities already. She’s right in there with everyone.”

When Ella encouraged her friend to visit, she wasn’t trying to convince her. She was simply sharing a place she loves.

Stories like Ella and Iona’s show what life in a senior living community can look like. Residents build real connections, enjoy daily activities and have support when they need it. If you’re exploring senior living for yourself or a family member, welcoming residents like Ella are often happy to show you around. Find an Atria Retirement Canada community near home and schedule a visit.