A recent visit to Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatchewan offered RoseVilla’s team a glimpse into the power of the Eden Alternative philosophy. From roaming cats to intergenerational classrooms, Sherbrooke showed how connection, purpose, and joy can shape daily life, inspiring new ideas for RoseVilla’s continued growth.
A Journey to Learn, Connect, and Be Inspired
Earlier this month, a small team of RoseVilla leaders traveled to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to visit Sherbrooke Community Centre, a leader in person-directed care and an early adopter of The Eden Alternative philosophy. From the moment our team arrived, it was clear that Sherbrooke is not a typical care environment.
Every corner of the community is alive with energy, purpose, and connection. Residents and team members interact as partners, intergenerational connection is woven in through the onsite Childcare Center and iGen6 Program, and art, music, and nature are part of everyday life. Even the cats, freely roaming the hallways, created moments of connection and comfort. The result is a community that truly feels like home.
Pictured: Sherbrooke’s iGen6 Intergenerational Program Class artwork; RoseVilla CEO Glen Lewis and Wellness Director Rene Swar with one of the community’s roaming cats.
The Eden Alternative: A Guiding Philosophy
Sherbrooke has been a member of The Eden Alternative since 1999. Developed by Dr. Bill Thomas, The Eden Alternative is a global movement that challenges traditional institutional models of care. Its core belief is simple yet transformative: aging should be a continued stage of growth, not decline. The Eden philosophy emphasizes relationships, autonomy, and the elimination of what it calls the “three plagues” of aging: loneliness, helplessness, and boredom. Instead of seeing residents as recipients of care, it invites all people who live and work in a community to become active participants in creating a life worth living.
At Sherbrooke, this philosophy isn’t just a set of principles, it’s a way of life. The physical environment supports connection, creativity, and comfort. Small household models replace long institutional corridors, pets and plants are a part of the ecosystem, and resident garden boxes are woven throughout campus. Every choice reinforces connection, belonging, and autonomy.
Pictured: RoseVilla Wellness Director Rene Swar in Sherbrooke’s Greenhouse; Resident Garden Box at Sherbrooke.
Bringing it Home
For RoseVilla, the visit to Sherbrooke was more than an educational trip. It was an affirmation of our own ongoing evolution as a community. “My greatest takeaway from our visit to Sherbrooke was the inspiration and clarity that comes from aligning with the Eden Alternative,” said Glen Lewis, CEO of RoseVilla. “Seeing how Sherbrooke has embedded its principles into daily life reinforced for me how valuable this framework could be for RoseVilla. It offers not only a philosophy of care and community, but also a shared direction, a ‘North Star’ that can guide our evolution and keep us grounded in purpose as we grow.”
RoseVilla has long been recognized as a progressive and innovative community, redefining what senior living can look like. Embracing the Eden Alternative philosophy builds on the work we are already doing, empowering us to lean into our strengths, explore new opportunities, and continue moving forward in alignment with the goals of our strategic plan.
The trip to Sherbrooke reminded us that culture change doesn’t happen overnight, it’s built moment by moment, through intentional choices, shared values, and authentic relationships. The Eden Alternative offers a clear path forward, reminding us that when we focus on connection, meaning, and joy, we create communities where everyone can truly thrive.
Pictured: RoseVilla Team Members learn about Eden Alternative; Sherbrooke CEO Kim Schmidt, RoseVilla CEO Glen Lewis, and Wellness Director Rene Swar connect with Sherbrooke Residents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What makes RoseVilla Senior Living unique? RoseVilla is known for redefining traditional senior living through innovation, resiliency and sustainability, inclusivity, and community connection. Located just outside Portland, Oregon, our community empowers Residents to live independently and authentically on our vibrant 22-acre campus.
- Why did RoseVilla choose to visit Sherbrooke Community Centre? RoseVilla’s team visited Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatchewan to learn firsthand from a community that fully embraces the Eden Alternative philosophy. Sherbrooke’s approach to person-directed care, intergenerational connections, and joyful living offered powerful inspiration for how RoseVilla can continue evolving and enriching life on our own campus.
- How does the Eden Alternative philosophy align with RoseVilla’s mission? The Eden Alternative philosophy mirrors RoseVilla’s belief that aging should be full of purpose, relationships, and growth. By embracing this approach, RoseVilla can deepen its commitment to creating a person-centered community where every individual feels valued, empowered, and connected.
- What innovative programs or initiatives can Residents experience at RoseVilla? From our onsite intergenerational preschool and zero-energy architecture to Resident-led programs, creative arts, and environmental stewardship, RoseVilla Senior Living in Portland, Oregon continues to pioneer new ways to enhance wellbeing, longevity, and community.
- How does RoseVilla’s strategic plan support the future of senior living in the Portland area? RoseVilla’s strategic plan serves as a guide for continued growth and innovation, focusing on creating meaningful connections, expanding opportunities for engagement, and advancing a new vision of what senior living can be. Aligning with the Eden Alternative provides a strong framework to help us reach these goals.