This year, at This is Long Term Care (TiLTC), the healing and supportive elements that Recreation Teams bring to long-term care homes across Ontario were on full display at the Community Corner Art Park.
The resident-inspired painting workshop was led by Art Directors from The Village of Erin Meadows during exhibit hall hours on Monday and Tuesday. Visitors were able to explore resident artwork as well as create their own masterpieces.
“For residents, this event was special because it let them show their creativity and be part of something exciting. They enjoyed meeting new people, sharing their artwork, and feeling proud of what they accomplished. It was a joyful and inspiring experience for everyone involved.” – The Village of Erin Meadows.
Recreation staff who participated and facilitated this resident-inspired painting workshop say, “It reminds me how powerful recreation can be in bringing joy, connection, and purpose to everyday life. This experience allowed us to connect with professionals in long-term care from across Canada and beyond, exchange ideas, and gain inspiration to bring back to our own community.”
Art and recreation programs like these are not simply leisure activities. They are essential elements of care that support emotional well-being, cognitive health, and connections for residents across Ontario.
Also nestled in the Art Park was an #ElderWisdom Green Bench. The initiative, launched by Schlegel Villages, is now celebrating 10 years of reflections, gratitude and insight from those who came before us. To celebrate the milestone, Schlegel Villages has taken the Green Bench on a special tour that includes visits to St. John’s Newfoundland, Brighton, U.K., Elmira, Ottawa and Six Nations of the Grand River.
“The Green Bench invites people to pause, sit, and connect, a simple action that can change perceptions. At This is Long Term Care, it became a space where leaders, team members, and partners can experience firsthand what happens when we take time to listen to the voices of those who have lived long, full lives. It reminds us that inclusion begins with curiosity and respect, and that every person, regardless of age or role, has wisdom to share. The Green Bench symbolizes that spirit of openness, connection, and shared humanity that we strive for in every aspect of long-term care.” – Schlegel Villages.
The Art Park may have offered conference visitors a moment of quiet on busy days filled with informative sessions, but it also served as an important reminder. Our need for connection and creative expression doesn’t fade with age – it becomes a vital conduit for health, purpose, and belonging.
Across Ontario’s long-term care homes, a vital part of our publicly funded healthcare system, creative and therapeutic programs like these reflect the compassion, dignity, and community that define everyday life in care.
