Origin at Longwood

After all the necessary research many years ago, my husband and I decided Origin at Longwood would be our eventual destination. Three years ago when we happily gave up the many responsibilities of running a home, we knew we’d made the right move.We have a bright, comfortable suite, well planned meals (with attention to my vegetarian needs), a full calendar of activities to choose from, spa services, housekeeping, laundry, entertainment, transport to medical appts and shopping, lunch trips, dinner trips, trips to various places of interest - the list goes on and on. In other words: our home here provides all our needs, and more.Recent health issues limit my husband’s mobility, so we celebrated his 92nd with lunch in the private dining room, with family from out of town and a few old friends. Then Origin made it possible for me to take our Australian guest to Tofino for two nights. Special care and attention from Origin “Companions” allowed him to remain comfortable in our own suite, and me to have a much needed break. I truly believe Origin’s staff are the greatest to be found anywhere. (My personal theory is that the application form asks Do you love your grandmother?)

My mother moved into Origin a year ago. It was the best move we ever made. It is a beautiful building with many activities to keep you busy or relax in the lounge, library or spa. I can’t say enough about the staff who are all so friendly and caring. I never have to worry knowing my mother is well looked after. Thank you Origin.

We are so happy with the welcome my 97 year old mother received at Origin at Longwood. Scott found a very nice 2 bedroom suite for her. Every staff member has welcomed Mom and us with a genuine smile and always offering to do more. Residents all wear smiles to show their happiness, too. There is such variety in the meals. The wonderful staff offer plenty of fun activities and opportunities to go on bus excursions. The building is always clean and decor is lovely to look at. The grounds and gardens are wonderful to walk around. We are grateful for all your efforts in keeping the senior residents happy every day. Thank you.

My husband and I came to Origin a year ago. We liked the availability of different suite styles and prices. We appreciate the service from friendly staff, the availability of shuttle service for medical and mall trips and the variety of activities and events. We find the food healthy, nutritious and enjoyable and have found many new friends to share meals with. We have been impressed by consistent, sensible and effective measures to prevent the spread of viruses.

This last 15 months or so have been very trying, but through it all we have been safe. No resident or staff contacted COVID 19. We were well looked after, including healthy food, great activities including 9 classes of exercise, painting, games and every safety measures requested by the B.C. Govt. We are so appreciative to all our staff. They were all so kind and helpful every day, every hour while on duty. We have been so lucky to have spent the pandemic in a beautiful and safe place like Origin at Longwood.

Our mother was needing a care model that provided occasional supports, meals and basic housekeeping service. She was living in her own community based condominium and was getting some of this support. She transitioned to living in Origin at Longwood, The Origin at Home Program and the awareness of the staff to support our mom in this difficult transition could not have been better.Our mom has very limited vision and she had experienced some challenging health concerns that made this move necessary. The staff were made aware of the family concerns and mom's needs. The staff at Origin at Longwood exceeded our expectations. They were very welcoming and allowed our mom to overcome her anxiety about this transition in living. Her needs are bring met in a most supportive and pleasant manner. It will soon be 4 months of living in Origin at Longwood and mom and all of our family are pleased with the facility, the staff support and the attitude of supportive assistance without anxiety or stresses.Our mom has regained her independence and has progressed from needing minor supports multiple times per day to only needing guiding assistance for outside walking. This is provided with joy and is really valued by our mom.

This is the best retirement community in the area with a well kept indoor pool, pub, 2 pool tables, spa, hair salon, 2 exercise rooms, and fantastic food.There are activities going on every day for all abilities. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a warm welcoming place to enjoy the best of retirement living.

My wife and I were at Origin this past Thursday-Sunday to visit my mom & stepdad.Not only did we have the opportunity to stay (in your guest suite) & eat some of our meals at Origin, but we had the pleasure of meeting & visiting with staff & residents.I have to say that I'm so impressed with your staff, they are such an amazing group of people. It takes a special type of person to take care of seniors and you certainly have a bunch of special people. From the front counter to dining to cleaning staff. Everyone was very welcoming, very accommodating and very friendly. I am however going to single out Leanne and your dining staff for their incredible customer service, but on that note so many others were amazing also. Please know that our visit to see our parents was awesome, and your staff as a whole contributed to our stay being extra awesome!I just wanted to let you know our thoughts. we are very impressed and very grateful my parents are safe, sound and very looked after at Origin.Thank you so muchJamie Kalynuk

My experience at Origin was extremely upsetting and something I will never forget. My father spent 2.5 years in this facility. The hands on care staff, were for the most part good and tried to work within the perimeters of their job. The most upsetting, and disgraceful thing though, was the promise made to my family by the upper management that Astoria, their long term care facility would take my father who had dementia, and care for him until the day he passed. This was not the case. They changed the care protocol very abruptly and literally started evicting some of the patients they no longer “wanted” to care for, as well as cutting back on staff. We had a meeting with the Director Of Care, The VP Of Origin, and her Director Of Community Relations, and were told they wanted us to “find another home” now! The lack of compassion, empathy and understanding for our father and the promises made by this memory care facility were simply untrue and so disturbing. We had to move our father very quickly, which was very upsetting and unsettling for him in his state. Once moved to another memory care facility they had a brain scan done the first week he was there. They knew he had dementia as he had been diagnosed with that 5 years prior, but in his deteriorating state, found that he had a brain tumour. Sadly, our father passed away 1 month later in this new facility. Who knows how different the outcome may have been if the brain tumour was diagnosed by Astoria and there staff sooner. What I am certain of is the severity of the negligence in care of my dad during his last number of months of his life, in Astoria. He was forgotten and had become a problem in their eyes. I will never recommend Astoria to anyone and feel that the upper management and owners need to re-evaluate what they are “selling” as their memory care facility. Please use caution.

We moved there expecting this to be the very best in Nanaimo, what a disappointment. The food is terrible, always cold, they run out of things for the second seating, asked for an additional helping and the answer was “No”.my husband asked for a piece of bread and again “No”Every evening it is the same and the cake they keep offering is so dry that even ice cream doesn’t help. We are very sorry for our choice. The Chef is an awful cook. Lots of people complaining to each other but are afraid to voice an opinion as they have no place else to go.