Aging, Wellness, & the Power of Possibility
A Conversation with Colleen Laing on Redefining Aging Well
For much of her life, Colleen approached wellness through the lens of performance.
A runner for over three decades, Chartwell’s Senior Vice President of Customer Experience spent years pushing herself physically, training for and participating in countless community races.
“I took most of them very seriously,” she says of her races. “My goal was always to medal either in my age group or overall. It became a real passion of mine going into my thirties and continuing well into my fifties.”
Though she thrived during her racing years, crediting the dedication and discipline of the sport with making her “a better mother and a better colleague,” Colleen’s relationship with wellness gradually changed.
“I got to a point where the mental pressure of running to win wasn’t as appealing anymore,” says Colleen. “I felt ready to explore other fitness activities that could help me preserve my health, like hiking and cycling.”
What shifted wasn’t her desire to stay active, but her definition of what wellness could mean at her stage of life.
Wellness in Action - Collen Laing
“I’m still incredibly inspired by senior athletes who are setting records and working tirelessly,” she says. “But I’m equally inspired by people who are moving simply for the love of it.”
Today, a source of joy is sharing her passion for fitness with the people she loves most. This summer, Colleen and her 10-year-old grandson will complete an eight-kilometre paddleboarding loop in Georgian Bay. And in the fall, she and her daughters plan to participate in a multi-generational race together: a half marathon for the adults and shorter runs for the kids.
“It’s fun because as my grandchildren get older, I get to explore new things with them,” she smiles.
For Colleen, wellness today in the context of her busy professional and personal life is about pursing experiences that feel meaningful, energizing and connected to friends and family. That shift has changed how she thinks about aging itself.
“A lot of us assume aging means becoming more limited,” she says. “But the more people I talk to, the more I see this stage of life opening the door to new experiences and opportunities.”
A Different Perspective on Senior Health & Wellness
At Chartwell, Colleen and her team are increasingly focused on creating opportunities that empower residents to improve or maintain their independence and overall quality of life. It’s why we recently partnered with expert and bestselling author Dr. Greg Wells to help shape our evolving wellness programming.
“I really connect with Dr. Wells’ perspective that small, positive changes can create a ripple effect across every part of your life,” says Colleen. “It’s rooted in science, but it’s also incredibly human.”
For Colleen, that philosophy reinforces something she has seen throughout her career: wellness is deeply personal and often influenced by the things that help people continue feeling engaged in life.
“From day one working at Chartwell, I’ve always been inspired by our residents,” she says. “There is joy in our homes. Our staff see it all the time…residents wake up looking forward to what the day will bring and how life can continue to feel meaningful.”
For Colleen, those moments challenge many of the assumptions people still hold about retirement living—and aging more broadly.
“People sometimes think moving into a retirement residence means giving something up,” she explains. “But often what I see is people gaining new relationships, trying new things, and finding a greater sense of freedom.”
Providing Residents with More Ways to Live Well
That’s where Chartwell’s contemporary approach to wellness becomes especially important. For Colleen, it’s not about prescribing one version of healthy aging, but about creating more opportunities for residents to pursue wellness in ways that feel important to them.
“We know each person is different, and our role is to offer choice and opportunities, as well as celebrate people’s successes,” she explains. “The experience living in a Chartwell residence is very much what you make of it.”
What that looks like in practice can be different for every resident. Programs like March into Wellness, for example, encourage residents to approach movement through goals that feel personally significant to them.
Colleen recalls one resident, Maureen, who chose to participate because she wanted to improve her heart health.
“It wasn’t us telling her what she should do,” says Colleen. “It was her saying, ‘This opportunity inspires me to do something good for me.’”
And in many cases, that personal motivation snowballs into shared participation.
“One resident’s wellness journey can inspire another resident,” she says. “That’s what builds community. We love seeing resident-led wellness initiatives like walking clubs come to life.”
Ultimately, Colleen believes that’s where the future of wellness at Chartwell is heading: not toward one-size-fits-all programming, but toward atmospheres that embolden residents to continue defining wellness on their own terms.
Collen’s advice to older adults who might feel uncertain about beginning a wellness journey at their stage of life?
“It’s never too late,” she encourages. “Even small, one-percent improvements can create significant change over time. Before you know it, you’ve exceeded your own expectations about how you can feel, the relationships you can build, and how much possibility still exists in front of you.”
Discover a lifestyle that supports your wellness goals
If Colleen’s perspective on aging well has you thinking about what’s possible in your own life, you're not alone. More older adults are embracing new opportunities to feel active and connected on their own terms. Whether you're looking for practical wellness tips, expert insights, or ideas to help you live well at every stage of life, we're here to help.
Download our Healthy Aging in Canada guide to explore simple ways to support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and discover how small changes can lead to meaningful results.
If you're curious about what life at Chartwell could look like, visit our Find a Residence page to explore a Chartwell location near you or a loved one and book a tour at your convenience. You’ll also have the chance to speak with a Retirement Living Consultant, ask questions, and experience the community firsthand.
