We are at Hillside Lodge with Sonny Rajoo Thurber: So Sonny, what was it like before you moved into Hillside Lodge? Life was very busy with me being involved in Journalism and Politics, with a result that I neither ate nor took my medication on time. This led me to lead a very unstructured and undisciplined life. The Lodge has taken care of that as its service to its residents. Thurber: So what problems were you trying to solve by moving into The Lodge? Rajoo: I solved the problem of taking care of my diet by eating properly, eating on time and particularly the problem of structure, whereby, I was able to live a life where my needs were taken care of medically and diet-wise. Thurber: Did you consider other options than The Lodge? Rajoo: I gave careful consideration to continue to live in my own home, and if I had to move to a lodge, I considered larger centered and more cultural diversity so that there would be more people that are understood, as in my case, the East Indian culture where they provide the food and the music as well. Thurber: How long have you been in Two Hills? Rajoo: Over twenty years. Thurber: So that would have been a big change? And moving back to the city would have been a big change too? Rajoo: It would have been, but I have lived in large cities, so I am aware of the complexities within and the dimensions. Rural Alberta is still what appeals to me because I grew up on a farm in South Africa. But the absence of the cultural sector and the ramifications thereof, something that I grew up with, did play a role. I realized it’s a very miniscule situation, so if I need to experience more cultural activities, I could go to the city once in a while. Thurber: So you don’t feel limited by living out here and you can make it to the city to experience whatever you need should you feel like it? Rajoo: The love, warmth and care of the local people, who have elected me four times to Council, showed me that I have been accepted as their very own, and I too, have accepted this community as my very own. I love the people of Two Hills with an unspeakable love, so that played a key role in my choice to stay. Thurber: That’s really good. So what factors helped to make the decision to come to The Hillside Lodge? Rajoo: I visited her very regularly to cover events for my paper, and saw how well the people lived, how much they laughed and how in depth their conversations were. I realized that if there is anywhere that I would like to live, it would be at this lodge where all aspects of my personal life are met. Thurber: That’s wonderful. What was the obstacle that most prevented you from moving in? Rajoo: I feared that too much structure will hinder my career and personal life, for example, having my supper at 16H30, adjusting to getting up at 7H30 in the morning, whereas in my life before living at The Lodge, I got up when I felt like it, worked until I felt like stopping, and ate whenever I wanted to. Now that I live in Hillside Lodge, I have to consider other residents, their welfare, and their needs. So this forced me to adapt, which was fortunate for me, a positive attribute to my life. Thurber: Especially when it’s improving your health, right? What features of The Lodge sold you on moving in? Rajoo: The cleanliness of this place, the ambience, the beautiful flowers, but most of all, the love, warmth and attentiveness of the staff are all wonderful. The Staff expresses a genuine interest in wanting to be here to serve the residents. They treat us like family. Thurber: It does feel like that here, doesn’t it? What have you been able to achieve since moving in? Rajoo: By allowing The Lodge to take care of my personal needs, both medical and dietary, it allowed me the opportunity to continue to serve my people as councilor. It also aided me to devote enough time to my career, which is Journalism. This lodge took away the daily strain and time-consumers of life. I’ve learned discipline in a good way, just like there’s bad trouble and there’s good trouble! Thurber: What is the main reason that you would recommend The Hillside Lodge rather than somewhere else? Rajoo: Clearly, there is a misconception that you are losing your independence. On the contrary, you gain more independence because you now have the time to pursue your interests and your hobbies. Not only the physical aspect of food, laundry, medication, etc, is catered to, but the human, psychological aspect of warmth, fellowship and social interaction is met. Thurber: What has exceeded your expectations since living here? Rajoo: The level of service provided by the Staff has transformed this from the perception of an institution to a warm, loving and friendly family atmosphere. Like a village! Thurber: What about living at Hillside Lodge surprises you? Is there anything that you hadn’t really thought about prior to moving in here, that has surprised you since your stay? Rajoo: The variety of the food, the quality and quantity of the meals, where one day’s is never the same as the next day has surprised me. When you come down for your meals, and the staff always ensures that you have the right proportion, and the uncanny ability of the kitchen staff to prepare foods exactly the way you like it, astounds me. It’s the personal attention that is warmth to the heart and soul for a man. Thurber: It’s like they really get to know you, your likes and dislikes, which is great. Sometimes with a smaller community and their efforts, they could ignore you if they would choose to. Rajoo: There’s always the exception to the rule. It depends on how you view life, and not everyone is motivated by the same things. Thurber: Yes, you have to look at the whole picture. What would you tell someone who is considering living at The Hillside Lodge? Rajoo: I would recommend it without hesitation and I would extol the human virtues of living here, by relating my own experiences. Not over one or two years, but over the last two decades, I have observed the lives and happiness of the people that live here, and found very few, if even any, move out, unless forced to due to medical reasons. Most of have been here for a long time and that in itself, speaks volumes about the caring staff and the quality of life in this lodge. Thurber: When you were thinking about moving in here, is there anything that we could have done differently to have made you consider moving here sooner? Rajoo: Having lived across the world, the greatest advertisement is testimonies of people that actually experience it, so the testimonies of people actually living here. All your brochures would be viewed as propaganda unless authenticated by the word of the residents. People telling other people, make the prosperity, chances and enriches other lives. What happens is that I, as a journalist, have examined many of the residents, past and present, and have realized that there is credibility, consistency and continuity. That is what the Hillside Lodge has given us. Thurber: Is there anything else that you would like to comment on regarding The Hillside Lodge? Rajoo: Hillside Lodge has afforded me a great living environment where my health welfare is taken care of and is the uppermost priority to the staff. My family, including my children and grandchildren, are extremely happy to see and hear of the life that I am living here. Testimony to this is the fact that I have gained weight, there is a smile on my face all the time and there is no stress. I lose my temper only once a week, as opposed to the prior twenty times a day (said in jest). The doctor has given me a clean bill of health, my sugar levels are well-controlled and as an added bonus of credibility to Hillside Lodge…my doctor told me that I am in much better health now, than I was fifteen to twenty years ago.