When people say “family business,” they’re often talking about who owns the place. In the case of Carlton House, an independent living senior’s community in Oak Bay, that label certainly fits—but the concept runs much deeper that you might expect.
By its very nature, the residence is built on family. On any given day, the building is alive with visitors, from grandkids popping in for coffee to family gathering for meals.
Yet, that familiarity goes far beyond daily visitors. While both local founding families have had their own parents, grandparents, and relatives live there—and their own children work there—the multi-generational thread weaves throughout the staff as well. It’s not uncommon to see someone’s spouse pitching in for a special event or helping a resident with their IT problems. Nor is it unusual to see staff members’ kids working part-time or volunteering. There have even been siblings on staff.
A great example of this phenomenon is Community Relations Manager Shelley de Hoog. Her mom, Grace, is a current resident, so they see each other every day. Shelley’s sisters frequently pop in, and her daughter, Danielle, often volunteers. That’s three generations participating in the community!
“Carlton House has this incredible way of coming full circle,” says de Hoog. “We even have residents living here today whose own relatives moved in twenty years ago. The roots run incredibly deep.”
In a landscape dominated by large corporate retirement chains, it’s easy to feel like “just another number.” But at Carlton House, a deep network of family connections is woven throughout the entire community of residents, owners, and staff. Those relationships create a sense of warmth and trust you can instantly feel when you walk through the doors.
After all, Carlton House isn’t just a family business; it’s a place for family.
