About Trillium

Founded in 2003 by Omar Lalani and his uncle, Trillium Communities is rooted in family and a deep respect for the elderly. Omar’s goal was to provide seniors with the highest standard of care, improving their quality of life and maintaining their independence and dignity at every age. The standard was set: all Trillium homes had to be centrally located with a warm, welcoming and safe atmosphere and a reputation for giving unparalleled, personalized care. And, without exception, all caregivers and staff must share in Trillium’s approach to resident-centred care, respect, collaboration and choice.

Today, true to its roots, Trillium remains a local, privately-owned business with locations in Victoria, Colwood, Nanaimo, Shawnigan Lake, Sidney and Abbottsford, serving over 640 seniors in B.C.

Our Mission

Trillium Communities derives passion and purpose by serving the person in care and is committed to improving quality of life.  Our holistic, resident centered philosophy is based on several principles which guide us in our daily interactions with people in our care, their families and friends, staff members and all community members collectively.  These principles are as follows:

  • Recognizing residents as sharing common bio-psychosocial needs
  • Caring for residents with compassion and dignity through the continuum of aging

 

  • Ensuring care that focuses on optimum health, self-worth, integrity, self-fulfillment, and human rights
  • Ensuring residents are active participants in decisions affecting their lifestyle
  • Inviting family, friends, volunteers and the community-at-large to play an active role in the lives of our homes
  • Providing ongoing training in restorative care to our staff
  • Maintaining an active liaison with partner health care providers and organizations

 

Our Vision

We provide caring, respectful, and safe environments, supporting each person to achieve their optimal level of personal and functional abilities through sustainable and accountable practices.  We pursue meaningful work to enhance the quality of life for those we serve, recognizing each resident’s right for independence, dignity, and acceptance.  We endure to:

 

  • Support seniors through the continuum of aging with love, laughter, and compassion
  • Treat residents, families, and each other with respect
  • Value individuality and ensure residents are able to exercise the opportunity to self-direct their care
  • Be guided in our actions by best practice models
  • Provide a comprehensive range of services and holistic care with daily therapeutic programs and interesting recreation and social activities either with others or independently in the privacy of their own suite
  • Provide opportunities for individuals, wherever possible, with accessing community services and programs
  • Accommodate changing needs and diversity of care and therapeutic requirements by adjusting buildings, programs, and services to meet needs

 

Our Values

Trillium Communities values the individual and their right to self-direct care whenever possible.  We provide a warm, caring home-like environment for people in our care.  This environment is home for each resident, and we strive to maintain each resident’s independence and maximize their abilities while promoting their happiness and health.  Our assistance and services are always provided in a dignified and respectful manner and we strive to exemplify trust, accountability, gratitude, and appreciation in all our interactions.  Families are welcomed and encourage to participate in the life of our homes.

Meet Our Senior Management Team

Omar Lalani, President & CEO

From the time he was 12 and tall enough to see over the counter, Omar worked at his family’s stationery store, operating the cash register. He witnessed, firsthand, from his mother’s interactions with her customers what excellent customer service was all about: caring. She knew all of her customers by name and always went above and beyond to accommodate their every request. She taught him the importance of respect, a value instilled in Omar today, and her dedication to quality service has had a lasting effect on Omar and how he operates his business today.

Omar received his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria in 2002, after which he founded Trillium with his business partner and uncle, a man with 35 years experience in the hospitality industry. They have established a reputation as a warm, welcoming, safe community of seniors homes, offering an unparalleled model of resident-centred care. Omar helps cares for over 600 seniors across British Columbia.

Kris Coventry, Chief Operating Officer

A highly inspirational leader in the health care field, Kris has held senior management positions with some of Ontario’s leading health care providers. An effective communicator, Kris has an innate ability to connect with people from all constituencies with confidence and a natural warmth.

As the proud mother of three amazing women and a fabulous son-in-law, Kris’ unwavering work ethic is tempered by ensuring a balance exists between her professional world and her family priorities. In her rare moments of spare time, Kris can be found perfecting her golf game, enjoying outdoor pursuits and chocolate!

Yamina Gilbert, Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer

Yamina grew up in Libya and holds a Masters degree in Education with a major in Psychology.  Over the course of 25 years, she has worked with all age groups in a myriad of different capacities – teacher, principal, and a variety of administrative roles.  Yamina has worked in the healthcare sector for 12 years and her compassion for seniors shines through in her warm and approachable demeanor.  Yamina is the very proud mother to two boys, one who is completing his BScN and another who has a degree in Fashion Marketing.  When she’s not working, Yamina enjoys swimming, reading, crafts, and adventures with her sons!

Lisa Rintoul, HBScN,RN, Director of Clinical Services

As a Registered Nurse for over 25 years, Lisa has an extensive nursing experience in both primary and clinical healthcare settings.

She has lived on the Saanich Peninsula for over 15 years but was born and raised in Northern Ontario. After living and working as a Registered Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner in several countries overseas, Lisa and her husband moved back to Canada to raise their family. She now spends her time hiking, boating and traveling with her two children and two dogs. Lisa’s compassion for Seniors care is more than matched by her level of knowledge, skill, and commitment to what she describes as an extremely rewarding career path.

Spencer Young, Controller

A member of the Trillium team since 2007, Spencer is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 20 years of accounting experience. Before transitioning to Trillium, Spencer worked in independent living, hospitality, hotel management, not-for-profit organizations and a variety of small businesses.

Adrienne Grange, Registered Dietitian

Adrienne Grange is a registered dietitian (RD) in good standing with the College of Dietitians of BC.

She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Nutrition and Food from Ryerson University in Toronto and has completed a post graduate comprehensive dietetic internship with the Southeastern Ontario Dietetic Internship Program in Kingston, Ontario.

Working as a dietitian, Adrienne has strong understanding of human nutritional needs as it related to health and chronic disease. Her dietetic experience covers many areas of nutrition including diabetes management, heart disease, weight management, kidney disease, oncology, geriatric nutrition, rehabilitation/stroke, and dysphagia. In addition, Adrienne also has more than 15 years of hospital and residential food service experience in operations, menu development, and food service systems management.

Adrienne has an affinity towards the aging population and thoroughly enjoys working with the residents of Trillium Communities. She believes in providing optimal nutrition through healthy balanced foods, while also meeting individual preferences and nutrition goals.

Christa Castillo, Director Community Relations

For over twenty years, Christa has worked with seniors and families in Greater Victoria, helping them navigate senior living and support services for them.  As well, she understands the importance in building strong relationships with residents, families, and external professionals.

Originally from the Okanagan, but over 20 years Christa has called Victoria her home.  When Christa is not in the office, you can find her enjoying Thetis Lake with her partner and fur kids.  Or you can find her in the kitchen or around town trying the latest and newest restaurants!

Alison Clark, Activity Coordinator

Alison Clark has a varied recreation and activation background including experience working in group homes, Independent/Assisted living, and expertise in working in the Long-Term care sector, both in Victoria BC and Norway. Alison thrives on smiles and seeing the Residents she serves flourish and truly enjoy themselves at all stages of life – she is keen to organize all sorts of programming for residents and if there are shenanigans involved, all the better! When not spending her time with the Seniors she loves to support, Alison enjoys an active lifestyle and spending as much time as possible outdoors exploring the coastline.