News & Press

Fort Worth Woman Embodies Sweetness for Staff at Local Senior Living Community

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 05:00:00 GMT

You can smell it through the halls of The Stayton at Museum Way: resident Carol Adcock’s famous Ghirardelli and Kahlúa brownies. For two years, Adcock has made regular deliveries of her homemade treat to team members throughout the senior living community – a small gesture to show her appreciation for everything they do.

The idea first came about in 2017 after her husband had a stroke. Her neighbors, her “Hall Sisters” as she calls them, brought her chocolates and kept her company while he was in The Stayton’s on-site health center.

From then on, she wanted to express her gratitude to the people who cared for her husband when he needed it most. So she started to make her favorite brownies – Ghirardelli brownie mix, but substituting water with Kahlúa, coffee or Coke – to share with the team members.

“It’s my way of saying thank you,” Adcock said. “I call them our Stayton angels.”

Her chocolatey deliveries have since expanded from caregivers to other team members in the community’s health center, marketing department, concierge, housekeeping and dining. Two or three times a month, she bakes a few pans and makes her rounds.

“I love doing it,” added Adcock. “It’s a gift for me to be able to say a small thank-you to all the people who make The Stayton such a great place to live.”

Source:
Andrew Meiller, GlynnDevins
913.317.2204

Local Seniors to Make Special Gesture During Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 05:00:00 GMT

At 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 25 residents at The Buckingham senior living community will band together in a special way to support their neighbors living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. The group will be designing elaborate custom floral arrangements to give to memory care residents as a show of solidarity.

Resident Carla Gaut, a certified flower judge with decades of horticultural experience, will help lead the endeavor. Having spent years traveling across the country evaluating garden shows, Carla will walk participants through the floral design process. It will be a wonderful opportunity to pick up new skills while making a small, but meaningful, difference in the lives of others.

The Buckingham is an ardent supporter of such endeavors designed to offer emotional and social support for people living with Alzheimer’s. The number is substantial, with more than 1,760,000 Texans impacted by the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Source:
Mike Achoki, GlynnDevins
913.317.2268

Buckner Parkway Place Resident Trains Seven Days a Week for We Are Houston 5K

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 05:00:00 GMT

If you’re looking for Ruger Winchester at Buckner Parkway Place, a faith-based senior living community in Houston, you’ll likely find him in the wellness center. That’s because the 89-year-old resident hits the gym seven days a week. Four of those days he will work on cardio and the other three he will do weight training. Winchester started running about two decades ago as a way to exercise, and now he calls it his passion. He credits running for building his strength and getting him through the toughest time in his life. Two years ago he was diagnosed with cancer. He is in remission now and says his workouts helped him fight the disease faster. He is now training to run in the We Are Houston 5K in January. Winchester says the encouragement from his family, friends and Parkway Place will help him accomplish his goal of finishing the race.

Pictured: Ruger Winchester; Photo courtesy of Parkway Place

“When I was visiting my son in Michigan my grandchildren said let’s go run, so I did and I haven’t stopped since,” said Winchester. “It is a fantastic exercise and I feel myself getting stronger and stronger each time I work out. We have a wonderful wellness center at Parkway Place. I use about half of the machines and run on the treadmill when I work out indoors. I am working my way up to running three miles to prepare myself for the 5K. This the second time that I will be participating in the We Are Houston 5K. I had a lot of fun last year and know I can be successful this year. My daughter will come out to run with me, so it’s a great bonding experience. While running may not be for everyone, it is what brings me joy, and I look forward to working out every day.”

Running is an efficient way to exercise and can be a key tactic in minimizing the chance of heart disease and stroke. Aerobic exercise helps you build muscle strength, lower blood sugar and cholesterol, build endurance, increase energy and self-esteem, improve sleep and live longer, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Running is also good for brain health, as it may help to challenge your brain and preserve cognition. Buckner Parkway Place is always looking for ways to enhance each resident’s lifestyle. By offering a state-of-the-art wellness center with multiple machines, workout classes and programs, residents are able to participate in different activities that cater to their level of need.

“My office is in the wellness center and I know I can count on seeing Ruger come in every day to work out,” said Linda Fitzhugh, director of resident engagement. “He enjoys working out and spending time in the gym, and it is inspiring to see. I love seeing the residents use the wellness center to improve their health as they age. No matter what their circumstances are, residents can enjoy all the amenities we have to offer. Ruger goes above and beyond with his workouts and he really thrives in that environment. He is really living the best years of his life at Parkway Place, and we can’t wait to cheer him on in January when he runs his 5K.”

ABOUT BUCKNER PARKWAY PLACE

Parkway Place in Houston, a Buckner Retirement Services community, is a nonprofit, faith-based senior living community located on a 15-acre manicured campus that includes flowers, walking paths, gazebos, benches and raised gardens, putting green, as well as an outdoor heated pool and spas. It is also one of the few Independent Living communities in West Houston that has no entrance fees or long-term contracts and provides spacious apartment residences on a rental basis. As a continuing care retirement community, Parkway Place offers Independent Living apartment residences, spacious Assisted Living, and innovative Memory Care and Skilled Nursing services.

At Parkway Place, residents can enjoy delicious dining and warm fellowship in beautifully arranged dining rooms, as well as maintain active lifestyles at the wellness center. The community also has an on-site life enrichment coordinator, chapel, full-time chaplain, on-site worship services, beauty/barber salon and weekly housekeeping/linen service. For more information about Parkway Place, please visit the community website at www.bucknerparkwayplace.org or call (281) 677–5912.

ABOUT BUCKNER RETIREMENT SERVICES

Buckner Retirement Services, Inc. is one of the largest not-for-profit senior living organizations in Texas dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for senior adults and their families by promoting an active, healthy Christian lifestyle while maintaining their independence and dignity. Buckner Retirement Services is part of Buckner International, a global faith-based ministry serving people each year in the United States and worldwide.

Source:
Chelsi Smith, The Point Group
214-378-7970 ext. 238
csmith@thepointgroup.com

Parkway Place Resident Surpasses 21,000 Volunteer Hours

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Giving back is second nature to Santosh “Toshi” Hayre, 82. A resident at Buckner Parkway Place, a faith-based senior living community in Houston, Hayre retired more than 15 years ago and decided to devote her free time to volunteering. She devotes her time at the senior living community, church and Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, where she was recently recognized for surpassing 21,000 volunteer hours. On top of volunteering, she knits hats for newborns and shawls for patients at the hospital booties, and for residents living in skilled nursing at the senior living community. She is part of the knitting group at the community and her church, and she also donates her knitted items to local charities. Since she started more than a decade ago, she has made more than 5,000 items. Hayre says giving back and helping others runs in her family, and she plans to continue volunteering as long as she can.

Pictured: Santosh “Toshi” Hayre, 82.

“Giving back is something I enjoy doing. It really warms my heart to see something I’ve made benefit others,” said Hayre. “I am a people person, so I love to volunteer and be around others. Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center is one of the top hospitals in the country, and seeing the care they give to people each and every day is inspiring. While 21,000 hours and 5,000 items is a lot, I have no plans to stop. I want to reach 30,000 hours and 10,000 items. Parkway Place has been very supportive of my volunteering. They encourage me to continue to go to the hospital, my church, participate in programs at the community, make the items and spread joy to others. After Hurricane Harvey when I lost my home and belongings, the community showed me that someone is always going to be there for me. They taught me a lot, and I hope to pass what I’ve learned on to others as I continue to volunteer.”

Volunteering has many benefits for seniors, including reducing stress, improving mood and lowering the risk of developing high blood pressure. Knitting also promotes healthy living by improving hand-eye coordination and keeping your brain sharp. Parkway Place encourages residents to participate in community and outside programs that keep them active. The community understands the importance of addressing the needs of the whole person. The residents can choose from a variety of diverse activities, including outings, crafting events, music therapy, pet therapy, and a wide variety of fitness classes designed to keep residents engaged both physically and mentally.

“Living at a senior living community doesn’t mean you have to leave your independent, active life behind, and Toshi is the perfect example of that,” said Susan Phelps, executive director at Buckner Parkway Place. “We love to see her involved in the community and giving back to others. Reaching more than 21,000 volunteers hours is a true accomplishment, and we look forward to helping her reach her next goal of 30,000. She truly makes a difference in the lives of others, and we hope her efforts inspire others to find a new hobby and live an active lifestyle in retirement.”

ABOUT BUCKNER RETIREMENT SERVICES

Buckner Retirement Services, Inc. is one of the largest not-for-profit senior living organizations in Texas dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for senior adults and their families by promoting an active, healthy Christian lifestyle while maintaining their independence and dignity. Buckner Retirement Services is part of Buckner International, a global faith-based ministry serving people each year in the United States and worldwide.

Source:
Chelsi Smith, The Point Group
(214) 378-7970 ext. 238

Houston Retiree Finds Success Trading Stocks at 90 Years Old

Thu, 3 Oct 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Houstonian Helen O’Keefe shatters expectations as a stock trader. Happily retired at The Buckingham senior living community, she is proving to be a numbers prodigy who can give any Wall Street savant a run for their money. Helen spends four to eight hours each day at her computer trading options, a hobby that has transformed into a second career of sorts.

Helen picked up trading half a decade ago to supplement her lifestyle. As a former teacher with no background in math or finance, she dedicated a year to learning the ropes, and the rest is history. The self-taught trader has mastered her craft and now even teaches fellow seniors who are interested in investing.

Helen says the support system and full-service lifestyle she enjoys at The Buckingham allow her to freely pursue the endeavor. On its part, the community supports intellectually stimulating activities such as this, given their proven benefits for residents. According to the National Institute on Aging, keeping your mind active as you grow older can increase happiness and improve memory and cognition.

Source:
Mike Achoki, Communications & PR Specialist
GlynnDevins