Still Hopes provides three really nice raised beds for resident use. They are high enough to avoid back pains when planting and picking vegetables. Each bed is set up with a timed drip irrigation system so watering is automatic. This has been especially helpful in the very warm summer days we have been having. All we have to do is plant the seed or plants, pull a few weeds, and harvest the crop. For me and several other residents this is a favorite activity. There is nothing like watching seed grow and produce a crop of tasty fresh vegetables. I enjoy sharing the fresh vegetables with other residents who are always so appreciative.
Levy Canova
To see all the great fruits and vegetables our gardens are producing, check out the Resident Gardens photo album on Facebook.
The same company that pioneered the Still Hopes Brain Fitness program has recently announced their brain fitness cookbook and weekly recipe program!
According to PositScienc® chairman, Jeff Zimman: “We want to help people get their brains in the best shape possible. While brain training is a major piece of the puzzle, there are other things you can do for better brain health. Eating the right foods is one of them!”
In the PositScience e-newsletter, he goes on to say: “ThinkFood is a cookbook we’re putting together that features brain-healthy recipes. We know the science but, since we’re not chefs ourselves, we asked for help from the food blogging community in creating the recipes. People who sign up for the ThinkFood ”Recipe of the Week” program will get a healthy and tasty recipe in their email each week, along with access to information on the science, the blogger, and more – all free. You can sign up at ThinkFoodCookBook. Invite your friends, too! The full cookbook will be available for purchase in July, but you can get a free recipe each week by signing up.”
(source: PositScience® Brain Fitness News – June e-issue)
To learn more about the Brain Fitness Program at Still Hopes visit our website.
The Wellness Program at Still Hopes serves about 500 residents, staff and people living in the local area and has peaked the interest of the International Council on Active Aging. According to Denise J. Heimlich, MS, Director of Wellness:
“The combination of research-based programming and assessment has proven itself at Still Hopes. Transition rates from independent living to higher levels of care have significantly slowed, in part due to increases in physical fitness. Residents talk of being taller, walking farther, being brave enough to go on African safari and climbing in and out of Land Rovers with more agility and ease than people half their age.”
“My job is to help people stay more independent for a longer period of time. Because our program can produce documentation of program results, we have established Still Hopes as a premier wellness provider and are rapidly growing our memberships from the local community.”
Read full article by Denise, as published in the May-June issue of “Functional U” from the International Council on Active Aging. ICAA-Article-PDF
Visit the Health & Wellness section of our website for more details about the Still Hopes Fitness Classes.
Last Thursday, June 10th, the Garden Room at Still Hopes was filled with residents to celebrate Summer with a beach themed party. Everyone’s toes were tapping to their favorite tunes supplied by volunteers Charles and Katherine Fritz in the DJ booth. Highlights of the evening included the Best Beachwear Contest, won by Madge Major and Blackie Meadows (pictured left to right), and the Still Hopes Line Dancers performing the Electric Slide and the Macarena. Check out the Facebook photo album to see more pictures from this event!
Completed in 1910, the beautiful Guignard Mansion at Still Hopes is a cherished focal point of Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community.
The Guignard Mansion is a two story brick Georgian Revival designed and built for Gabrial Alexander Guignard. When it was completed 100 years ago, the mansion at Still Hopes was the largest house ever built in Lexington County. On November 22, 1983 it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. (more about the history of the Guignard Mansion)
Guignard Society raised $15,000 for the Resident Assistance Fund
On Thursday night, May 27, more than 160 diners celebrated the centennial of the Guignard Mansion at Still Hopes, and they raised $15,000 for the Resident Assistance Fund, which helps provide for residents who have outlived their resources and require financial assistance to continue living at Still Hopes. (full story and photos from The Columbia Star)
The Guignard Society was formed in honor of Dr. Jane Bruce Guignard who willed the Guignard Mansion and 39 acres of land for the establishment of a retirement community. It was her vision and gift that provided the compassionate, caring and vibrant community Still Hopes is today. (more information about the Guignard Society)
Every year at Still Hopes, the first weekend of May is set aside for the Family Day Picnic. On May 1st and 2nd, the Still Hopes campus hosted over 925 people, the largest crowd to date. Lunch was catered by Shealy’s barbeque and everyone pitched in by bringing their favorite dessert. This year the weekend focused on celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Guignard Mansion. The children enjoyed old fashioned activities like the May Pole dance, horse and buggy rides, sack races, and three-legged races. Members of the Guignard family were in attendance, and provided guided tours of the mansion. The Guignard Mansion Centennial Quilt, a group project created by residents, was unveiled and hung in the library for attendees to view for the first time.The New Century Salon Orchestra provided entertainment, playing songs from the 1910 time period. We were all thankful for the sunny weather, but most of all for this special time of fellowship between family, friends, and neighbors.
Do you know how to tell whether a Continuing Care Community will be able to keep its financial promises?
The Wall Street Journal recommends that you ask the following questions when considering a retirement community:
- Is a recent audit or annual financial report available? Are the statements of financial position, operation and cash flow included? Is there a positive net worth?
- Are residents involved in strategic and financial planning and decision making for the community?
- Do financial ratios indicate that the community has the necessary resources to ensure a continuum of services now and in the future?
- Does the community have an endowment? If so, what is its size and how is it used and managed?
- Does the community have a “resident assistance” fund?
To ALL of these questions, Still Hopes is proud to answer: YES!
- Our Annual Report is accessible to all and shows our stability for the future.
- Residents of Still Hopes are involved as Board Members, Resident Council Members and participants in the formal budget planning process for the community.
- Still Hopes has a $1.5 million endowment. It is used for the Resident Assistance fund and is managed by a professional broker.
- The Still Hopes Resident Assistance Fund provides financial care for qualified residents whose resources no longer support their needs.
For more information regarding these and other important questions when considering a retirement community, contact us at 803-739-5040 or visit www.stillhopes.org
May is “Older Americans Month” and the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging is conducting a nation-wide survey: “Who Decides?”
AAHSA is collecting insight from Aging Adults, Elders, Government, Service Providers and Family Members.
As we begin a new decade, we will see a radical shift in the demographics of our country. Who better than YOU to help answer the question of who should decide what the future of aging should look like?
Still Hopes has set up an easy to use on-line survey. Let your voice be heard by answering the following question: “What are your plans and how have you planned for your future?” (click for survey)
We will gather all of the comments submitted and send them to AAHSA’s agencies and departments on aging. Survey ends May 31.
On April 22nd and 23rd residents from Still Hopes enjoyed exploring coastal Georgia. On the first day of our trip, we toured Savannah and put some “South in Our Mouths” at Paula Dean’s restaurant The Lady & Sons. Our accommodations were on St. Simon’s Island at the Four Star Oceanfront King & Prince Resort. The next day, we explored the island with a trolley tour that stopped at many historic points of interest including: Christ Church, Fort Frederica, and the Bloody Marsh battle site. Pictured are Mary Hope Rogers and Dale Pedrick aboard the St. Simon’s Trolley. Dale Pedrick was born in Waycross, Ga. and spent many summers on St. Simon’s Island where her grandparents had cottages. She especially enjoyed reminiscing about the wonderful times she had there. Before heading home, the group had time for lunch and shopping at Pier Village.
Check out our latest newsletter to see where the Still Hopes bus is headed next! More pictures from this trip can be seen in the “Trip to Coastal Georgia” photo album on our Facebook page!
Last week, 18 residents boarded the Still Hopes bus and headed to Cheraw, SC. Pictured left to right: Sarah Spruill, our local tour guide, Nell Barr, Nell’s daughter Beverly, Jennie Guyton, her niece Beverly, and Pat Finlayson. Nell lived in Cheraw for five years, and Pat and Jennie were both born in Cheraw. Our day was filled with a driving tour of the town, visits to historic landmarks, and a lovely luncheon in a private home, catered by the Episcopal Church Women of St. David’s Episcopal Church. The azaleas and dogwoods lined every corner, and we all agreed that Cheraw lived up to its nickname, “The Prettiest Town in Dixie”.
