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.
