On Thursday, December 1st at 4:00 p.m., Still Hopes will plant a 7 foot tall Cryptomeria in celebration of Arbor Day. We will also recognize our 150 year old Southern Red Oak which won the 2011 Treasured Tree award. The award is sponsored by the Columbia Garden Club, the City of Columbia, and the Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission.
A formal Arbor Day program will be held on the Mansion Veranda with comments from Tim Womick, who is often referred to as the modern-day Johnny Appleseed. For over a decade he has crossed America planting trees at schools, parks and other places, while also planting seeds of thought in the minds of those he meets. Children are invited to plant acorns from the Treasured Tree on the grounds of Still Hopes following the ceremony.
For more information contact Kirsten Moorman at 739-5006 or Jon Keith at 739-5041.
Herb Guerry, a resident of Still Hopes, talks about his experience using the Brain Fitness program.
Mr. Guerry was filmed by a BGT student partner. Still Hopes was selected as one of three BGTime Centers in the Columbia area. Developed to bridge the gap between today’s digital media and seniors, the program gives participants “opportunity and voice” so that their stories can be heard across the internet.
Visit the BGTime.org website to learn more about Bridging Generations through Technology, Information, Media and Engagement.
This cutting edge site has all the information anyone would want to know about Still Hopes in one convenient place. www.stillhopes.org
“We are proud of our new user- friendly, information-packed website and look forward to extending our reach to the community and the world with social media tools, a Blog and photo albums on our Face Book page.” Jon Keith, Still Hopes Director of Marketing.
The new website is multi-faceted and interactive. The website will be a source of information for current residents, future residents, employees and those who just want to learn more about Still Hopes. We’re presenting everything from our new Google Calendar for fitness classes, to lists of on-site educational sessions, concerts andjob opportunities. It’s all there.
Visit www.stillhopes.org where you can join our E-list, subscribe to email alerts from our blog page and become a fan of our Facebook page.
The Still Hopes Annual Fund for Resident Assistance provides financial care for residents whose resources can no longer support their needs. The donations made to this ministry provide everything from the cost of total care to special needs such as equipment, clothing, footwear or personal items.
Donations to the Annual Fund for Resident Assistance have enabled Still Hopes to respect individual circumstances and to honor the dignity of all residents.
Please visit our website to learn more about the Resident Assistance Fund and other Ways to Give to Still Hopes.
Still Hopes is a faith-based CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) and a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit with tax exemption organization.
It has been statistically proven that seniors, who share their lives with others, live longer and richer lives than those who live alone. I have the joy of living in a wonderful community [Still Hopes] located in West Columbia, just minutes from downtown with all of the amenities Columbia has to offer: churches of all denominations; theaters; concert halls; The Art Museum; Riverbanks Zoo; several shopping malls; the historic houses; beautiful parks; good hospitals and medical care and the list goes on and on. Having your own car is nice, but not necessary because transportation to most of these places is offered on our very own tour bus or van.
The food is excellent. It is purchased, prepared, displayed attractively and the dirty dishes are done for us when a meal is over. How is that for a plus?
The grass is cut, the bushes fertilized and trimmed; the sprinkler system works and the leaves are cared for in the fall.
I look forward to busy days filled with pleasant activities and worthwhile things; to expanding my horizons through reading, developing new hobbies such as watercolors and photography to say nothing of playing bridge. We are never too old to learn, to love, and to have fruitful lives and if all of this can be done better in a community with others then I would have to say that the pros in this case win hands down.
Excerpts from “The Joys and Challenges of Retirement Community Living” by Still Hopes resident Hazel Fitzsimmons. Click on the title to read the full story on BGTime.org. The BGTIME program was developed to help bridge the divide between seniors and digital media.
Bridging Generations through Technology, Information, Media and Engagement (BGTIME) has given StillHopes residents a voice to world. One of our residents, Madge Major, got the attention of Columbia Metropolitan Magazine with her story titled Life as a Child - about growing up in Columbia. Madge is one of several residents who are using a blog-style website to post stories, respond to topic polls and exchange ideas. The Still Hopes computer room provides residents with access to computers and the internet. It’s becoming a very popular spot on campus!
The BGTime program utilizes students from USC and Benedict College to assist and teach seniors about writing for the Internet, and creating audio and video podcasts. Read more about Still Hopes residents and other local seniors using the Internet.
Still Hopes’ Respite Careoptions provide caregivers with short term breaks from the challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia related illnesses.
Caring for a loved one in your own home can present daily stresses that impact your health and wellness. Respite Care gives you – the caregiver – a much deserved opportunity to focus on your own needs. It also provides you the assurance and peace of mind that your loved one will be safe while you are away.
Respite Care is available for overnight, weekends or short term stays up to two weeks based on room availability.
See our Adult Day Program details on our website. Or call 803-739-5010 for more information.
It’s never too late to “get moving” in the right direction. Fitness Classes, Aquatic Classes (Water Aerobics) and Brain Fitness are all here! Still Hopes has the finest fitness facilities and classes around. All designed especially for those age 55 and better.
The Shearouse Center for Wellness is a 12,000 sq ft. state-of-the-art wellness facility with a 20ft.by 60ft. indoor heated pool for therapy and water aerobics. The Center has state-of-the-art exercise equipment, designed for a wide spectrum of abilities along with a studio for classes. Amenities include spa/therapy rooms for contract services such as massage, chiropractic care, nail care and other specialist care. The center includes inviting areas for relaxation and socialization. The Shearouse Center is staffed with a full-time experienced and credentialed wellness director and staff.
Or you can take a walk on our beautiful Life Trails through the forest. A half-mile of fitness trails wind through a beautifully wooded area and provide opportunities for healthy outdoor exercise, relaxation and contemplation. The trails are interspersed with nine exercise stations which address individual areas of muscle movement. Join us for a walk around our beautiful campus!
Visit the Still Hopes websitefor details or contact the Director of Wellness at 803-739-5044.
Still Hopes is known as a place of hospitality blessed with a beautiful campus and exceptional facilities. Sharing is a cornerstone of our overall mission. Our employees, residents and trustees give back through their time, talents, and resources.
WE VOLUNTEER at the Columbia Zoo, South Carolina State Museum, Harvest Hope Food Bank, and our respective churches, just to name a few of a long list.
WE SUPPORT other nonprofit organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association and Palmetto Project. We support American troops through the Ships Project, clothe poverty-stricken children through Knit for Kids, and help families in need during the holidays through Families Helping Families.
WE DONATE to Harvest Hope Food Bank and local hospitals. We provide abused children with stuffed animals through Kids in Crisis. We offer meeting space to community groups such as Palmetto Senior Care, Women in Philanthropy, and the American Red Cross.
WE SPONSOR programming to better the community. We partnered with AARP and the Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging to sponsor Staying Sharp, a seminar on mental fitness.
Still Hopes is committed to the conservation and improvement of the environment. Residents, staff and trustees work together to provide an eco-friendly community. From planting gardens to recycling paper and inkjet cartridges, Still Hopes has joined the effort to save our planet.
Resident Charlie Davis has been a driving force in Still Hopes’efforts to “Go Green.” As Manager of the Southeastern Division of Parke Industries for over ten years, Charlie worked with state-of-the-art energy efficient lighting.
Charlie implemented a program to reduce the use of electricity by replacing standard light bulbs with longer lasting and more energy efficient compact florescent bulbs. This reduced the amount of electricity used and time spent by the maintenance department changing bulbs. “Ultimately, the plan equals cost-savings and energy efficiency,” stated Charlie.
Charlie also saw to it that light timers were installed in mail rooms, storage areas, restrooms, and residents’ apartments (by request) to ensure that electricity was not wasted.
Still Hopes has really focused on cutting resident costs and protecting the environment,” stated Plant Operations Director Sam Weathers. “We partnered with Sonoco to implement a recycling program for Buildings 5 and 6, installed a cardboard baler to properly dispose of boxes and other cardboard products and employed sustainable gardening practices across the campus.”
In addition, Still Hopes is proud to be recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat, providing food, water and cover for wildlife animals and a place to raise their young. “Our efforts to go green have only begun,” stated Sam.
On Thursday, December 1st at 4:00 p.m., Still Hopes will plant a 7 foot tall Cryptomeria in celebration of Arbor Day. We will also recognize our 150 year old Southern Red Oak which won the 2011 Treasured Tree award. The award is sponsored by the Columbia Garden Club, the City of Columbia, and the Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission.
