Blog

Construction of Concierge Suites has Begun

Still Hopes is excited to announce the beginning of construction on our Elizabeth B. Lowry Concierge Suites at the Mansion.

The second floor of the Elizabeth B. Lowry building and the second floor of the Guignard Mansion are currently being remodeled to offer floor plans and amenities for those individuals who desire to live independently, but also desire daytime concierge services.  

Nearly all of the suites have a separate bedroom, bath, living area and a kitchenette.  A few are efficiency style living and bedroom combinations.  Three meals per day will be available in the Palmetto Room or the Bistro. 

The Concierge Suites at the Mansion will offer many of the same services your neighbors at Still Hopes have come to enjoy, plus a Concierge who will provide services that you would expect at your favorite hotel.  Suites will range in size from 392 to 749 square feet.   (click here to see floor plans) 

Call or come by today to learn more.  803-739-5040.  Or visit us online at www.stillhopes.org

Come See Why Life Here Is Better

Come Enjoy Life at Still Hopes! 
Only 3 Apartments and 3 Cottages Available.
Concierge Suites Under Construction. 
Call or Click for details  803-739-5040.

Brain Fitness at Still Hopes

Think Faster.  Focus Better.  Remember More.  Drive Safer.

At Still Hopes we now offer the PositScience® Brain Fitness Training Program.

Yes, you can Train Your Brain!  You can also help maintain your driving independence with DriveSharp™. This program will help improve visual processing, sharpen visual precision and improve visual working memory.

Contact the Still Hopes Director of Wellness at 803-739-5034.  Or visit our website for more information about the DriveSharp™ course and all of the Wellness and Fitness Classes offered at Still Hopes.

Still Hopes Launches NEW Website

Still Hopes Retirement Community has launched a brand new website.

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 and job 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.

Annual Fund for Resident Assistance Provides Hope

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.

Our Residents Say it Best

Re: Pros and Cons of Retirement

Excerpts from “The Joys and Challenges of Retirement Community Living”  by Still Hopes resident Hazel Fitzsimmons. 

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.

Seniors on the Internet

Bridging Generations through Technology, Information, Media and Engagement (BGTIME) has given Still Hopes 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.

Reaching Out – Giving Back – Helping Others

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.

WE TEACH programs that are open to the community.  Check out the Still Hopes Classroom or the Wellness Classes for more information.

Visit our new website and join our e-list.  We’ll keep you up-to-date about all the activities and programs at Still Hopes.

Emotional Attachment to Columbia Area Strong and Growing

According to the Soul of the Community Study:   social offerings (fun places to gather), openness (how welcoming a place is) and basic services (community infrastructure) are the most important factors in emotionally connecting metro-Columbia residents to where they live.

The rich lifestyle, relaxed pace and temperate climate make Columbia a leading U.S. retirement destination.  In 2009, the city was named one of Money Magazine’s “25 Best Places to Retire” and was one of  U.S.  News Group’s 10 “Best Affordable Places to Retire.”  And for the sixth consecutive year, Still Hopes received Columbia Metropolitan Magazine’s “Best Of” Award for Active Adult/Retirement Communities.

Schedule a tour today and see for yourself why the Columbia area continues to be the best place to retire in the south!  803-739-5040  or visit the Still Hopes website.

Still Hopes is Going Green

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.

Stay up-to-date with all the activities at Still Hopes.   Visit our new website and join our e-list.