An Update After Hurricane Florence
We are grateful to report that Still Hopes Senior Living Columbia, SC remains relatively untouched by Hurricane Florence. Early last week, a sudden shift in the storm’s path made it appear that Florence would be heading straight for Columbia after hitting the Carolina coast. This information made the Still Hopes leadership team spring into action and we feel as though we were very prepared should the storm have hit us with more strength. As always, our top priority was our residents and ensuring they would have support around the clock. A Command Center was set up in our Keenan Event Center, and this served as our home base during our storm preparations. We constantly had the news on our televisions, along with important storm information and contact numbers posted to the walls. Key staff were ready to stay on campus as long as the potential storm endured to ensure each of our residents received proper care and attention during the storm. We kept in contact with all of our Independent Living residents, encouraging them to have the proper emergency supplies on hand, but assuring them we would be here to meet any of their needs. The staff in our licensed areas were ready to implement any emergency protocols needed, and we are touched by the dedication everyone showed last week. Again, we are grateful we only seemed to get some rain and wind. We know others along the coast were not so fortunate, losing loved ones and their homes. Our prayers are with them and all who were touched by Hurricane Florence.
A Trip Down Memory (Hall): Heathwood Hall Family Reunites at Still Hopes
Hints of blue and green scattered throughout the Keenan Events Center may not strike most people as significant or something worth acknowledging. For attendees of the Heathwood Hall Alumni Celebration Hour, however, those same colors are reminiscent of the formative and unforgettable years spent at the beloved Episcopal school as a student, parent, grandparent, faculty member, or friend. On July 22nd, guests were able to come together to reflect on their shared and personal memories of their time at Heathwood Hall, whether they graduated in 1965 or 2005. The event was especially important to residents of Still Hopes, so many of whom learned or taught there themselves. Some even proudly represented their ties to the Highlander family by donning branded t-shirts or pins displaying the faces of loved ones who were student-athletes. Appreciation that Spans Generations Head of School, Chris Hinchey, put the love and dedication that members of the community feel into words as he addressed visitors and Still Hopes residents. As he presented, he spoke about his unlikely journey from his longstanding educational career in Connecticut to new horizons in Columbia, South Carolina. From the moment of arrival at Heathwood, Hinchey experienced an overwhelming sense that he had entered into a special place. Today, his own children echo this sentiment as they continue to pursue their own educational endeavors at the school. A Bridge Between Past and Present While many items within the Keenan Center showcased the Heathwood Hall name and logo, none of them stood out quite like the framed, white t-shirt complete with blue "Heathwood Hall Episcopal School" text and an illustration of the original Heath Mansion. While the mansion was torn down in 1975, this small piece of the school's history from 1972, donated by the David F. Ford II Family, is cherished by just about anyone who knows the rich beginnings and history of the school. The shirt itself is a symbolic reminder of how much things change while also staying the same. Although Heathwood has seen decades of classes come through its halls, countless members of those classes have been able to meet up in places like Still Hopes to reminisce about a place that Highlanders of all ages call a second home. About Guest Writer, Kylie Walker: Kylie Walker is a senior English major and Government/Law minor at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. This summer, she is interning with the Still Hopes Communications Department.
True Community: A Letter from Danny Sanford
On July 20th, the Still Hopes community gathered in Keenan Event Center for our annual Still Hopes' Got Talent Show. Sixteen acts spent weeks preparing for their moment in the spotlight, then, Showtime! A large crowd of residents and staff cheered as friends and teammates showcased their talents. It was a wonderful afternoon. In the show’s early moments, the audience enjoyed a simple, but beautiful act performed by The Rose Gardens Memory Care "Fireflies." In the show’s final moments, they elected the “Fireflies” the crowd favorite and unanimously awarded them the People’s Choice Award. This is Still Hopes’ President and CEO, Danny Sanford’s reflection on the deeper meaning of that moment, what is says about the deep and abiding community of Still Hopes, and how that spirit of community is the true spirit of Still Hopes.
Take Me Out To The Ball Game
Does anything go more perfectly with late Spring than baseball? After today, we certainly don’t think so. A group of our residents at Still Hopes Retirement Community West Columbia, SC had the pleasure of visiting Spirit Communications Park this afternoon to catch a Fireflies baseball game. The weather was perfect and the company was just the same. Everyone had a great time chatting, munching on peanuts and hot dogs, and just enjoying watching the game. We even had our own special seating section and a shout out on the big board! The Fireflies ended up winning 4-0, so that made everything even sweeter. Everyone agreed this would certainly need to be a trip we make again very soon. Go Fireflies! Home is an integral aspect to life. At Still Hopes Retirement Community West Columbia, SC, our private apartments and spacious cottages are customized to your lifestyle and personality. What results is peace, relaxation, and absolute enjoyment. With open floor plans and lush outdoor areas, our apartments are central to our senior adult activities and events. Beautiful cottages with two-car garages and colorful landscaping line our community’s cozy neighborhood streets. Our Continuing Care Retirement Community CCRC West Columbia, SC allows you to have an optimal health plan right at home. Let us take care of the chores, landscaping, and home maintenance, and flourish in the resort-style senior living free of stress and worry. Still Hopes isn’t like home—it is home, but better.
Tiny Anchors
Still Hopes residents are vibrant and staying positive, despite being a year and a half into the Covid pandemic like the rest of the world. So Stephanie Parker, Still Hopes’ Director of Public Relations, wanted to know their secret. She learned from a podcast about “Tiny Anchors” - little events, routines, or rituals that provided a sense of comfort during troubling times. She asked the Still Hopes residents what their “Tiny Anchors” are, and received an overwhelming response! These responses seemed to follow three themes… family and friends, finding fun in the little things, and above all… faith. Retirement Community West Columbia SC. Family and Friends While many senior living communities in Columbia, SC were on complete lockdown, Still Hopes residents and staff managed to get creative, allowing for social distancing opportunities that balanced safety with fun. Many residents were grateful for those times and being able to see their neighbors, friends and the staff on a daily basis. Some residents took advantage of the opportunity that quarantine allowed them to develop the frequent habit of FaceTiming with children and grandchildren in other parts of the United States. Sally W. socialized with family and friends at every opportunity. She said, “Our most joyful anchor was the chance to FaceTime with our four boys and their families. Another tiny anchor was time that we were blessed to spend with my sister, sister-in-law and husband at Still Hopes. Another was to be able to walk in the park at Still Hopes. Another was to play bridge on a computer with our friends.” Fun: Exploring hobbies and skills Grabbing books from the Still Hopes library, developing a green thumb, sewing masks, knitting, writing letters, and other hobbies were some of the tiny anchors many residents wrote about. They rediscovered hobbies and developed new skills, sometimes inviting friends and family to join in. Carolyn G. wrote, “I have enjoyed needlepoint for many years. With all the activities at Still Hopes, I have not done needlepoint often. I have enjoyed getting back to it and am excited to complete a new canvas to display in my apartment.” Faith Perhaps the biggest of the “tiny anchors” is the faith among Still Hopes residents. Many wrote in saying they engaged in daily prayer. Sara D. even started reading the Bible cover-to-cover. Developing a stronger faith during difficult times is not uncommon. According to the Pew Research Center, the U.S. leads countries in strengthened faith during Covid. Cynthia M. put it best, “My tiny anchor is actually my Big Anchor. My faith in Jesus Christ and the fact that HE is in control of everything is what keeps me comforted during trials.” Margaret P. agrees and shared that her favorite Bible verses were among her tiny anchors. “ ‘I can do all things with Christ who strengthens me!’ And ‘this is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!’ And a strong cup of coffee every morning!“ Click to learn more about the Still Hopes lifestyle to see how our residents spend their time, in and out of the pandemic.
Still Hopes Utilizing Outdoor Visitation To Reunite Loved Ones
The global pandemic we are all currently navigating has certainly made many of us re-evaluate the things we previously took for granted. Being able to see loved ones in person is certainly an item at the top of people’s minds as the months away from each other become longer and longer. However, as of October 7, 2020, Still Hopes has been thrilled to be able to offer outdoor visitation for all of our licensed neighborhoods. These include our Skilled Nursing neighborhoods, Assisted Living neighborhood, Memory Care neighborhood, and Rehabilitation neighborhood. Since the beginning of October, Still Hopes Retirement Community West Columbia, SC has had almost 100 visits, which take place at the outdoor visitation stations on our campus. To say the reunions have been touching would be a vast understatement. “Having outdoor visitation at Still Hopes has been such a blessing. It is so emotional seeing families reunited after not being able to be physically close for months. While everyone is very grateful for Still Hopes’ efforts to keep residents safe during the pandemic, we are even more grateful for their patience and support. We will all continue to walk down this road together, but we are thrilled to be able to offer outdoor visitation as an option for our residents and loved ones.” says Nikki Robertson, Still Hopes’ Director of Health Services. If you are interested in scheduling an outdoor visit with a resident of our licensed neighborhoods, please visit stillhopes.org/covid-19 and click on the document titled “Outdoor Visitation Guidelines with Visitor Consent Form”
Still Hopes the Site of Three Research Studies
Still Hopes Receives Highest Rating from U.S. News & World Report
The U.S. News & World Report just published their rigorous 2020-21 Best Nursing Homes Ratings, with Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Home West Columbia, SC receiving a 5 out of 5 for an overall score, and a short-term rehabilitation rating of “High Performing” - the highest rating given. “Congratulations to the Still Hopes team of caregivers, and the army of support staff, who work so well together to make us recognized as one of the nation’s best places to get nursing and therapy service and care,” said Danny Sanford, Executive Director, CEO at Still Hopes. One of the most notable details that came from the report involved the Sanders Guignard Rehabilitation Suites, where Still Hopes was compared apples-to-apples to the national and state numbers. In the report, Still Hopes is listed as providing an average of just over two hours of Registered Nurse care and services to each resident, every day. The South Carolina average is only 43 minutes, and the nation-wide average is only 41 minutes, showing that Still Hopes’ Registered Nurses provide three times the support of the national average. And for physical therapy, Still Hopes provides 31 minutes of therapy per person each day, while both South Carolina and the U.S. average five minutes. This illustrates the physical therapy provided at Still Hopes is six times the national average. Though no national data for other levels of care was available, Sanford commented, “knowing that we strive for excellence in care and services across the board, gives me reassurance that if we are performing at the highest level in one area, we very likely are doing the same in all endeavors.” You can learn more about all of the services available at Still Hopes including our Wellness Center, Medicare-certified rehabilitation, Adult Day Program, Home Care, and Respite Care by visiting our Community Services page. And click these links for information about our Greenway at Still Hopes Supportive Living neighborhoods, including Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing services.
Still Hopes Residents Reveal Their Secrets to a Long and Happy Marriage
Every Still Hopes Retirement Home West Columbia, SC resident has an amazing story, and these three couples are no different. We asked each of them about how they met, their favorite dates, and how they keep the romance alive. Lee and Julian Minghi Lee and Julian Minghi met as graduate students at the University of Wisconsin in January 1960. Their first date was simple - a pint at the student union - but the rest of their courtship and marriage was anything but… Their next date, the first of many adventures, was traipsing the snowy campus, taking pictures of their winter wonderland. Valentine’s Day brought their first road trip, and foreshadowed a proposal on Friday, May 13, culminating in their wedding on September 7 in Washington D.C. As if their whirlwind courtship was not enough, they spent the next week, their honeymoon, driving across the country to Seattle just in time for the fall term at the University of Wisconsin. As an academic political geographer, Julian’s career took them to various foreign countries: Vancouver, Canada and Six European locations. One holiday spot they fell in love with was Lake Bled, Slovenia. First visited in 1962, they would return many times. Their most memorable “date” was their 50th vow renewal there in 2010 with the lake, mountains and a storybook castle for a backdrop, witnessed by their closest family and friends. While life has been full of adventures, Lee and Julian have come to relish the little things. Whether it’s bringing each other coffee in bed, or remembering, reliving and celebrating the year’s big and small events while collaborating on their annual Christmas letter, the Minghis say their secret to lifelong love has never changed from that first date. “Our aim is to treasure each other, also to laugh at any opportunity, each not forgetting oneself as an ever-increasing source of merriment,” said Lee. “We feel incredibly lucky to have shared so much, survived the dreadful downsizing, and look forward to embarking together on our latest adventure at Still Hopes Retirement Home West Columbia, SC." Philip and Eleanor Whitehead The Whiteheads met as summer camp staff in 1956. It was everyone’s night off, so their entire crew rode along the Gulf coast into Tallahassee to catch a movie. Philip and Eleanor rode back together. “It was more than 30 miles in the back of a pickup truck in the moonlight, so it really gave us the chance to begin to get to know each other,” said Philip. Philip and Eleanor have been married 60 years now, and they say their secret to keeping the romance alive is spontaneity. Whether it’s Philip whisking Eleanor away for a surprise trip to Charleston or a mountain B&B, or surprising another couple out on their date night by picking up the tab, the Whiteheads like to keep each other guessing over what’s next. Not even Covid has stopped the spontaneity, you might even spot them on a random Tuesday enjoying a riverfront picnic. Philip’s advice - you have to “make opportunities for sharing special times and places.” Richard and Cynthia Murphy Richard and Cynthia Murphy have been married since December 1972. They met at a pool party for “Parents Without Partners” in New Jersey. Richard was immediately smitten with Cynthia. All he knew was her name and the apartment complex where she lived, and he happened to notice the car she drove. “A couple days later, while sitting outside with my upstairs neighbor, lo and behold, he drove by and spotted me,” said Cynthia. “He had been driving through the complex looking for my car! Needless to say, I was shocked to see him. He stopped, and after a short visit asked me on a date.” That first date led to a second at Valley Forge Historical Park, and that’s when Richard told her he was in love. It was also Cynthia’s all-time favorite date. They were married by that December. Richard and Cynthia say the romance is based on a strong friendship - and that they truly enjoy each other’s company above all others. And their advice for a long and happy marriage is being grateful for the most important things, their shared Christian faith, good health, family and friends. Richard and Cynthia are also grateful for their family here at Still Hopes Retirement Community. “Now in our senior years, we are enjoying being pampered here at Still Hopes, and making many new friends and acquaintances,” said Cynthia. “We are truly thankful for all the blessings we've had over the years.”
Still Hopes Ranks in 2022 Top 15 for “Best in Wellness” by International Aging Industry Association
Research shows that movement, fitness and wellness impact longevity. Happily, a recent announcement from the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) revealed that Still Hopes, in particular, is among the very elite when it comes to enhancing the wellness and longevity of their residents. The ICAA, in conjunction with NuStep LLC, has honored the top 25 senior living communities as Beacon Award winners for four years. The most recent award reveals that Still Hopes remains in the top 20 in 2022, having moved up from 17th to 13th place in North America (including the United States and Canada) for “Best in Wellness”. Still Hopes has ranked in the Beacon Award's Best In Wellness for Senior Living top 20 for three years since the award was conceived four years ago. It remains the only community in all of South Carolina to receive such an honor. Still Hopes Director of Wellness, Taylor Hall captured the Wellness team's excitement, “It’s wonderful that our community is receiving international recognition for promoting a healthy and wellness-focused lifestyle! We take pride in empowering our residents to incorporate wellness practices into their daily routines. We're amazing to see how our community has become invested in supporting each other’s health journey, how we’ve become a family committed to helping one another live our best lives.” The award was created to highlight the top organizations that embrace and weave wellness into their community culture. Highlighting these organizations and their programs helps others in the Senior Living field learn and adopt senior living wellness best practices and grow senior wellness overall. The awards were based on seven key dimensions of wellness: emotional, physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, vocational and environmental. According to the ICAA and NuStep, these seven key attributes “collectively enrich wellbeing, quality of life, overall health and longevity.” “Aging well involves more than simply programs and special events, but requires an intentional, ongoing pursuit of potential and possibilities,” said Colin Milner, ICAA founder and CEO. “We’re pleased to recognize senior living communities that excel at fostering a mindset and environment that emphasizes promise and opportunities.” Click here to learn more about life at Still Hopes. Want an up close and personal look? Schedule a tour by calling us at 803-739-5040 or clicking here.
Still Hopes Raises More Than $6,000 to Fight Alzheimer’s
Thanks and kudos to all who contributed and supported the Nu Stepping to End Alzheimer's event at Still Hopes Skilled Nursing West Columbia, SC! As of this moment, we have raised $6,262! We will not close out the fund raising account until the end of the first week of July, so you can still donate. Don't miss the chance! See any Wellness staff to contribute. Special shout outs to my Wellness Team . . . Taylor and Sam. These guys worked like maniacs to make this event happen and keep it organized! Ride scheduling and money management were professionally handled and went off without a hitch. Sam copied huge amounts of music to the iPod and created the slide show. Taylor posted on Facebook leading to the event and all day long Monday. Both worked 12 hours yesterday and stayed late Friday to decorate. Special should out to Trez for helping us set up the Power Point and sound system. Sherry supported us in any way we asked. Wendy, Jeanette, Nicole, Autumn, and Margaret in Accounting were awesome in keeping track of the money, sending it to the Alzheimer's Association, and setting up Resident and Employees monthly billing and payroll deduction forms. Sharee was indispensable in helping me plan the snacks, and she and Ellen kept the snack table perfectly managed. Chris moved all the machines and helped with decoration and clean up. ALL who rode . . . pat yourselves on hte back! Good for you! This teamwork is but one example of what makes Still Hopes such a special place to work.
Still Hopes Nationally Recognized For Wellness Program
We always knew Still Hopes Retirement Community West Columbia SC was a special place when it came to our focus on the seven dimensions of wellness, but now it has been recognized internationally! Still Hopes has received the ICAA NuStep Beacon Best in Wellness Award, which means we are recognized as one of the top 25 “Best In Wellness” senior living communities in west Columbia, SC and North America. The Award recognizes organizations who successfully foster an environment that is centered around wellness when it comes to the staff and residents. These communities who received the Award were considered to be the best and brightest, shining as a guiding light for all senior living communities. A recent ICAA survey found that 59% of senior living communities plan to become “wellness centered” in services and staffing by 2023. However, Still Hopes adopted this wellness centered focus almost 20 years ago and we are so proud to be leading the way in this area. “Still Hopes is way ahead of the industry in promoting resident and staff centered wellness. We are now internationally recognized as one of the very best places to live and work – a place where we can all live our best lives!” says Denise Heimlich, Still Hopes’ Director of Wellness.