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Giving back is second nature to Santosh “Toshi” Hayre, 82. A resident at Buckner Parkway Place, a faith-based senior living community in Houston, Hayre retired more than 15 years ago and decided to devote her free time to volunteering. She devotes her time at the senior living community, church and Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, where she was recently recognized for surpassing 21,000 volunteer hours. On top of volunteering, she knits hats for newborns and shawls for patients at the hospital booties, and for residents living in skilled nursing at the senior living community. She is part of the knitting group at the community and her church, and she also donates her knitted items to local charities. Since she started more than a decade ago, she has made more than 5,000 items. Hayre says giving back and helping others runs in her family, and she plans to continue volunteering as long as she can.

“Giving back is something I enjoy doing. It really warms my heart to see something I’ve made benefit others,” said Hayre. “I am a people person, so I love to volunteer and be around others. Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center is one of the top hospitals in the country, and seeing the care they give to people each and every day is inspiring. While 21,000 hours and 5,000 items is a lot, I have no plans to stop. I want to reach 30,000 hours and 10,000 items. Parkway Place has been very supportive of my volunteering. They encourage me to continue to go to the hospital, my church, participate in programs at the community, make the items and spread joy to others. After Hurricane Harvey when I lost my home and belongings, the community showed me that someone is always going to be there for me. They taught me a lot, and I hope to pass what I’ve learned on to others as I continue to volunteer.”

Volunteering has many benefits for seniors, including reducing stress, improving mood and lowering the risk of developing high blood pressure. Knitting also promotes healthy living by improving hand-eye coordination and keeping your brain sharp. Parkway Place encourages residents to participate in community and outside programs that keep them active. The community understands the importance of addressing the needs of the whole person. The residents can choose from a variety of diverse activities, including outings, crafting events, music therapy, pet therapy, and a wide variety of fitness classes designed to keep residents engaged both physically and mentally.

“Living at a senior living community doesn’t mean you have to leave your independent, active life behind, and Toshi is the perfect example of that,” said Susan Phelps, executive director at Buckner Parkway Place. “We love to see her involved in the community and giving back to others. Reaching more than 21,000 volunteers hours is a true accomplishment, and we look forward to helping her reach her next goal of 30,000. She truly makes a difference in the lives of others, and we hope her efforts inspire others to find a new hobby and live an active lifestyle in retirement.”

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Parkway Place, a faith-based nonprofit senior living community, is proud to welcome James VanSteenhouse, the founder and CEO of Houston-based InterLinc Mortgage Services. Known as “The Bear Man,” VanSteenhouse is coming to speak to residents, invited guests and the public at the community (located at 1321 Park Bayou Drive) on Friday, August 30 at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP at 281-677-5955.

VanSteenhouse, an avid sportsman and adventurer, is most notable for surviving a grizzly bear attack in Canada in 2015. As a man of faith, he found that faith tested when one of the world’s largest predators attacked him. He survived, and he now shares his near-death experience in the hope that it will inspire others.

“They say everything can change in the blink of an eye, but I never fully understood this statement. I lived my life to the fullest. Always have,” said Vansteenhouse. “I thought when my time came and He called, I’d be ready. One overcast day in September 2015, I quickly learned I was wrong. As I wrestled an 850-pound boar grizzly bear – fighting for my life – everything changed in what seemed like a blink of an eye. People of faith know that God promises a safe landing; however, He does not promise a safe passage. As I share my life-changing experience with residents and guests of Parkway Place, my hope is that my scars can help spark some gratitude and appreciation for this life as people continue on their own journey – as you never know when your blink of an eye will come.”

“We are honored to have James speak at Parkway Place and share his story of survival,” said Susan Phelps, executive director. “James is a man of faith who had it tested in the most extreme way. He came out a stronger person, and we are thankful he is sharing his story with us. I hope it inspires others to live their life to the fullest. As James puts it, he became a grizzly attack survivor for a reason, not by accident. He is using his second chance at life to make a difference for others, and we are grateful to be a part of that. We are an organization that is built on faith. It is the core of what we do, and having James come speak at the community is truly a blessing.”

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To recognize the founding day of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Parkway Place (a faith-based senior living community) celebrated “Nasa Day” with guest speaker Merlin Merritt, a former Mission Control Engineer during the Apollo 13 mission. Merritt visited the senior living community on Monday, July 29. Apollo 13 was the seventh crewed mission in the Apollo space program and the third intended to land on the Moon. The craft was launched on April 11, 1970, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Despite great hardship, the crew returned safely to Earth on April 17, 1970, six days after launch. Merritt shared his firsthand experience during the Apollo 13 crisis and discussed how the experience affected and strengthened his faith. After the presentation, residents viewed a screening of the documentary “Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo.” Parkway Place is always looking for new ways to give residents a different perspective about history. The firsthand account from a lead engineer on the Apollo 13 mission was both inspiring and educational for residents and guests. 

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Eating healthy becomes especially important as you age. Parkway Place, a faith-based senior living community, recently created “Wellness University” to help residents better understand the nutritional value and benefits of specific foods. The educational and interactive class is held once a month and focuses on an individual food item during each session. The goal is for residents to learn what foods they should eat to maintain a healthy diet. The senior living community is going in alphabetical order to select the topic each month. For example, in the first class residents learned about avocados and sampled guacamole. The second class was on blueberries, and residents tried a blueberry parfait. For July, residents will learn about vitamin C. Chef Derone Martin uses fresh ingredients in the class and shows residents easy recipes that will make an impact on their health.

“We’ve had a blast during the first two classes, and I can tell residents want to learn the benefits of different foods,” said Chef Martin. “We can’t stop aging, but we can stay healthy, and the first step toward good health in older adults is eating right. Each class is about 30 minutes long, so we want to show simple but effective recipes for seniors. We want to talk about the good fats, which helps lower cholesterol, the importance of antioxidants and much more. Even though it is a class, we still get to have a lot of fun. We like to see the residents interact with each other, ask questions and let us know what they’re interested in learning more about. Food is a major part of our lives, and I am thankful I get to share my interests and skills with seniors to promote healthy living.”

The class not only promotes a healthy diet, but socialization among residents. Older adults with a fulfilling social life tend to avoid many of the physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties that other seniors encounter. Studies show that seniors who stay socially active and engaged experience a variety of benefits, including better cognitive function and greater self-esteem.

“I wanted to create a class that was engaging for residents,” said Linda Fitzhugh, director of resident engagement. “Everyone enjoys food and likes talking about it, so I knew it was the perfect fit. We treat it like a real college course but with lots of jokes and laughs. I take roll at the beginning of each class, and we wear graduation caps as we present to the residents. While aging is linked to a variety of changes, nutrient-rich foods can help keep seniors healthy as they age, and that’s why we highlight the individual foods each month. I do a lot of research before each class so we give residents the important benefits and nutritional values of each item. I am excited to grow the class and show residents that eating healthy can be fun and delicious.”

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When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, the effect on the family can be overwhelming and trigger a range of emotions. Virginia Derry, resident of Parkway Place, a faith-based senior living community, knows that feeling. Her mother-in-law, husband and sister all battled the disease, and now she is helping others who are going through the same thing. At least twice a month, Derry walks from independent living to memory care and sits down at the piano. She is surrounded by a dozen residents who sing along to the tunes she plays. Derry says it reminds her of when she was the first choir teacher at a Memorial area high school. She loved teaching and wants to teach others the importance of music. Giving memory care residents a chance to escape through music is therapeutic, and Derry says it brings her joy to be able to give back.

“I feel a deep connection to memory care residents at Parkway Place because of my family’s history with the disease,” said Virginia. “It’s a disease many know of but don’t completely understand. I am still learning myself, and I want to help others. We’ve had success since I started playing the piano for the residents. They enjoy singing along even if they don’t know the words. Others hum the melody and it brings a smile to their face. We also share stories with each other about our grandkids and great-grandkids. I have always loved music. I spent my entire career teaching students how to sing, but to be able to help those who no longer have control is powerful. It’s something I look forward to doing each month, and I see the benefits residents take away from it.”

Music has been known to affect those with dementia and Alzheimer’s in a positive way. Research shows that while dementia causes progressive memory loss and impairment, memory for music remains. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, studies have shown music may reduce agitation and improve behavioral issues that are common in the middle-stages of the disease. Even in the late stages of Alzheimer's, a person may be able to tap a beat or sing lyrics to a song from childhood. Music is a tool that Parkway Place continues to incorporate into programming at the senior living community.

“The happiness Virginia brings to residents while she plays the piano and sings is remarkable,” said Susan Phelps, executive director at Parkway Place. “The number of residents who attend has grown over a short period of time, and as she continues to play the piano and sing we anticipate more residents will want to join in. Her background in the arts is helpful when teaching people new things. She is calm and patient with the residents, and you can tell she enjoys doing what she does. She is an inspiring woman, and we can’t thank her enough for sharing her talents and giving back to the community.”

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March is Women’s History Month, and Parkway Place (a faith-based senior living community) is recognizing inspiring women at the community, including Joan Haggard, 87. Haggard is an inspiration to many for her kind heart and willingness to help others. She spent her career giving back as an educational secretary and volunteering at local churches. She was a caregiver for her husband William, who was injured in a plane crash, and never lost hope when her house was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. The senior living community understands the importance of Women’s History Month and wants residents to know their good deeds and accomplishments do not go unnoticed.

“I was inspired to work with children and volunteer because it’s something I’ve always loved,” said Haggard. “It allowed me to be there for others, as well as my children and husband. I’m honored Parkway Place is recognizing me for Women’s History Month. They have been there for me through some of my toughest times, and I am grateful to call the senior living community home.”

Born in Oklahoma and raised in El Paso, Texas, Haggard came from humble beginnings. She spent her childhood out west, walked to and from school each day, and after graduation she attended the University of Texas El Paso where she met her husband William. After getting married, the couple moved around with their children before settling in Houston, where her husband worked in the oil and gas industry in the 1970s. While on a work trip in Alaska, William was severely injured in a plane crash and was paralyzed. After the accident, Haggard dedicated her time to helping her husband. Through her faith, as well as supportive friends and family, she was able to get through the difficult times. William passed away in 2016, and shortly after Haggard had another life-changing moment. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey forced her out of her West Houston home, taking all of her belongings in its path. After the storm, she found a new home at Parkway Place.

“2016 and 2017 were difficult years for me. Losing my husband and then losing my house was challenging, but I relied on my faith and family to get me through it,” said Haggard. “I actually stayed in a model room at Parkway Place before I officially moved in. They were very accommodating for me and one of my friends. I reflect on my life and accomplishments and consider how thankful I am. I am not someone who invented something or owned a business, I am a regular woman who has lived her life to the fullest, and I hope along the way I made a positive impact on someone else.”

“Joan is an inspiration to me and many others at Parkway Place,” said Linda Fitzhugh, director of independent living at Parkway Place. “Her dedication to teaching children and working at churches is remarkable. She has been through a lot, but she has always maintained an optimistic attitude through it all. We’re honored to have her here at Parkway Place and share her story of hope with others.”

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For 20 years, Buckner International (the parent organization of Parkway Place, a faith-based senior living community in Houston) has donated nearly four million pairs of shoes to children in poverty-stricken countries. Now, residents and associates of Parkway Place are taking part in the annual “Shoes for Orphan Souls” shoe drive, and the community invites the public to participate. The community asks anyone in the Houston area to donate money or new children’s-sized shoes to the senior living community (located at 1321 Park Bayou Drive). Donations will benefit vulnerable children around the world by providing them with their own pair of shoes. Parkway Place will be collecting donations from Sunday, February 10 until Thursday, February 28. Chaplain John Bender is leading the project and set this year’s goal at 200 shoes, equal to about $5,000.

“This is my favorite project each year because it puts smiles on the faces of children around the world,” said Bender. “I’ve led this project for three years now, and each year it gets bigger and bigger. With this year being number 20, we want to collect 200 shoes to benefit the most vulnerable people in the world. We will be accepting new shoes for both boys and girls in all sizes. So next time you’re at the store pick up a pair of shoes that these children need. We also encourage people to think of older kids while they shop. I know that with the help of residents, associates and the city of Houston, we will meet our goal. We hold the shoe drive in February because we know people have love on their minds and in their hearts, so we need you to look in your heart and give the gift of love to these children by providing a new pair of shoes.”

About 30 percent of the shoes stay in the United States, which helps children in the Houston area, and the other 70 percent go to children in other countries. The new shoes will benefit the children’s daily lives in several ways, improving their health, allowing them to attend school and giving them hope. Since the shoe drive’s inception, children in 83 countries have benefited from this project.

“I am excited for Parkway Place to host another shoe drive to benefit children locally and around the world,” said Susan Phelps, executive director. “Through this drive, we can provide children with something many people tend to take for granted. It’s heartwarming to see the dedication of the Parkway Place team and residents who make this project successful. With everyone pitching in, we can make a difference in the lives of so many children.”

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When you walk down the independent living hallway at Parkway Place (a faith-based senior living community in Houston), you’ll notice the more than 15 nativity scenes on display for residents and guests to admire. Ralph and Cathy Edwards (90 and 65, respectively) are two residents who have donated their sets for the holiday season. Creating nativity scenes is a lifelong passion for the father-daughter duo. Ralph was a pastor and crafted more than 350 nativity scenes in three different sizes to pass down to family members, donate to churchgoers and sell at craft shows. Cathy was a children’s minister and would use her father’s nativity scenes to teach children the true meaning of Christmas. The family is honored to showcase their sets.

“My father loved creating the nativity scenes for many years,” said Cathy Edwards. “Even though he no longer makes the sets, we are thrilled to show off his hard work for residents, associates and guests at Parkway Place. Having them on display is a way of sharing the story of Christmas, and that’s a beautiful thing to see. All the sets on display are unique to each family. The ones my father would make fit into a puzzle and are made from real wood, so they don’t break. It’s inspiring to know so many people have a nativity scene made by my father and that our family members will have the sets to pass on to future generations.”

The sets the Edwards have on display include a homemade wooden one by Ralph, a set from Peru that was a gift to Cathy from her parents from a mission trip, and a Native American-inspired set that was purchased in New Mexico. Parkway Place asks residents to display nativity scenes each year for everyone to enjoy.

“It is so nice to walk up and down the halls and see the different nativity scenes the residents of Parkway Place have graciously put on display for the holidays,” said Susan Phelps, executive director at Parkway Place. “I’ve noticed several residents just stopping and admiring the nativity scenes on their way to dinner or heading to a life enrichment activity. From homemade sets to ones passed down from generation to generation, we love hearing the stories and how meaningful the sets are for the residents. Ralph and Cathy are a perfect example of that. We are grateful they donated three to our display this year, and we hope to continue to grow our nativity scene display next year.”

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You have cancer. Three words nobody ever wants to hear, but that’s exactly what Virginia Smith, 88, was told more than 40 years ago when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The Parkway Place member was a missionary in the Middle East and went in for her yearly checkup when doctors discovered a lump. It was in the early stages, so doctors sent her back to the United States to have surgery. Smith underwent a mastectomy and four weeks of treatment and rehabilitation. She relied on her faith and family to get through the difficult time.

“When the doctors told me I had cancer all I could think was, ‘I don’t want this.’ I was just shocked that I was diagnosed with the disease,” said Smith. “I was 49 years old and already spent more than 15 years in the Middle East as a missionary. I knew I had to go back to the United States for surgery and treatment. A lot of people don’t realize women didn’t receive a lumpectomy back then. It was only a mastectomy, which can be traumatic for many women. I have been in remission ever since. I am very blessed and believe my faith played a large part in my recovery.”

October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and many women share their stories to help educate others and support those battling the disease. Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among American women, with one in eight women expected to develop the disease during their lifetime. While treatment has advanced tremendously in the last 40 years, Smith says early detection is key to fighting the disease. She credits her yearly exam for saving her life.

“It’s very important to do self-exams and go to the doctor regularly,” said Smith. “I spent 31 years as a missionary overseas and always made time to visit the doctor because taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do. While my breast cancer has been in remission for 40 years, I have battled skin cancer in that time. Thankfully, technology is improving every day, which I’ve witnessed firsthand while going through my other battle. I am encouraged with the new treatments offered for women and men facing breast cancer, and I know that the dedicated researchers and doctors will find a cure one day.”

“It’s people like Virginia who motivate us at Parkway Place,” said Susan Phelps, executive director at Parkway Place. “She offers life-saving advice for women and encourages all of us to get yearly exams. Breast health is very important, and we hope Virginia telling her story inspires others to get their annual mammogram and perform regular self-exams. She dedicated her life to serving others, and it’s that strength that helped her overcome her battles.”

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If you spend time with Donna Stadler, 88, and Jean Hartzell, 93, you’ll find they share an unbreakable bond. The two members of Parkway Place (a nonprofit, faith-based senior living community) became friends more than eight years ago. They live two doors down from each other, eat dinner together regularly and go on walks at the community every evening. They share several interests – including exercising – but overall enjoy each other’s company the most. Studies show that friendships have many benefits for older adults, and they positively impact physical and emotional well-being. 

“We share a lot of common interest, so it’s nice to know I can rely on her for anything,” said Stadler. “She was there for me after my husband passed away, and neither of us have children in the Houston area, so we also spend holidays together. I am a former physical therapist and Jean taught exercise classes, so we share an interest in fitness. We started walking around the community and outdoors five years ago. It’s not only to work out, but also to socialize and stay connected. You can make a friend at any age, and I am happy Jean and I found each other at Parkway Place.”

“It’s comforting to know there is somebody who cares about me,” said Hartzell. “We enjoy each other’s company, and I look forward to spending time with Donna each day. Our walks and talks in the evening are meaningful, and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend in retirement. She is like a sister to me, and it’s amazing to learn about a national day dedicated to friendship.”

Stadler and Hartzell are both from the Midwest but spent most of their lives in the Houston area. Hartzell and her husband moved to Parkway Place when the community first opened 20 years ago, and Stadler and her husband decided to call the senior living community home in 2010. Since then, both of their husbands have passed away, and the ladies have relied on each other. Stadler and Hartzell formed a strong bond filled with laughter, support and happiness. Both ladies never imagined finding a best friend in retirement, but that’s exactly what they did.

“Seeing Donna and Jean together inspires us all,” said Susan Phelps, executive director at Parkway Place. “Having a close friend in retirement is very important. They encourage each other to stay active and social, and they maintain their lifestyles while gaining new friends. We are thankful they found each other at Parkway Place, and we look forward to seeing the new memories they build together.”

Involvement in social activities is essential for older adults, as it has a positive effect on their health and overall lifespan. Studies show that seniors with close friends tend to have a more positive and optimistic outlook. At Parkway Place, the members have many opportunities to stay active and participate in engaging events at the community.