Buckner Retirement Services is pleased to announce the hiring of Constance Lafuente as wellness director of Parkway Place, a faith-based senior living community in Houston. The 33-year-old former collegiate athlete brings a wealth of knowledge about health and physical fitness education to her new role. She recently served as an exercise specialist and director of group fitness for a personal training company, as well as a certified adjunct professor of kinesiology at Lonestar Community College. In the former role, she educated students about health and wellness. In her new position, Lafuente will oversee programming in the state-of-the art wellness center which provides workout equipment and pools for residents to use, as well as fitness classes and personalized wellness programs. While this is her first job at a senior living community, she’s no stranger to working with seniors.

“Over the last ten years I helped people of all ages, but I found spending time with seniors the most rewarding,” said Lafuente. “My grandmother was a recreational director for a senior living community, and when I visited her the residents inspired me. I developed a sweet spot for that age group. When I taught seniors to swim or participated in personal training sessions with them, I knew I needed to make a full career out of it. It’s rewarding to know you made a positive impact on someone’s life.”

“Constance’s dedication to health and wellness and her ability to understand seniors greatly benefit her in leading our wellness center,” said Susan Phelps, executive director. “She is knowledgeable, and the residents appreciate her help. They genuinely understand the impact she makes, and it’s a blessing to see. She has wonderful ideas to encourage the residents and utilize the wellness center to its full potential. I look forward to seeing what she accomplishes in this new role.”

Lafuente started her role with a survey for residents that outlines their fitness class preferences. She plans to develop new classes quarterly and will add more strength classes. Since falling is a concern for seniors, Lafuente will target muscle groups that help prevent falls. She will also develop an incentive program which includes highlighting the healthiest resident each month.

Lafuente graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise with a concentration in nutrition. She received her Master of Science in Health Education from East Stroudsburg University.

Parkway Place, a nonprofit faith-based senior living community in Houston, is undergoing a $12.8 million renovation and expansion project to improve existing areas and create a new state-of-the-art skilled nursing and rehabilitation center. The project has already started and is expected to finish in the fall of 2018. The community currently consists of 159 independent living residences, 58 assisted living apartments, 24 memory care apartments and 60 skilled nursing rooms. The renovation project will transform the skilled nursing rooms into private suites, which will reduce the total number to 40. The project also includes the addition of a bistro-style dining venue, as well as renovation of the existing dining rooms, activity rooms, sitting areas and common spaces. It also will add new lighting and flooring as well as handrails to improve safety at the senior living community.

“The completion of the renovations will benefit current and future residents,” said Susan Phelps, executive director at Parkway Place. “The residents are understanding of the construction process, and we really appreciate their patience while we work to improve the community. We update them each week with a fact sheet so they know what areas we will focus on next. It helps them plan their days around the construction. We knew it was time to renovate and add more amenities for residents to enjoy. The new state-of-the-art skilled nursing center is going to provide more privacy for residents. Since we opened, the rooms have been private or semi-private, and we wanted to change that. While we are losing some rooms, we will make up for it by improving the overall comfort of residents. They are our main priority, and we will do anything to ensure they have a happy place to call home.”   

“As with everything we do, our goal in making these renovations is to further the Parkway Place legacy of serving Houston senior adults with excellence,” said Charlie Wilson, senior vice president for Buckner Retirement Services. “Parkway Place has been part of Houston since 1955, so our history in the local community is rich. The project is going smoothly, and we anticipate construction will finish on time. I think I’m most excited to see the new bistro. Giving residents another dining option is something we’ve wanted for a while. I believe the changes will really make a difference in the lives of senior adults, and that is our main goal. We are here to serve them, and completing this project will give them an updated, beautiful place to live.”

Parkway Place partnered with Hill and Wilkinson General Contractors, D2 Architecture, LLC and interior designer Spellman Brady & Company for the project.

Many people will soon be gathering around the table for the holidays to share the reasons they’re thankful. For Mrs. Billie Selke, 87, she’s forever indebted to the Buckner International organization. She recently moved to Parkway Place, a Buckner Retirement Services community in Houston, but this isn’t the first time she’s lived under a Buckner roof. At the age of eight, Selke became an orphan and lived at the Buckner Orphans Home. Dr. Robert Cooke “Father” Buckner founded the home in Dallas after seeing the needs of hurting and orphaned children in post-Civil War Texas. In the first years, Buckner Orphans Home, later Buckner Children’s Home, was filled with children who were left parentless due to disease and hardship, including Mrs. Selke. The Houston native was one of 600 children who grew up in the home. At the time, Father Buckner didn’t permit adoptions, so she stayed at the home until she graduated from high school in 1947.

“I am thankful for the experiences I had at the Children’s Home, and I look forward to my future at Parkway Place,” said Mrs. Selke. “My experience at Buckner was a pleasant one. I had a lot of friends while I was at the home, and I still keep in contact with some of them today. The Buckner family did a lot of good for children, especially during those hard times. I never knew I would come back and live at a Buckner community again, but I am grateful for this opportunity. When I came to visit friends, I was impressed with Parkway Place.  I remember when it was Buckner Haven on Memorial, I have officially come full circle. I can now say I grew up and retired at Buckner.”

Mrs. Selke was born in Houston, but started her childhood in Oakwood, Texas. She was the oldest of three children and lived in her grandparent’s two-story home with nine other family members. Selke says it was during the Great Depression and times were tough, but things took a turn for the worse on February 5, 1935. Her father died from tuberculosis, and fewer than four years later her mother died from the same disease. Her grandparents were unable to take care of three children under the age of eight, so the family looked for other options. At the time, Buckner Orphans Home only had room for one child, and that was Mrs. Selke. Her two younger brothers were cared for by family members. Selke says she rarely saw her brothers, but understood it wasn’t easy to have visits. She was well taken care of and educated.  Buckner schools, hospitals and churches were all on campus. Her graduating class was quite small because most of the boys joined the service during WWII. After graduating at 16, she moved to Corpus Christi with a cousin and took night classes. She eventually moved back to Houston started working and attending night school.  She and Mr. Harold Selke, Sr. were married in 1967. 

“I’ve lived a fantastic life with my loving husband and children,” said Selke. “The Buckner organization continues to help children today, and if it weren’t for its generosity I don’t know where I would be today. Growing up in an orphanage inspired me to give back. I have volunteered with different organizations over the years, and I’m a member of The Blue Bird Circle here in Houston and a member of The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary. Giving back is what you do.”

“We are so excited that Billie decided to call Parkway Place home,” said Susan Phelps, executive director. “It’s fascinating to hear about her childhood and how Buckner was there for her when she needed us the most. Our mission is to transform the lives of vulnerable children, enrich the lives of seniors, and build strong families through Christ-centered values, and that’s exactly what Buckner did and will continue to do for Billie and others.”  

Houston residents are still picking up the pieces after Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the city. The storm damaged homes and cars and left many people with nowhere to go, including 31 employees of Parkway Place, a faith-based, nonprofit senior living community in Houston. To show their appreciation for the employees, residents at the senior living community collected money, clothing and cleaning supplies to give to the team members. The residents feel strongly that this is a way to give thanks for the team’s dedication to the residents during the storm. Many stayed overnight at the community to ensure the safety of residents as well as themselves. In all, the residents raised more than $17,000, and that money was divided evenly between each of the employees.

“The employees are like family, and we know them personally,” said Paul Smith, resident of Parkway Place. “We care about them. When we heard they suffered because of the storm, we knew we needed to give back. This wasn’t a time to turn our backs on them and just say ‘God bless you.’ It’s humbling to see their dedication and how they wanted to protect us during the storm. They showed up each day with smiles on their faces even though deep down we knew they had a lot going on in their personal lives. I know the amount we gave to them isn’t going to replace everything, but I hope it helps them get back on their feet and have a better outlook on life as they recover from the storm.”

One employee affected by the storm is Duane Davis. He’s been the assistant food and hospitality director at Parkway Place for three and a half years and is thankful for what the residents did. The night Harvey hit, Davis woke up with two feet of water in his home. At that point, he went into survival mode. Getting his five foster children to safety was his first concern. He was able to gather what clothes and blankets he could carry, but by the time he got all the items together the water was at three feet. When he opened his front door, the water was at his waist. He carried each child on his back to higher ground at the day care the children attend, which is about a block away. They stayed there as long as they could until the day care started to flood. Since then, the family has been living at a local hotel. Davis says his home is uninhabitable right now and their four cars were destroyed. While his emotions are all over the place, he knows God will find a way.

“It’s been tough, but I have a great support system with my family and coworkers getting me through this,” said Davis. “We haven’t decided if we will tear down the house and rebuild, but we are taking the necessary steps to determine what’s best for our family. Everyone has been very understanding, and I appreciate that more than anything. The support from residents has been overwhelming. It motivates me to get up and come to Parkway Place each day. The residents and staff are amazing and you get a true feeling of a family-oriented organization. I am grateful for what the residents have done for my family. I am proud to be associated with this community.”

“Our staff went above and beyond to ensure the residents’ needs were met during the storm,” said Susan Phelps, interim executive director at Parkway Place. “Many stepped up and filled shifts while others were stuck in their homes. We also had several staff members and their families stay at our community. We wanted to make sure everyone had somewhere to turn. We weren’t surprised when the residents approached us about hosting a fundraiser. They appreciate everything the team does and consider them to be family. The storm brought out the best in everyone, and it was truly inspiring to see.”

A game typically dominated by a younger crowd is making its way to an older generation. Parkway Place, a nonprofit senior living community, is now offering Bunco for its residents. The community has played twice so far, and both times were a success with over two dozen residents participating. Most of the residents knew of Bunco, but none of them ever played before the community hosted its own games. Parkway Place resident Jo Ann Wenske is from Yoakum, Texas and she always heard “the young kids” talking about the game. The 80-year-old is an avid bridge player, and wanted to give Bunco a try. Other residents decided to join because their daughters play in Bunco groups. Now they won’t stop playing the social dice game! According to AARP, scientists now believe that social interaction is key to maintaining good mental health and warding off disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Many recent studies document the positive effects of social interaction. Research also shows that friendship boosts happiness, reduces stress, improves self-confidence and encourages positive change.

“It’s a great way to keep our minds sharp and alert while socializing,” said Wenske. “It was one of the best evenings I’ve had in a long time. It was full of friendship and was an enjoyable activity. I am glad the community brought the game here. Parkway Place is always offering fun activities for us, and this game is no different. It is exciting to learn something new, and they really hit it out of the park with this game. We love it.”

The game is simple. It’s played in two to four sets, with six rounds in each set. A player at the head table rings a bell to signal the beginning and end of each round. During the game, players at each table take turns rolling three dice to try and earn points. At the end of the game, there are typically multiple winners. The player with the most Buncos, wins, losses, etc. may earn prizes for their successes.

“When we first started I didn’t expect to catch on so quick, but I did,” Wenske said. “When you think of bridge or other social games, they tend to be hard to pick up on, but Bunco was easy for us to do. I look forward to playing each month and getting more residents to join each time.”

This is the first time the community has offered Bunco for residents. They encourage residents to reach out to the staff if they are interested in bringing an activity to the community. Right now, they play Bunco once a month.

“We’ve had a great response to the game,” said Mary Green, life enrichment coordinator. “I’m not sure we expected this much success, but we will take it! We love to see the residents joining in on the fun and talking with one another. It is especially rewarding to know that many of the residents can share Bunco stories with their daughters or granddaughters who also play with their friends. We love adding trendy and interesting activities as options in our community, and we are already looking forward to the next game.”