Hundreds of family members caring for their loved ones across Houston are now better equipped to handle the stresses and challenges they may face as a family member care provider because of Dick Humphrey, 83, a resident of The Buckingham – Houston’s premier retirement community. For nearly 10 years, Humphrey has worked with The Buckingham to further the mission of Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing self-care education for family members who care for their loved ones. Humphrey’s efforts began not long after moving into The Buckingham, when he joined the Board of Directors of Interface Samaritan Counseling Centers, a nonprofit dealing with family issues, which was looking to broaden the range of programs they provided. It was after Humphrey came across an article discussing the lack of preparedness and help families across the country experience, that he realized how he could help to make a difference. With the assistance of Interface Samaritan, The Buckingham and the community’s nonprofit sponsor, Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation (SQLC), Humphrey initiated the first Texas master training session for Powerful Tools for Caregivers. Master trainers from the Powerful Tools headquarters in Portland, Oregon led a three day workshop for a class of 18 Houstonians who were interested in learning how to lead the program in their respective organizations. That training would lead to qualifying six of the original 18 participants as master trainers. Since the initial class in 2009, there have now been 18 more class leader trainings in Houston held at Interface Samaritan. Leading to the certification of over 200 additional class leaders.

“Most of my life I have been involved in community activities and I didn’t want that to change,” said Humphrey. “In an effort to stay active and engaged, I found out about Powerful Tools for Caregivers, and I felt that it would be helpful to residents here at The Buckingham and others in the surrounding community. Thanks to the continuing financial support of The Buckingham we have been able to have a significant impact on the community at large. The course has been taught in 30 locations across Houston, and there are over 250 class leaders across the state of Texas, making us third in the nation for Powerful Tools. Additionally, this training has been provided to over 100 residents and their families within The Buckingham alone. People are able to walk away feeling ready for the unknowns of the future and don’t feel the need to worry. Family member care providers come to us and say they feel confident in their ability to provide quality care as a result of taking better care of themselves.”

The Powerful Tools for Caregivers program is an evidence-based education program offering a unique combination of elements. The scripted curriculum and the intricately detailed training material guarantee its consistency and quality. The program encourages trainers and attendees to collaborate and share experiences. Throughout the class period, family member care providers are given the tools needed to reduce personal stress, communicate effectively, change self-perception, handle challenging situations, work through personal feelings and make decisions effectively. Additionally, the supportive environment helps to prevent feelings of inadequacy in difficult situations related to the unknowns of aging. According to Humphrey, this course provides invaluable knowledge for couples and families as they look ahead to the future. Once a participant has taken the class leader course they are then certified to lead the caregiving program within their sponsor organization in the local community, further widening the reach of the program.

“The partnership between Dick and The Buckingham to begin this program has been priceless,” said Pam Ortiz, director of resident services and lifestyles at The Buckingham. “This program provides an incredible benefit to our residents by giving them the ability to stay in control of their care and plan for the future. Additionally, we get to give back and share with the local community in a way that allows our neighbors to gain invaluable knowledge. We’re proud to help lead the way by preparing seniors and their families to deal with the unknowns of the future and giving them the tools they need to not feel stressed or worried if the times comes that they find themselves in the role of caregiver. This program is yet another extension of the Masterpiece Living® philosophy here at The Buckingham which endeavors to enhance all levels of living.”

Humphrey and Ortiz will soon speak on a panel at Masterpiece Living’s 2017 Lyceum, Aging Elevated: The Summit of Change. During the panel, they will discuss the Powerful Tools for Caregivers program and how it has impacted The Buckingham and the local community.

“We’re incredibly proud of Dick and what he has done not only for The Buckingham, but also the Houston community,” said Cathy Lightfoot, director of marketing at The Buckingham. “It’s residents like Dick that make The Buckingham special and truly make a difference in the lives of others. He saw a need and addressed it. As part of the Masterpiece Living philosophy, we coach and empower residents as they actively help the greater community through outreach. In addition, we offer support to family members and make physical adaptations to our environment in an effort to enhance all levels of living. Dick is a prime example of that philosophy, and we are honored to be a part of the difference he is making.”

Each year, horses and Houstonians dressed in their western finest fill the streets of Houston to celebrate the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. To commemorate the rodeo, the residents of The Buckingham – Houston's premier life care retirement community – recently took part in their own country and western celebration. The Buckingham basked in Texas spirit on Go Texan Day by participating in the community’s annual chili cook-off, as residents and team members faced off to see who would take the top prize for best chili. Participants and attendees were able to savor many different kinds of homemade chili during the contest. Later that evening, residents dressed in their favorite rodeo attire and enjoyed an indulgent Texas-style barbecue dinner complete with a live band that played classic country tunes.

The Buckingham, an SQLC retirement community, embraces every opportunity to help residents experience exciting activities and explore different cultures and traditions, particularly those that honor the spirit of the local Houston community. Through events like the annual chili cook-off, the community provides residents with the opportunity to engage with others and find new ways to be active. The chili cook-off is yet another everyday reminder of the Masterpiece Living® philosophy which is incorporated throughout the community. 

With the new year in full swing, many resolutions are quickly fading away as motivation wanes and Valentine’s Day chocolates appear on supermarket shelves. But for the residents of The Buckingham, an SQLC retirement community, a new cutting-edge health and wellness center is making it easier to stay active. When Jill Bott makes her daily trip to the wellness center, she finds a place where she can enhance her health and well-being in a peaceful, encouraging environment. The premiere wellness center boasts two floors dedicated to the enhancement of residents’ overall health and fitness. Whether through the use of state-of-the-art equipment or participation in one of the many fitness classes available, residents have a multitude of options to choose from to create their own individual fitness regimens. For Bott, having the ability to tailor her activities to fit her schedule and personal goals means she can find the motivation she needs to stay active and pursue a healthy lifestyle at any time.

“I’m in the wellness center just about every day,” said Bott. “The time I spend is never wasted, as I am constantly pushing myself to improve. Being able to come to the wellness center and find peace is something I enjoy every time I walk in the door. By exercising regularly and staying active, I’ve been able to improve my balance and flexibility. It’s so good for all of us to exercise when we can, especially because there’s so many different options to choose from, and everyone can benefit in some way. The wellness center here at The Buckingham is an excellent resource that provides us with a multitude of convenient options.”

Under the watch of Carolyn Teague, fitness specialist at The Buckingham, residents find the encouragement and motivation promoted by Masterpiece Living®  philosophy, they need to make choices that not only benefit their bodies, but every aspect of their lives.

“We want the residents to come to the wellness center and find an activity or a program that they can become passionate about,” said Teague. “It’s important to remember that exercise isn’t just a stimulation for the physical, but the mental, emotional and spiritual as well. Whether a resident finishes a three mile walk or 30 minutes in a bench blast class, we want each person to walk away feeling empowered and capable of doing anything. What makes our health and wellness center so special is that it allows residents to find their inner strength and fortify their dedication to bettering their physical health.”

For resident Dick Humphrey, his almost religious dedication to an active lifestyle began nearly 40 years ago after major heart surgery. Since then, Humphrey is much more aware of the steps he can take bolster his health. Since his retirement, Humphrey makes an effort to visit the wellness center every day. Whether he stops in for 30 minutes on the treadmill or various intervals of weights and other equipment, it’s never time put to waste.

“While I was committed to exercise long before coming to The Buckingham, I’ve found that I can truly benefit by taking advantage of the available amenities,” said Humphrey. “I’m mostly self-motivated when it comes to exercise, and it’s good to know that I’m encouraged to do what works best for me. I still follow a lot of the same regimens and workouts I have for years because they give me a lot of flexibility to do what I like at my leisure.”

Residents will soon find the wellness center to be the center of activity for the upcoming “Living It” program, a month-long initiative that will focus on inspiring senior residents to live a more engaged and active lifestyle. The four-week campaign will center on The Buckingham’s Masterpiece Living® program philosophy, which embraces a wellness-minded attitude and encourages learning throughout the aging process, focusing on an individual’s key development areas – physical, intellectual, social and spiritual.

“We’re proud of our wellness center and the ability to offer residents a quality space where they can come to strengthen themselves,” said Julie Fenske, executive director of The Buckingham. “With the start of our upcoming ‘Living It’ program around the corner, we’re looking forward to seeing residents come to the wellness center and find something new that will build their overall health and wellness at our community.”

Did you know that Alzheimer’s disease affects over 5 million Americans today? Out of that number, 350,000 are Texans. Someone is newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s every 66 seconds, and current projections indicate that this rate will increase to one new diagnosis every 33 seconds by 2050. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and Texas currently ranks fourth in the number of Alzheimer’s disease cases and second in the number of deaths. With these sobering statistics in mind, The Buckingham, an SQLC retirement community, is proud to announce it has raised more than $23,000 for the Houston/Southeast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association this year. Throughout the past year, residents and team members at the senior living community have been hard at work participating in various fundraising events to show their support for those living with the disease. Recently, the community participated in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association to support those in the local Houston community affected by the disease. This special event was particularly meaningful as November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, and those participating were reminded of how they can impact the lives of those affected by the disease.

“This year was our 10th year to participate in the walk as a community,” said Julie Fenske, executive director of The Buckingham. “It was wonderful to see our residents and team members come together with their families to help fight this disease. The impact we’ve made as a community is astounding. Over the past 10 years, we have raised close to $200,000 for the Houston/Southeast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. We are incredibly proud of everyone who has contributed to this cause as we understand firsthand how Alzheimer’s impacts the lives of seniors and their families.” 

In addition to personal donations, the community held a bake sale, silent auction, garage sale, raffles and an Octoberfest dinner. The events had a widespread impact on the community, with support from residents and team members along with their families and those in the local Houston area. The walk was the highlight of this year’s fundraising efforts because The Buckingham had its own team. Additionally, resident Inga Liesner raised nearly $6,000 cooking for an Octoberfest dinner at the community. Liesner donated 100 percent of the proceeds to The Buckingham’s fundraising efforts.  

“At The Buckingham, we do what we can to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Cathy Lightfoot, director of marketing at The Buckingham. “Every day, we work with residents and families as they face this disease head on, and we are dedicated to making a difference. We know the impact this disease has on our community, and we are hopeful that one day there will be a cure.”

The residents of The Buckingham – an SQLC retirement community – have a passion for serving others, a gift they are particularly excited to share during the holiday season. As residents at the senior living community reflect on their blessings over the past year, they are coming together to collect a number of donations and gifts for those in need in the local community. Currently, they are hard at work collecting gently worn coats, sweaters, scarves, hats, mittens, gloves and shoes from employees, residents, and family members for OneWarmCoat that will be donated to shelters and community centers in the Greater Houston area and other communities across the United States. The community also put up two Christmas Angel Trees with a total of 20 angel tags from the Salvation Army. Additionally, The Buckingham team members adopted a family through Chapelwood United Methodist Church to provide Christmas gifts for a local family.

“We’re honored to come together as a community and play a role in helping families and children during the holiday season,” said Julie Fenske, executive director of The Buckingham. “We are grateful to have residents and team members who are so passionate about making our world a better place, and it’s truly a joy to see the impact they are making on the lives of others. We hope that by getting involved in so many ways, we can show our community that giving back to those who need it the most is fun and worthwhile.”

Collecting the donations and gifts supports the Masterpiece Living® philosophy that is infused throughout the entire community. The lifestyle encourages continual learning and promotes a healthy outlook in all regards – physical, intellectual, social and spiritual. Residents of The Buckingham are dedicated to lending a helping hand not just around the holidays, but also all year long.