Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community wins national innovation award
November 3, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community is pleased to announce it has been honored with the LeadingAge 2015 Innovation in Care and Services Award.
LeadingAge is a national association that represents 6,000 nonprofit aging-services organizations throughout the United States. The award recognizes organizations for creating programs and services that are models of innovation and excellence and contribute significantly to the quality of life of the individuals they serve. Still Hopes was honored for its high-profile triathlon team training program, which has become a holistic environment of empowerment, inspiration and social engagement for residents of Still Hopes and Columbia-area residents 55-plus.
Denise Heimlich, Director of Wellness at Still Hopes, accepted the award at LeadingAge’s national conference on November 1, 2015, in Boston. Heimlich, who along with USA Triathlon-certified coach Stephanie Cain, supervised the program. She says Still Hopes created the 20-week training program for triathlon beginners to help change the way people think about aging and retirement communities.
“Our team members discovered that aging doesn’t have to mean decline; it could mean growth in mind, body and spirit,” said Heimlich. “Team members found deep personal satisfaction and confidence in completing the training and the race. Regardless of their body type, age or agility, they began to start thinking of themselves as athletes, some for the first time in their lives.”
Danny Sanford, Executive Director and CEO of the retirement community, says the triathlon team training program is just one aspect of an innovative wellness program that keeps Still Hopes at the forefront of the movement toward active aging. “We help adults of all ages thrive in every dimension of wellness,” he says. “We work to inspire renewed purpose and confidence in aging adults by providing them fresh opportunities to achieve and celebrate their personal best.”
Learn more about the healthy lifestyle programs available at Still Hopes online at stillhopes.org/thrive.
About Still Hopes
Still Hopes is a faith-based Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Home to over 300 residents, Still Hopes is governed by a Board of Trustees and is served by a staff totaling more than 400 dedicated employees.
The unique community is built around the Guignard Home, a magnificent Victorian mansion constructed more than a century ago. Known for nurturing the physical, emotional and spiritual wellness of its residents, Still Hopes has earned its reputation as one of the premiere CCRCs in the region. Residents enjoy resort-style amenities as well as the peace of mind that comes from knowing everything they need is close at hand in their vibrant, caring community. To learn more, visit stillhopes.org.
About LeadingAge
Leading Age is an organization whose mission is expanding the world of possibilities for aging. Leading Age serves 6,000 plus members and partners including non-profit organizations representing the entire field of aging services, 39 state partners, hundreds of businesses, consumer groups, foundations and research partners. The organization is also part of the International Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (IAHSA), which spans 30 countries across the globe.
