by Vickie Jenkins

Meet Mr. Keith Dobbs, President and CEO of CARE, Coalition of Advocates for Responsible Eldercare. This organization was established in 2004 to advocate on behalf of the long-term care community and the frail, elderly and disabled residents which they serve. With a mission to advance the value of long-term health care in Oklahoma, CARE achieves this by sharing the passion and joy of those in the profession through effective education and marketing. Dobbs has been President and CEO of CARE for 2 1/2 years. “My goal with CARE is to understand what is going on in the health care facilities and be a resource as an advocate for the seniors, being their voice and passing it on to our legislatures,” Dobbs states.
Dobbs has worked in several different states, working with hospitals, physicians and long-term health care facilities for quite a few years. “In the past, I have worked in Dallas, California and New York including Long Island. I was traveling all over and seeing up to 4000 physicians. That’s when there was an opportunity to work in Oklahoma. Since I am originally from Oklahoma and have an appreciate for the people here, I decided to move back. I have an understanding with marketing and communication skills and I feel like I can relate and talk to the seniors. Now, I travel all over Oklahoma, visiting every nursing home and health care facility that I am able to; from the big cities to the small rural towns. I talk to the elderly, listen to their stories and become their voice. Presently, I am the only advocate for seniors and their caregivers in Oklahoma. I guess you could say that I am a professional senior storyteller, speaking out for seniors. We have seen some very positive results,” Dobbs comments.
“What is the oldest senior that you have talked with as you travel to the different health care facilities?” I ask Dobbs. “The oldest person that I have talked with is a little lady at Heritage Villa Nursing Home in Bartlesville, OK. She is 108 and is such a delight. She is so sharp and cute,” Dobbs laughs. “She got her driver’s license at the age of 65. How many people can say that? Her name is Mittie Dailey and she has quite a legacy. She has 6 children, 21 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren, 78 great, great grandchildren, and 14 great, great, great grandchildren. Now that is one large family get-together and she loves on every single one of them.”
Asking Dobbs what his biggest challenge in his job is, he replies, “The biggest challenge I see is when the resident is in a nursing home and their family is not as involved as they should be. That can be so sad. That is when I am glad that the caregivers are there for them.”
Over the years, Dobbs has visited over 300 facilities, seeing 600-800 people. Each trip is different and unique. “I really get attached to these older people,” Dobbs says. “When I do visit them, I am usually there for quite a while because they have so much they want to say. They tell me all sorts of stories, some funny and some sad. I feel like if I make that person feel like the most important person in the world that day, I have done my job. Helping these seniors is the most rewarding job for me.”
“What is your biggest asset?” I ask Dobbs. “I would have to say the fact that I am given the opportunity to know that I can talk to this person, take one moment in time and bring happiness to them. Sometimes, it can be a bouquet of flowers, or hundreds of birthday cards (1500) with the help of social media to the senior that thought no one would remember. It could be singing a song or doing a little dance with the senior that thought no one would join in. It’s watching the senior glow with delight. It’s making their wish come true. Yes, I am a senior storyteller and I will continue to be the voice of the elderly people, making a difference in their lives, along with mine,” Dobbs says.

by Mike Lee, Staff Writer

One hundred years can go by in the blink of an eye, but Lois Butler doesn’t plan on missing another second after celebrating her 100th birthday recently.
Butler lives at Heritage Point, located at 12000 N MacArthur Blvd, in Oklahoma City.
And she positively radiates to anyone who meets her.
“It’s pretty amazing that she is able to get around quickly at her age,” said Billie Upshaw, R.N. at Heritage Point. “She is very with it, too. All who are around her know her kindness and benefit from her wisdom.”
Butler was born and raised in Cheney, Kansas – a city in Sedgwick County with a population now of just over 2,000.
Her intention was to always live there after working a career as a telephone operator before becoming a homemaker before the birth of her first child.
Her and her husband raised three daughters.
“My mother is a very kind, generous and loving person,” said Rochelle Rayburn, Butler’s daughter. “Mother was always busy with her family. She loved to entertain and was a wonderful cook and hostess. She always made sure she was available as a mother. I have so many memories of coming home from school and smelling chocolate chip cookies just coming out of the oven.”
Butler and her sisters grew up with a mother who was very active.
Butler was very active in the Order of the Eastern Star, a Freemasonic appendant body open to both men and women. It was established in 1850 by lawyer and educator Rob Morris, a noted Freemason.
The order is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all religious beliefs.
Butler advanced to the position of worthy matron, the highest and presiding officer of the 18-office chapter.
She was also active in P.E.O, which was founded on January 21, 1869, by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
This circle of kindred spirits – bonded by their enthusiasm for women’s opportunities – eventually expanded to include women off campus, as well. Today, P.E.O. has grown from that tiny membership of seven to nearly a quarter of a million members in chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada, with headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.
Her mother was always active at school and church and served on the hospitality board at The Golden Age Home in her 80’s and 90’s.
Visiting every Sunday, The Golden Age Home was what Butler chose as her personal ministry.
Butler was an integral part of the family wheat farming business. She would drive the wheat truck during harvest when needed.
When she wasn’t behind the wheel she was cooking for the hired hands and taking lunch to the field.
Butler credits her positive attitude and great emotional strength for much of her longevity and she’s quickly become a staff favorite at Heritage Point, which opened earlier this year.
“She is an absolute sweetheart and I like spending as much time talking with her as I possibly can,” staff member Charlie Brittain said.

by Vickie Jenkins

Anna Diaz is the Administrator of Noble Health Care Center in Noble, OK. The city of Noble declared July 22nd as Noble Health Care Center Day in recognition of the staff and employee’s loyalty, hard work and devotion to the elderly of their community and achievement in the Best Practices and Administrator of the Year awards.
Today, celebrating Noble Health Care Center Day, representatives from local hospices, dental agencies, retirements centers, etc. are on hand for the big event. The celebration is open to all. Balloons are hung, music is playing and plenty of food is being served. The music is provided by the Tinker Flying High Band and even ‘Elvis’ will be making an appearance, singing songs along with his famous dance moves.
Diaz has been at Noble Health Care Center for 21 years. “I just love these people so much,” she says. “It’s so easy to get attached to them because there is such a strong bond between us. I always remember why I am here; to touch lives. We have a very caring staff and I feel like they give their all to our residents. It’s like we are one big happy family, “ Diaz adds. “Some of our residents have lived here for a long time and I can’t tell you how close we become to that person and their families. We receive thank-you cards all the time from family members. It is so touching to be a part of this extended family.”
Asking Diaz what her greatest asset is, she replies. “I believe in longevity and a caring staff. We care for each other and we definitely work as a team. We laugh and we smile and we care for each other.”
Diaz thinks that Noble Health Care Center is the best nursing home around. “I think it is because of the tender loving care that each employee and each staff member share with the residents. It’s the caring that makes a difference, making our facility stand out from the rest. Love is present throughout the home and I think we all feel it; the residents and the staff. We are happy and positive and it shows each time we are with our residents. It’s not about the building where these residents live, but it’s about each individual and the strong foundation of the people on the inside that make up this home.”
When asking Diaz what her most rewarding thing about her job was, she answered. “Oh, it’s definitely the hugs from the residents. I usually can’t get down the hallway without someone giving me a hug or me taking the time to stop and chat for a minute. I love the people here. I feel so good about knowing how I am touching another person’s life in the smallest way. Sometimes, a smile, a hug, a kind gesture is all it takes. I know it is a true blessing because it is the residents that touch my life. To tell you the truth, we need each other.”
“What do you think is your biggest challenge here at the facility?” I ask. “I think it is the fact that I want to make sure everyone is happy. I can always tell if someone is having a bad day. We try to have good times, staying positive in every way. I realize that whatever I do is going to reflect back on me so I need to be the best I can be.”
“There are many activities offered to the residents here. We play board games, and listen to music. There are entertainers that come to the facility. We have different people come in with their music and the residents enjoy that so much. We have arts and crafts for the residents and church services. We have a good time,” Diaz says.
Asking Diaz if she had any words of wisdom or words to live by, she replied, “Yes, I live an Ephesians 3:20 life which is from Journey Church.”
‘God can do anything you know, far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams. He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His spirit deeply and gently within us.’

by Mike Lee, Staff Writer

For nearly three decades now, Lon Kruger has been called on to be a change agent. It’s a role he’s filled well, and at 63, one he still has a passion and knack for.
With more than 500 career collegiate victories and as the only Division I coach to ever take five different schools to the NCAA Tournament, Lon Kruger has been leaving his trademark rebuilding stamp on college basketball programs as a head coach for 29 years.
In fact, he is perhaps the greatest change agent in the sport’s history.
Headed back from a coaches clinic in Kansas in August, Kruger shared some thoughts on his career, his stay in Norman and the season ahead.
Kruger admits this is his favorite time of the year.
“You’ve done it for a while but every year is different and unique,” Kruger said. “The start of the school year is always a little bit special. Football season is right there and there’s the start of school.”
Kruger welcomes five newcomers this fall including Oklahoma’s first seven-footer in nearly 15 years.
He subscribes to the philosophy that one of the best ways to stay young is to be around young people every day.
“I think there’s truth to that because of their energy, their enthusiasm and their stage in life,” Kruger said. “They’re all changing and developing at different rates. Hopefully we’re part of all of that and that’s the challenge, to help them continue maturing and developing in a good way and be ready when they leave Oklahoma to do whatever they want to do successfully.”
For Kruger, it’s always been about the people he’s coached. The things he is the most proud of are the people he’s seen grow and move on, even though it’s a bit humbling when they show back up toting grandchildren.
Now beginning his fifth season at the University of Oklahoma, Kruger’s reconstruction job with the Sooners has occurred faster than even some of the program’s most ardent fans imagined possible.
After inheriting a program that went 27-36 (.429) in the two seasons prior to his arrival, Kruger has coached the Sooners to a 82-49 (.625) record in his four years in Norman.
Kruger has led Oklahoma to three straight NCAA-tournament appearances.
The Sooners had not been to the postseason since 2009 when they advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight.
Oklahoma is the fifth school Kruger has taken to the Big Dance. His collegiate teams have made postseason appearances in 20 of the last 25 years, and he has the storied OU program positioned for another long run of success.
He’s quick to point out that he hasn’t done it alone, with wife Barbara at his side every step of the way – even when he made the jump to coach in the NBA as an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks.
“That’s huge,” Kruger said, noting his 40th wedding anniversary is coming up in December. “That’s the basis of everything. It’s a partnership and we’ve done all that together. At the heart of it is that relationship.”
What makes Kruger’s more-than-500 career wins and NCAA Tournament trips with five different programs even more impressive is the condition of the programs when they hired him and the rebuilding jobs he faced at each.
In the year before his arrival as head coach at Texas-Pan American, Kansas State, Florida, Illinois, UNLV and Oklahoma, the schools combined for a 78-99 record (.441).
He directed all six programs to 20-win campaigns and took each of the last five to the NCAA Tournament or NIT by his second year.
In 2008, Kruger released his first book, “The Xs & Os of Success: A Playbook for Leaders in Business & Life.” The book, which highlights the parallels between coaching a sports team and leading others in non-sports settings, consists of 40, five-minute lessons conducive to leadership, life and teamwork.
It uses sports as a way to tell the story and a way to make things tangible. All proceeds earned by Kruger from the book went to charity.
Kruger admits the conversation with his wife about life after basketball has come up recently.
So when will that happen?
“That’s a good question,” Kruger said with a chuckle. “We actually started talking about it and that’s never happened before. Five, 10 years from now (the grandkids) will be active and doing their thing and we’ll be enjoying that for sure.”
Daughter Angie, an obstetrician, has given the Krugers a pair of grandchildren in Florida.
Son Kevin is an assistant men’s basketball coach at Northern Arizona University.
Between now and then another season, or two, or three awaits.
And however many remain, Lon and Barbara will tackle them together.

by Mike Lee, Staff Writer

Between Facebook timelines, Twitter feeds and Instagram posts there’s a million ways for people to stay “connected” in this busy world.
But not everyone can keep up with the latest communication fad.
And even if you have mastered your Facebook page that doesn’t mean your kids or your grandkids haven’t moved on to something else.
That was the problem that Keith Kocho, founder and CEO of bloom decided to tackle.
With a diabetic father in Ontario who suffered a stroke alone at home, Kocho understands better than most the sheer practical importance of staying in touch.
But he wanted something more than just a way to monitor his dad’s health.
“Between us, my father and I had lots of technology — computers, tablets, smartphones, social networks, and video conferencing apps. But when I wanted to connect him with the kids, there were challenges,” Kocho said. “Then it struck me that the right approach was to start from scratch and build something integrated and intuitive with a splash of humanity.
Doing his research, Kocho determined the market was saturated with devices that were designed to monitor someone’s physical health or safety in the home. But there wasn’t anything that made it effortless to stay in touch with loved ones.
The bloom product has three distinct yet integrated components: the bloomview display, the bloomband wearable, and a bloomapp available for iOS and Android. Family members share photos and videos through the bloomapp that appear on the bloomview, a stylish, portable display that looks at home in the kitchen or living room. By wearing the bloomband and approaching the bloomview, grandparents automatically trigger those shared moments to appear on the display.
If something piques their interest, they can then initiate video calls with family members right from the bloomview. During these video calls, bloom helps keep conversations rich and current by showing the most recent shared images, ensuring families always have something to talk about.
Heritage Point Senior Living Services Executive Director Melva Noakes is a National Certified Dementia Care Manager who applauds technology like bloom.
“I think this is fantastic for our seniors and their families,” said Noakes, who oversees the Oklahoma City community that specializes in Alzheimer’s and memory care services. “We as families live a busy schedule and this would make us feel a vital part of our seniors’ life.”
Bloom also removes technical barriers to communication, never asking about confusing updates or login credentials. The bloomview makes use of customers’ home Wi-Fi, so users can just plug it in and instantly begin viewing content shared by family members.
“It’s a powerful, but elegant piece of technology in their homes,” Kocho said. “The proactive part is if you’re talking to someone on a regular basis and sharing with them you’re in a much better position to know if they are having health or social issues.
“So it’s a better model than putting a panic button on them and waiting for them to fall down.”
Backed by Google Ventures and FKA, bloom connects families across generations and geographies.
“bloom is a great example of the type of high tech, high touch technology that has huge potential to impact the quality of life of older adults and their families,” said Katie Fike, PhD Gerontologist and co-founder of Aging 2.0. “The contextual awareness and ultra simple interface facilitates family communication in a way that feels magical and seamless instead of frustrating and overtly technical.”
The bloomband wearable also includes additional health and safety features, like activity tracking and emergency support. It’s a wearable that enriches all aspects of a user’s everyday life — from emotional to physical wellness.
Noakes said as long as the technology barrier is low then the results can be amazing for all involved. “It allows both family and seniors to see the things as they happen,” Noakes said. “It also helps with depression and the quality of life for our seniors. We have even found that the resident feels a burst of excitement when talking about his family which enhances their memory and communication.”
Kocho is happy with the outcome and is now taking orders for holiday season delivery.
“We’re looking to bring families closer together and provide them with peace of mind knowing their loved ones are safe, easy to reach, and not missing out on memorable moments,” Kocho said.