Dear Savvy Senior, An old family friend recently asked me to be the executor of his will when he dies. I feel flattered that he asked, but I’m not sure what exactly the job entails. What can you tell me? Concerned Friend

Dear Concerned,
Serving as the executor of your friend’s estate may seem like an honor, but it can also be a huge chore. Here’s what you should know to help you prepare. Rules and Responsibilities
As the executor of your friend’s will, you’re essentially responsible for winding up his affairs after he dies. While this may sound simple enough, you need to be aware that the job can be tedious, time consuming and difficult depending on the complexity of his financial and family situation. Some of the duties required include:
· Filing court papers to start the probate process (this is generally required by law to determine the will’s validity).
· Taking an inventory of everything in his estate.
· Using his estate’s funds to pay bills, including taxes, funeral costs, etc.
· Handling details like terminating his credit cards, and notifying banks and government agencies like Social Security and the post office of his death.
· Preparing and filing his final income tax returns.
· Distributing assets to the beneficiaries named in his will.
Be aware that each state has specific laws and timetables on an executor’s responsibilities. Your state or local bar association may have an online law library that details the rules and requirements. The American Bar Association website also offers guidance on how to settle an estate. Go to americanbar.org and type in “guidelines for individual executors and trustees” to find it.
Get Organized
If you agree to take on the responsibility as executor of your friend’s estate, your first step is to make sure he has an updated will, and find out where all his important documents and financial information is located. Being able to quickly put your hands on deeds, brokerage statements and insurance policies after he dies will save you a lot of time and hassle.
If he has a complex estate, you may want to hire an attorney or tax account to guide you through the process, with the estate picking up the cost. If you need help locating a pro, the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (naepc.org) and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org) are great resources that provide directories on their websites to help you find someone.
Avoid Conflicts
Find out if there are any conflicts between the beneficiaries of your friend’s estate. If there are some potential problems, you can make your job as executor much easier if everyone knows in advance who’s getting what, and why. So ask your friend to tell his beneficiaries what they can expect. This includes the personal items too, because wills often leave it up to the executor to dole out heirlooms. If there’s no distribution plan for personal property, suggest he make one and put it in writing.
Executor Fees
As the executor, you’re entitled to a fee paid by the estate. In most states executors are entitled to take a percentage of the estate’s value, which usually ranges anywhere from 1 to 5 percent depending on the size of the estate. But, if you’re a beneficiary, it may make sense for you to forgo the fee. That’s because fees are taxable, but Uncle Sam in most states don’t tax inheritances.
For more information on the duties of an executor, get a copy of the book “The Executor’s Guide: Settling A Loved One’s Estate or Trust” for $32 at nolo.com or call 800-728-3555.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

08/15/15: Home Health Care, Home Care Differ in many ways

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Aug 18, 2015

by Tina Singleton

Home Health Care and Home Care sound the same, but actually they are different. Home Health Care agencies offer skilled services such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy. In order to receive these services you must be homebound, and have a doctor’s order telling what kind(s) of skilled care you need. The visits are usually an hour or less, two-three times a week. As long as there is a skilled need, they can also send a home health aide to assist with bathing one-three times a week. This type of service is commonly used for people who have new diagnosis or new conditions in which they would benefit from visits from a nurse or a therapist. Some of the reasons that Home Health Care may be indicated would be: § Diabetes § Wound care § Broken hip or hip replacement § Stroke § Congestive heart failure/ COPD § Frequent falls § New medications
Home Health is covered by Medicare. There is also a benefit for Hospice covered by Medicare.Hospice doesn’t always mean that a patient is lying in a hospital bed waiting to take his or her last breath. As long as a doctor is monitoring a decline of someone with a terminal diagnosis, they are eligible to receive this benefit as long as needed. There is no need to wait until an individual has only weeks left to live to take advantage of this benefit. An example of a terminal diagnosis for Hospice might include: § Alzheimer’s or other Dementia § Cancer § Congestive Heart Failure § COPD § HIV/AIDS § Chronic liver or renal disease
Medicare will pay for medications, supplies, medical equipment, nursing care, aide visits, social work assistance, and chaplain outreach through the Hospice benefits.
Home Care can be received by anyone. It is non-skilled care. A client may be someone coming home after having surgery who just needs a little extra help with meals or laundry, or have someone there to assist them, if they need anything. The typical client is someone who is elderly who is no longer safe to stay at home alone and needs help with their personal care such as bathing, bathroom assistance, dressing, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and meal preparation. Home care can also be companionship. Sometimes just the companionship of another person makes a huge difference. So many times you see the elderly go through loneliness and even depression because they have no one to talk to or to do things with. Services can be adjusted to fit a client’s changing needs, anything from just a few hours a week, all the way to 24 hour care. Home care does not require someone to be homebound, and there is no doctor’s order needed. Home care can work alongside a Home Health Care, or Hospice agency to compliment the services already being offered. Home care is private pay, although here are a few ways you may be able to get some help in paying for the services: § VA Benefits – Homemaker Program or the Aide and Assistance Program § Long term care Insurance § Respite vouchers § Reverse mortgage § Life insurance policy
There are some programs offered to Medicaid recipients also. They can be utilized in a combination of skilled care and non-skilled care. These services have to be arranged by a Medicaid case manager, and provided by a Medicaid licensed home healthcare agency.
To sum this up for you, Home Health is short term, intermittent skilled visits paid for by Medicare. Hospice is care for those with a terminal diagnosis that is declining, and Home care is non-skilled care that can be tailored to the client’s needs and is private pay.
For additional information, please contact Tina Singleton, Right Choice Personal Assistance (405) 595-7066 I hope this is okay.

08/15/15: TRAVEL/ ENTERTAINMENT: A Road Trip Through Georgia

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Aug 18, 2015

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn [email protected]

When you think of visiting Georgia you may only think of the big towns like Atlanta or Augusta, but there are other fascinating towns if you can make the time to travel by car which produces your own unique road trip.
Atlanta does have a lot to offer and I have to say I am impressed with my overnight stay at the Westin Peach Tree Plaza Hotel (https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlpl-the-westin-peachtree-plaza-atlanta/), with its downtown location, comfy rooms and an impressive observation deck on the 73 floor, capped off with a cocktail lounge and The Sundial Restaurant on adjoining floors. During the cocktail hour I enjoyed their Bar 73 New Georgia Peach Martini ($14) of Grey Goose, Peach Schnapps and Amaretto, to accompany a small Caesar salad ($9). The rotating cocktail lounge is a combination of exhilaration and relaxation with incomparable views of Atlanta.
Augusta (http://www.visitaugusta.com/) offers the historic yet quirky Partridge Inn which was the center of tourist attention of 1889 to 1930. After a recent renovation following many more previous additions, the Partridge Inn sits on “the hill,” as a testament to time and travelers of all seasons. A cocktail or light supper out on the verandah offers a tranquil and southern elegant evening. And while Augusta’s funky, The Bees Knees Restaurant is known for its variety of Tapas, I delighted in my first chicken and waffles. Among many attractions, Augusta offers for your education and enjoyment; the Canal National Heritage area, the Museum of History with a special exhibit of home town musician, James Brown, and an historic downtown with its Haunted Pillar. Touching or moving it may result in a death.
Escape to Statesboro (www.visitstatesboroga.com) where you will find a banquet size meal served in family style elegance complete with ghosts stories in the Historic Beaver House Restaurant (http://www.thebeaverhouserestaurant.com) at 121 South Main Street.
The home dates back to 1911 and has an antebellum charm but in a real family residence, where room sizes are small but portions are large. The Traditional Boarding House Dinner served on Friday and Saturdays offers exceptional Prime Rib and Fried Fantail Shrimp which is served along with a plethora of homemade sides. And if you need a sweet desert or more, try the Cotton Patch Bakery and Deli for more homemade madness. If you are in a shopping mode on certain days take in the Main Street Farmers market and the nearby comic memorabilia shop, that brings out the kid in us all.
Statesboro is also home of legendary entertainer Emma Kelly. She was called by song writer Johnny Mercer as the lady of ten thousand songs, She is featured in a chapter in the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and I was privilege to have sat in on a couple of her cocktail lounge performances in Savanah in past years. It was a life affirming joy to see that Statesboro renamed a theater in her honor before she past. (http://www.averittcenterforthearts.org)
You may think you are in Europe when you stay at the Hotel Indigo in Athens, Georgia. The rooms are equipped with modern amenities, and light switches that may take a little exploration for you to work. This modern design and the hotel’s LEED Gold Certified property of sustainability, fits perfectly with Athens being the host to the University of Georgia.
As one might expect of a university town, Athens has upscale dining as I experienced at The Five & Ten Restaurant where I had a pre fix dinner of Smoked Kielbasa with artichokes, radicchio, fermented sunchoke, sorghum gastrique with sunflower seeds, and an entrée of Glazed Lamb Shoulder with pickled blueberries, hakurei turnips, fennel, smoked pecans and onion broth. A red wine of Minerviois, Chateau D’Oupia, from Languedoc, France 2012 accompanied the meal before the desert of Panna Cotta with pecan sandie thumbprint and pickled peaches. All was impeccably served and while the Lamb was delicious the Panna Cotta was ecstasy! And the true test of fine dining is a properly prepared Martini, which Five & Ten poured to my satisfaction.
Besides the Georgia Museum of Art, artistic delights should be consumed at a number of other eateries, including The Place, Creature Comforts Brewery and the roof top of the Georgia Theatre at Phickles Pickles serving Fried Chicken Skins and Pimento Cheese made with goat cheese. Yum!
Albany, Georgia (http://www.albany.ga.us) has the Ray Charles Plaza complete with a bronze of the entertainer and his piano at Riverfront Park, the Welcome Center in the old bridge house of the Flint River, the Civil Rights Institute and the new Flint River Aquarium. Albany is home to eight golf course and a number of entertainers including, Ray Stevens, Luke Bryan and American Idol Winner, Phillip Phillips. To round out your road trip a stop in Washington (www.historyofwilkes.org) will be a surprise you will not forget with its quaint town square, row upon row of architectural house gems, and the Washington Historical Museum in a home built in 1835, and today serves as a reminder of the past to understand the future of Wilkes County.
When in Georgia think about taking in one of these under sung locales.

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
http://realtraveladventures.com/author/zinn/
http://www.examiner.com/travel-in-oklahoma-city/terry-zinn
www.new.okveterannews.com – www.martinitravels.com

08/15/15: There’s No Place Like Home

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Aug 18, 2015

The great room, where groups or residents can meet and sit when the Grand Tapestry at Quail Springs is completed.

Story and photos by Vickie Jenkins

Meet Donna Bingham, Community Manager for the upcoming Grand Tapestry at Quail Springs apartments in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This brand new luxury apartment community is exclusively for active adults 55 and older and will be a spacious, gated and pet-friendly community, the perfect place to call home.
Avenida Senior Living LLC, in partnership with Black Oak Reality Fund of Oklahoma City is proud to unveil their newest development, located at 14101 North Kentucky Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK. The walkable location offers easy access to retail, entertainment, restaurants and medical facilities. This 140-unit community will feature state of the art amenities not previously available in Oklahoma City.
“I love what I do. I am proud of the community that Grand Tapestry is building. We are providing everything the 55 and better community loves to do under one roof with convenience, comfort and affordability,” Bingham states. Avenida Senior Living is dedicated to developing this new generation of active senior living communities intelligently and strategically located to meet the needs and preferences of today’s active and engaged senior. These age-restricted apartment communities are a ‘right at home fit’ for this stage of life, providing residents a safe and secure maintenance-free lifestyle with a full daily schedule of physically invigorating, emotionally engaging and socially stimulated activities. The senior tenant lives independently with a full amenity and activity package and shuttle transportation, which are all included at a comfortable, monthly rental cost that meets a senior’s budget. There are no buy-in or entrance fees. Additional services can be added by the tenant on a la carte basis, so that the senior pays only for the services needed.
The completion date for Grand Tapestry at Quail Springs is set for December 1, 2015. Designed in a resort-like, craftsman inspired architecture style Grand Tapestry at Quail Springs comes in a variety of one-and two-bedroom floor plans to meet your specific needs.
“It is rewarding to spend my days with my community. I get to hear their stories, understanding how they feel and what they want, but the best part is I get the biggest hugs,” Bingham says. “They know I am working alongside them to make this our community. They are my neighbors and my friends,” she adds.
“When I tell others about Grand Tapestry, I tell them about our fabulous apartments with granite kitchens, walk-in showers and lots of attention to detail in their homes. Then, I tell them about all of the amenities; the continental breakfast, the daily activities, the fabulous heated salt water pool, and then I tell them, think hotel, actually a 5-star hotel, that’s where you will be living,” Bingham explains.
“It is always exciting to move into a brand new home, even more so when you realize all of the fun community activities you get with it. We have several area chefs that are willing to come in and do food demonstrations. We have a fabulous 3-tier theater room for movies. We expect to have catered brunches available for the community and their families on Sundays, and we even have several meeting rooms that will not only be open to our community but to groups that belong to as well, free of charge. We have spoken to a Red Hatters group and a bunco group, we will have many fun activities going on, no matter what you like to do,” Bingham comments.
When asked about the area, Bingham replies, “The Quail Springs area is one of Oklahoma City’s most desirable neighborhoods. The area is home to one of the city’s major shopping malls and is a hub for all types of restaurants and retail options. World class health centers and churches are also close by.” “When I met with the management company for GREYSTAR and I was told about the community that they were building in Oklahoma City, I was so excited! Then they asked if I would be the manager, I look forward to it and am proud to get the opportunity. After meeting with the owners, developers and marketing people of Grand Tapestry of Quail Springs, I was ready to move immediately! It’s awesome to love what you do, love the people you do it with and the ones you do it for. What more could I ask for?” Bingham says with a smile.

Donna Bingham, Community Manager of the upcoming Grand Tapestry at Quail Springs apartments, Oklahoma City, OK shows a display of the different finishes that are in the common areas; the bistro and the great room.

Kris Judd, Senior Regional Property Manager of GREYSTAR in Irving, TX, Gail Peacock, Director of Sales and Marketing, Tulsa, Ok and Oklahoma City, Ok of Grand Tapestry

08/15/15: New technology helps seniors stay closer

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Aug 18, 2015

Bloom — Seniors can stay connected to their loves ones without worrying about learning a new technology.

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.

08/15/15: ‘ARGUS AT THE WILL’ FEATURES OKC RETURN OF STATE’S MOST FAMOUS NIGHT CLUB COMIC

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Aug 18, 2015

Robin Williams once called legendary Oklahoma comedian Argus Hamilton “The Will Rogers of the Baby Boom.”
Now the Hollywood-based comic will be welcomed back to Oklahoma City in a comedy dinner show at The Will Rogers Theater.
Hamilton, the host comedian at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, Calif. and syndicated newspaper humor columnist, will star in “Argus at the Will.” a show that also features local comedians Kelly “Dr. K” Flanagan, Stan Silliman and Brett James, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21.
Tickets for the show are $55 general admission and $65 VIP when ordered in advance at TicketStorm.com or by calling 866-966-1777. The theater’s Classic Americana Buffet is included in the price of the ticket. There will be a cash bar featuring noted mixologist JoDaniel Johnson, who was recognized by The Oklahoma Gazette as one of the top bartenders in Oklahoma City.
Hamilton was delighted at the title and location of the show because Robin Williams and Hamilton’s timeless wit are not the only links he has to Will Rogers. His grandfather, Argus James Hamilton Sr., was a college friend of Rogers and officiated at the classic comedian’s funeral.
Hamilton’s resume includes four decades of comedy. After working as a writer for the television series “Laugh In,” he was one of the pioneer comedians of the 1980s comedy boom, making several appearances on the “Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson.” In 2007, former Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry named Hamilton the Official Comedian of the Centennial, honoring the state’s 100th anniversary.
Dr. K will be opening and hosting the show. The former journalist and college professor is a 10-year veteran of comedy and brings a unique mixture of one-liners and analogies to the stage
Also featured is author/comedian Stan Silliman, who has written for feature and headlining comics nationwide, cartoonists, roasts and special assignments. His cartoon-humorous poetry book “The News in Double Dactyls” was named Oklahoma Best Book of Poetry in 2002.
Also performing in the show is Brett James, who has taken the Oklahoma comedy scene by force in the past two years. James is a two-time qualifier for the World Series of Comedy. A master sergeant and budget analyst in the U.S. Air Force for almost 20 years, James is also touring the country as part of the Veterans of Comedy Tour.
The doors will open at 7 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30. The show begins at 8:30 p.m.

08/15/15: GREG SCHWEM: This selfie stick makes my life awesome!

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Aug 18, 2015

By Greg Schwem

For a week I sat in a lawn chair next to our mailbox, waiting for the sound of the U.S. Postal Service truck. Or UPS. I didn’t care who delivered it. But the wait was unbearable.
“Not today,” our mail carrier said as she handed me an armload of back-to-school catalogues, casino invitations and a property tax bill, the latter requiring my immediate attention. “I’m sorry, Mr. Schwem.”
“It’s NEVER gonna get here,” I wailed.
“You should look into Amazon Prime. Guaranteed two-day shipping,” she said before continuing down the block.
Finally, the blessed day occurred. “There’s a package for you in the hall,” my wife said, waving her hand in that direction as if I had forgotten where our foyer was located. “Are you expecting something?”
I charged toward our home’s front door, nearly colliding with the dog. A brown, skinny cardboard box lay on the coffee table.
“It’s here. It’s finally here,” I squealed in delight.
“WHAT’S here?” my wife asked.
“My selfie stick.”
“That doesn’t say ‘selfie stick,’” my wife said, glancing at the now opened box. It says, ‘Premium All in One Telescopic Pole.’”
“That’s the fancy title. It’s a selfie stick.”
“And what are you planning to do with that?” she asked as I extended the stick to its full 47-inch length, nearly knocking a decorative plate off the table in the process.
“What WON’T I do with it?” I replied, attaching my iPhone to the universal Smartphone mount, hitting ‘record’ and aiming the stick directly at her face. Might as well capture this teaching moment.
“Honey, the possibilities are endless,” I continued. “I can take it to concerts and sporting events and block the views of people sitting behind me while I record hours of shaky, out-of-focus footage that I know I’ll never watch!”
“Is that all?”
“Of course not. Now I can walk through airports holding the stick in front of me and talking to it!”
“And what does one say to a selfie stick?”
“Something profound like, ‘Hey, I’m in the airport. I’m walking toward the gate now and pretty soon I’m gonna get on a plane and go to Orlando. But first I’m gonna stop at Starbucks.’ Then I’ll spend the flight editing the footage on iMovie and, by the time the plane lands, I’ll have it posted on YouTube so everybody can see just how narcissistic I am!”
“You think people will want to watch that?”
“Of course. Because my life is AWESOME. Everybody with a selfie stick thinks the same thing, which is why we want to share the minutest details of our existence.”
Just then the door opened. My 18-year-old daughter entered, wearing headphones and bathed in sweat. I pointed the stick her way.
“Hi, honey, have you been out jogging?” I asked, the camera still rolling.
“No, Dad, a bucket of water fell on me from the sky,” she replied. “Wait, what are you doing? Why are you following me?”
“I’m not following you. I’m just casually walking behind you and recording this without your permission. That’s what you do when you own a selfie stick.”
“Dad, I’m about to take a shower. Mom, make him stop!”
“Lower the stick, Greg,” my wife commanded. “NOW!”
I switched the phone off. The battery had dropped from 76 percent to eight, one of the drawbacks of continuous photography and movie making. I plugged it into the nearest charger. Selfie stick owners need a steady supply of juice.
“I don’t want to see that thing in the house,” she said.
“Can we have this conversation later?” I asked. “When my phone is recharged? I’ll record it and add it to my recently created ‘Arguments With My Wife’ YouTube channel.”
“If you want to use that stick for work, promotion, whatever, that’s fine. But you’re not putting our lives on display. Got it?”
“Selfie stick owners don’t like hearing ‘no.’”
“Would this owner like his selfie stick broken in half?”

“Fine. I’m going outside to mow the lawn now.”

“How long will that take?”

“About 45 minutes. Maybe longer if the lighting is good. I need a new video for the ‘Guys Mowing their Lawns’ channel.”
“I don’t know you.”

(Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad,” available at http://bit.ly/gregschwem. Visit Greg on the Web at www.gregschwem.com.)

08/15/15 SENIOR TALK: What is your favorite season and why? Easter Seals Oklahoma, OK

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Aug 18, 2015

What is your favorite season and why? Easter Seals Oklahoma, OK

“I like all of the different seasons but I will say winter because my birthday is in January.” Lena Tisdale

“I like spring. Everything is just better in the spring.” Gerald Cunningham

“I like the fall. I like the cool weather.” Lloyd Fortune

“I like the summer.” Julia Loveless

08/15/15: NOT-FOR-PROFIT PURCHASES OKLAHOMA CITY ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

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Aug 18, 2015

Albuquerque, New Mexico, August 13, 2015- Haverland Carter LifeStyle Group (HCLG), a mission driven, faith based New Mexico not-for-profit 501(c) (3) has purchased Sommerset Assisted Living and Memory Care Center located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Formerly a family owned, for-profit community, the name will be changed to Sommerset Neighborhood and become a not-for-profit affiliate of HCLG.
HCLG is an integrated retirement lifestyle provider currently operating one LifeCare Community, La Vida Llena in Albuquerque and has another under construction, The Neighborhood in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Its new acquisition, Sommerset Neighborhood, was built in three phases between 1998 and 2005 with a total of 124 studio and one bedroom apartments providing Assisted Living, Memory Care and Progressive Care. HCLG will bring its 30+ years of experience operating La Vida Llena, Albuquerque’s only LifeCare Community, and has a history of excellent care in its nursing home, assisted living and memory care. La Vida Llena consistently holds a 5 star rating, the highest rating from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program.
“This acquisition is in perfect alignment with Haverland Carter’s not-for-profit mission of offering senior housing and health care options. The experienced leadership of HCLG will benefit the residents and employees of Sommerset,” stated E. DeAnn Eaton, the CEO of HCLG.
“There will be no dramatic first day changes in employment or provision of services to the residents,” stated Ms. Eaton. “Our plan is to gradually adapt Sommerset to the HCLG branding best recognized by being named One of the Top 10 Best Places to Work Large Employers in New Mexico in 2014 by The Albuquerque Business First and as “Albuquerque’s Best Senior Living Community” in 2015 in a survey of readers of The Albuquerque Journal.
“It is within our strategic plan to grow business either by building new or through acquisition. Our strategic plan,” continues Ms. Eaton, “is to seek new opportunities to provide care and services beyond our existing boundaries. Certainly going into Oklahoma has us expanding our geographic presence, but also has us diversifying by adding a freestanding Assisted Living community to our LifeCare Communities.”
“HCLG current affiliates, La Vida Llena and The Neighborhood in Rio Ranch, will not be affected by this acquisition.” Explained the CEO.
Connie Bailey, JD and Ida Dunn, the previous owners, were dedicated to the residents and the staff of Sommerset and wanted the best possible outcome as they decided to retire from being the owner/operators of Sommerset. “We were impressed with HCLG as a mission driven, not-for-profit organization and felt they would assure the best care for the residents and preserve continued employment for the staff,” stated Connie Bailey, “We are leaving Sommerset in good hands.”
Haverland Carter is committed to excellence in retirement community management. It is our mission to enhance the well-being and quality of life for older persons with competency, compassion and ethical behavior.

08/15/15: Young man’s game

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Aug 18, 2015

Still going strong at 63, Oklahoma Men’s Basketball Coach Lon Kruger continues to excel as a leader of young men.

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.