Avanti Senior Living is pleased to announce Angela Copeland as the new national director of Salize Memory Care. Copeland started with Avanti Senior Living three years ago. She most recently served in the role of operations strategist for Avanti Senior Living, and prior to that she served as the executive director of Avanti Senior Living at Vision Park. Lori Alford, COO of Avanti Senior Living, made the announcement. Salize is an extension of Avanti’s senior living communities that empowers residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to live life to its fullest. The name Salize is derived from the word “salice,” meaning “willow” in Italian. Willow trees, much like memory care residents, adapt and even thrive in the face of difficult life stresses. Just as the willow tree bends under strong winds but bounces back and continues to flourish, residents living with dementia will prosper despite the challenges created by memory loss.

“I was immediately drawn to Avanti’s resident-focused approach, stimulating design, exemplar programming and the exemplary service provided to residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia,” said Copeland. “Salize has a resident-focused approach with an environment that is conducive to serenity at every level. For example, one of our residents is a retired lawyer. When he moved into one of our Houston communities, we learned of his background and set up a personal office for him equipped with many of the items found in his old office – a telephone, folders, a computer and more. He has responded very well to the setup, and we often see him in there taking calls, reading the paper, having a cup of coffee and ‘working.’ As a result, he experiences less stress and anxiety because he can complete his ‘daily routine’ in a place of comfort. This has really enhanced his quality of life, and his family noticed the remarkable behavioral change. Another resident is really flexible and enjoys advanced yoga. However, many of the other residents are beginners at yoga. Instead of having her join the beginner-level classes, the wellness team designed a one-on-one class for this resident. We took pictures of her during her private session and sent them to her family so they could see her thriving in our community.”

While some residents enjoy doing tasks related to their career or exercising, others enjoy simple hobbies such as putting together puzzles. The Salize team discovered that one particular resident finds personal satisfaction when working independently to piece together her own puzzles. As a result, the team set up a table in the main room for her to sit and complete puzzles while listening to other residents talk nearby. The table faces the window, and she experiences serenity and calmness as she works with a view of the courtyard. This is another example of how Avanti offers a refreshing concept which focuses on the continuation of each individual’s lifestyle, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all schedule all residents must follow. Residents have the power to make their own decisions and continue living the lifestyle they deserve.

“Our goal is to discover our residents’ interests and cater to them either in the form of group activities or individualized workstations or classes,” said Copeland. “Avanti’s desire to deliver resident-focused programming is raising the bar across the industry. We give residents a way to express themselves in a safe environment designed specifically for them, and we see improvements in their mood and overall well-being.”

“I have watched Angela lead by example and infuse her personal dedication to seniors in all she does each and every day in our Salize communities,” said Alford. “She is compassionate and dedicates her energy to creating the Avanti experience for residents who need memory care. She has been a part of our leadership team since the beginning, and this was the next natural step for her. As an asset to Avanti since the opening of one of our first communities, Angela understands our unique approach and will successfully guide the Salize team in her new role.”

Copeland will be responsible for hiring and selecting Salize directors and helping them set up and run their communities. Avanti partnered with Hearthstone Institute, and Copeland will coordinate training with the organization for all team members to ensure they deliver exemplary memory care programming. The goal is to engage those living with memory impairment by focusing on the mind’s strengths and establishing a connection with their abilities which don’t diminish with time.

“My goal in this role is to ensure that our Salize directors and team members are open minded, passionate and innovative, as they will have to approach resident needs in creative ways,” said Copeland. “We do not expect residents to follow a master schedule. We make a point to learn their schedule, preferences and lifestyle so that we can cater to them. For example, some residents like to sleep in, and some like to get up at dawn. If a resident prefers a small breakfast of toast and coffee in the comfort of her suite, we do not make her come to the dining room and serve her a huge breakfast. Likewise, residents have the option to participate in activities or special events if they want to.”

Salize is designed to engage residents’ senses and create a calming environment that assists them with daily living tasks. Sensory technology is a considerable component of the design. The community plays sounds associated with morning, day and night throughout to help residents adjust to the time of day. Sensory boards built into handrails in the hallways help residents navigate throughout Salize and provide sensory stimulation. Salize includes open spaces, short hallways, no blind corners and special lighting to reduce apprehension, confusion and overstimulation. A large enclosed courtyard with walking paths and benches is available for socialization or moments of quiet as well.

Wanting to develop a strong, relatable social media presence for its senior living communities, Avanti Senior Living is proud to announce its first intern, Taylor DePierri. She brings a fresh, young perspective to engagement with adult children and their senior parents. The purpose of the internship is to give college students majoring in communications the opportunity to work with various demographics and develop creative content and strategies for maximizing interactions with targeted clients. Avanti’s team members have embraced DePierri’s ideas and are excited to help her flourish and grow in her new role.

“Taylor has a fresh perspective and enthusiastic attitude, which is invigorating to fellow team members and our residents,” said Lori Alford, COO of Avanti Senior Living. “She serves at our corporate office for our communities in Cypress and Shenandoah. She began in mid-June and we are thrilled to work with her this summer. Internships help students learn and build a foundation for future endeavors in the workforce. We are strong advocates of embracing all ideas, and we believe in supporting the next generation of leaders in our industry. Our hope for Taylor is that she learns the ins and outs of senior living, our messaging, our goals and how our brand is differentiated, then uses that knowledge and her scholastic lessons to apply it to social media. Her ideas and attitude have been much appreciated thus far.”

DePierri was selected by Alford for the first internship position. She has been trained to run social media pages, expand followers, write creative blog posts, keep all accounts updated and work alongside graphic designers for content and imagery. She is also responsible for the company’s internal newsletter, as well as brainstorming new ways to engage adult children and seniors in Houston. Avanti prides itself on its innovative use of technology through customized tablets for residents, as well as its tech-savvy approach to amenities and healthcare tools.

“I have had a wonderful experience so far, as everyone has been welcoming and approachable,” said DePierri. “I am so privileged to work with the residents in addition to the team members at the Towne Lake community. I talk to them about their lives, their interests, their social media usage and views on technology. It has been fascinating and extremely helpful. The stereotype surrounding seniors is that they are not tech savvy or social media savvy and are uninterested in becoming acquainted with it, but that is simply not the case. These seniors want to learn, or already know a lot. Many have emails and social media accounts they use to keep in touch with family. I speak with them regularly to find out what they think is interesting, what their favorite social media accounts are and how they use them. This will help me create appealing content to keep them engaged and spread the word to other people just like them. I didn’t know working with seniors would be so fun!”

DePierri finds the internship intriguing since her background is marketing and graphic design. She is immersing herself in her internship with the senior living community in the hopes of attaining a true understanding of how important social media is for companies like Avanti Senior Living. She is having fun exploring her talents, and she is enjoying bridging the generation gaps through her internship. Many of the residents have become like family to her. Not only is she learning more about marketing and social media, she is gaining a better understanding of life through the residents’ advice, lessons and stories.

“I have always had respect for seniors, but this internship has taught me to look at them as my peers and counselors,” said DePierri. “They have taught me how best to treat other people, how to maximize the time we have been given in our lives, how to enjoy every moment and make the best of each situation, as well as the importance of having fun with what we do. Avanti has taught me how businesses operate and what client-side-communications work entails. In addition, I am learning business etiquette, how to work with different people and interact with different personalities, ways to relate with varying demographics and work styles, and the importance of thinking outside of the box to become a differetiator in the marketplace. Avanti Senior Living is an amazing company, and it is helping me grow, learn and determine if this is what I want to do with my degree. So far, I am enjoying every aspect of it!”

Estelle Nail, an 89-year-old retiree moving from Tennessee to Shenandoah, Texas, will be living in an apartment for the first time in her life. After her husband of 64 years passed away, Estelle felt isolated and in need of help with daily tasks. A few months after her husband’s death, she met with her son Larry Nail and the two discussed moving her to a senior living community close to the family in Houston. After thinking it through, she decided to move to Avanti Senior Living at Vision Park in Shenandoah, and has spent the last few months preparing to downsize from a three-bedroom home to a spacious, one-bedroom apartment. Knowing she is not the only senior undertaking the downsizing challenge, she is willing to share her experiences thus far.

“It’s only natural for things to remind us of our loved ones, whether it’s their favorite chair, the painting they bought at a local fair or something they purchased because they thought of you and knew you would like it,” said Estelle. “However, when it comes to downsizing from a home like the one I spent the last 20 years in with my husband to an apartment, you simply cannot take everything with you. So where to start? My daughter-in-law, Ginny, began by measuring my new apartment to get the exact dimensions and a feel for the layout of the space. In Tennessee, my daughter, Debra, and I measured my furniture to make sure it would fit. While it’s natural and only human to attach memories and sentimental value to things in our homes, you have to think of downsizing in a practical way. You can only move things that will fit in the new space, and it’s a good time to get rid of things you do not use or wear that often, as well as things that won’t be needed in the future.”

To help with the process, Estelle weighed her options, choosing to part with some things in hopes of bringing others. While she knows that her dresser and giant mirror won’t fit with the rest of her bedroom furniture, she plans to bring her lounge chair for the living room. She has a list of must-bring items, as well as a list of would-like-to-bring items, if she has a little extra space. She has given other things to family members, such as her china cabinet. She knows these items will have a good place in their homes and that they will be able to use them. She is thrilled to know her children and grandchildren will be using items that have been in her home as they maintain or build their own homes. The items that not delegated to family will simply be donated to those in need. So far, Estelle is having the hardest time deciding what to do with the thousands of photographs she has collected over the years, which she stores in the attic.

“Thanks to technology, I’ve been able to digitize many photographs so far,” said Larry. “She will be taking some hard copies with her, but the rest she is grouping in collections to give to family members. I’ve put many of the digitized versions on her iPad already and plan to do more. As difficult as the downsizing is, both physically and emotionally, I am more than happy that she has made the decision to move to Texas to be closer to us. We were worried she wouldn’t want to leave her home, but she is embracing this new chapter and handling it with such grace and practicality. My mom was a little apprehensive at first, as is to be expected, but once we showed her around and she learned she would be surrounded by her peers, she was all for it. I know she was feeling alone and sad after my father’s death, and being around people lifts her spirits and gets her health back on track. We have noticed significant changes in her ability to walk, her memory and her overall happiness when she comes to visit and is around people, especially her family. This is going to be a wonderful transition.”

Upon visiting the community, Ginny met another future resident who she believes her mom will get along with well. When describing the woman, Ginny said she was very much like Estelle and that she too loved to play train. Estelle is looking forward to meeting her, along with other residents, through various activities like playing games, attending fitness classes, and art studio tutorials.

“Once my father passed away, it very quickly became obvious that my mother needed extra help,” said Larry. “We began discussing options in November, and are eager for her move this coming August. The things that really stood out to us about Avanti Senior Living at Vision Park are the newness of the community, the deliverance of care and quality of it, and the technology, which no other community integrates in the same way. We love that our mom can order food and transportation from her iPad. Her experience will be truly outstanding.”

“It is very exciting to have residents moving from other states to retire in our communities,” said Angela Copeland, executive director of Avanti Senior Living at Vision Park. “We had a resident move all the way from New Jersey to Avanti Senior Living at Towne Lake in Cypress, and now we are happy to welcome Estelle to Vision Park. We work very hard to be an excellent resource and to make these transitions as seamless as possible. Our residents and their families are at the heart of what we do and why we come to work ready to fulfill such a meaningful purpose. We know that downsizing can be difficult, but we there are many positive things in store for residents when they move in.”

Avanti Senior Living, a revolutionary senior living development, operations and ownership company, is announcing its plan to build a $15 million assisted living and memory care community, Avanti Senior Living at Augusta Pines, in Tomball. The new senior living community will bring a unique balance of sophisticated living, cutting-edge design and technology and unrivaled customer service that will surpass the highest benchmarks currently offered in the senior living industry. Avanti Senior Living at Augusta Pines will be located off Kuykendahl Road and West Rayford Road. Avanti plans to break ground in first quarter of 2016, and the community expects to welcome the first resident in second quarter of 2017. The community will bring more than 60 jobs to Tomball and will have up to 150 residents. Avanti Senior Living at Towne Lake in Cypress recently opened, and Avanti Senior Living at Vision Park in Shenandoah is currently under construction.

“We are passionate about our commitment as change agents in senior living and look forward to providing exceptional living to all seniors,” said Hekker. “We plan to overcome common misconceptions associated with senior housing and create a transformative experience for our residents by giving them a multitude of choices, a culture of connectedness and a sense of empowerment. We feel privileged to bring our unique concept to Tomball and serve seniors who deserve the best lifestyle experience in their retirement.”

Tim Hekker, CEO, and Lori Alford, COO, founded Avanti Senior Living, leveraging their combined 50-plus years of senior living and healthcare experience. Avanti is partnering with architects at PRDG, interior designers at studioSIX5 to make the 77,000-square-foot community a reality. Spacious one- and two-bedroom suites will boast plush carpeting, wood flooring, expansive windows, walk-in closets, oversized showers, stone countertops, upgraded finishes on plumbing, appliances and other household features, sprawling counter space and storage space and other signature features. In addition, RFID keyless entry will allow residents to enter and exit their suites without worrying about carrying keys.

“We are excited to pioneer a whole new concept for senior living communities by combining technology, innovative design and concierge living in a resort-style community,” said Alford. “Our goal is to build and manage a community where residents live with independence, choice and endless opportunities to socialize. The layout of the community will give residents easy access to various destinations, including a state-of-the-art wellness center with ballet barre and fitness equipment, a theater, a full-service salon and spa offering relaxation therapy, aromatherapy, deep tissue massage, hair styling and manicures/pedicures and a fully functional art studio with an abundance of natural light and a stone wall for the residents to display artwork.”

Hekker and Alford created the company with a vision of making senior living sexy by bringing a cutting-edge hospitality approach to the industry. Tim Hekker has completed $925 million in acquisitions and has developed more than $1.8 billion in senior housing properties over the past 30 years. Alford spent 17 years conducting market research and feasibility studies, lobbying for the senior living industry and leading 32 senior living communities nationwide. The two are excited to bring their vision and newest community to Tomball.