Buckner Retirement Services seeks to inspire happiness in our seniors every day in a holistic way. The annual Wellness Awards presentations made to seniors at Buckner Calder Woods in Beaumont, Texas, inspire more than happiness – they encourage active healthy living as a way to prolong years of independence. 

The awards come from participation in the fitness assessments offered annually to community residents.

In addition to focusing on senior adults' health as a whole, Buckner senior living communities seek to stay in tune with current wellness trends. An important trend considered across all our communities are personalized wellness plans. Cookie-cutter services are no longer acceptable and our commitment to personalized wellness empowers seniors to achieve their health goals in a way that aligns with who they are – and who they want to be.

Ronald Sanders, director of wellness at Buckner Calder Woods, evaluates participants on health metrics that usually would require a visit to a health care provider for extensive testing. Sanders keeps track of year-over-year progress, using data to inform his selection of classes to improve the seniors’ health and wellness over the next year. 

“Tracking health and wellness is more fun because seniors know what kind of progress they’re making,” Sanders said. “We evaluated several key health indicators, assessed fall risk and depression scores.” 

Sanders tracks metrics for weight, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, electrocardiograms (EKG) and lab work related to cholesterol, diabetes and metabolism. Metabolic health is a critical factor in maintaining energy levels, supporting immune function and preventing chronic diseases.

This year’s Wellness Award winners were:

• Muscular Strength and Endurance – Sandra Maddux 
• Overall Improvement in every fitness component – Wes Ridenhour 
• Yoga Award – Bobbye McGill  
• Zumba Award – Alfrieda Koehnen
• Highest Metabolism Award – Ruel Rogers 
• Greatest Distance Walked in the 6-Six Minute Walk Test – Ruel Rogers
• Barbara White Award – Jo Geisendorff

The Barbara White Award is named after the late resident, Barbara White, who lived at Calder Woods for more than a decade. While confined to a wheelchair, in need of around-the-clock care and 98 years old, she was involved with most exercise classes, played card games and bingo, and always attended outings. 

She passed away in August 2024 and was an inspiration and motivation for the residents at Calder Woods to keep living life fully. Kimberly, White's daughter, had the opportunity to give the Barbara White Award to Jo Geisendorff, who exemplifies similar inspiring qualities. 

Classes are planned to fit the assessed needs of seniors at Calder Woods. Upcoming classes focus on weight training to recover muscle mass, bone density and flexibility; core fitness exercises to improve balance, stability and posture; while other classes focus on cardiovascular fitness.

Sanders has collected the fitness data for 22 months, and he says the improved results of the Calder Woods wellness participants are highly encouraging.  

Buckner senior living communities are committed to the whole picture of health for seniors: from mental, emotional to physical, to encourage them to continue experiencing the fullness of life. 

Learn more about how Buckner Retirement Services inspires happiness near you.