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2016 ANNUAL REPORT

A New Age in Retirement

TABLE OFCONTENTS

01

05

17

23

31

35

INTRODUCTIONS

CLOSE UP

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

STAYING CONNECTED

EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE

DEPARTMENTAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A Day in the Life

1 | 2016 | WESTMINSTER ANNUAL REPORT

Letter from the Executive Director’s Desk

Greetings,This year’s annual report presents a picture of a typical day in the life of our residents and staff. Our annual report takes readers beyond brochures, offering real-life perspec-tives on the significant drivers that draw generations of families and newcomers to Westminster.

We have come a long way since Westminster opened its doors in 1967—an era when the Apollo space mission was making world headlines and the nation grappled with unrest over Vietnam. While movie theaters debuted The Graduate and Bonnie and Clyde, many seniors struggled to find first-rate healthcare and convenient housing that wel-comed family and friends. As we celebrate Westminster’s 50th Anniversary, we wanted to illustrate how every day is a new begin-ning in this bright era of retirement.

Retirement living translates into freedom, smart healthcare, friendships, health and wellness, and expanded horizons. Residents can walk in the courtyard, swim in the salt water pool, or curl up with a book by the fire. They can take up painting, spend time with neighbors, or pursue another favorite called Laughter Yoga. Residents are constantly

INTRODUCTIONS

on the go with community involvement or travel.

We bring the world to Westminster too, hosting year-round cultural events like our annual book festival with New York Times best-selling authors, and accomplished musi-cians and expert speakers on a variety of top-ics both current and intelligent.

Our Health Care Center once again earned top ratings with U.S. News and World Report, which rates 16,000 nursing homes annu-ally. We also earned a Top Workplace award from the Austin American-Statesman for the third consecutive year. Credit is due to our talented board of directors, our 300+ mem-ber staff including our leadership team, and devoted employees who are profiled along with residents in this year’s magazine.

Located in one of the nation’s fastest-grow-ing retirement cities, Westminster is proud to support regional efforts to improve the quality of life for seniors, including the City’s Commission on Seniors, AustinUP and the Texas Cultural Change Coalition. As a non-profit community, we are actively involved in philanthropic organizations across Texas,

Charles Borst

WESTMINSTER ANNUAL REPORT | 2016 | 2

taking leadership roles in impactful events such as the Alzheimer’s Texas Walk.

We hope you enjoy this glimpse into A Day in the Life at Westminster, illustrating an accomplished and welcoming commu-nity that has earned its reputation as an Austin Original.

Enjoy this glimpse of A Day in the Life at Westminster…which has earned its reputation as an Austin Original.


The New Age of Retirement

The definition of retirement evolves with each generation, inspiring leading senior living communities like Westminster to pay close attention to the trends.

Today’s retiree expects person-centric perks that combine enjoyment and socialization. Westminster’s residents engage in many of the same activities they enjoyed before retirement —cultural and performing arts, continuous learning, and travel—while also discover-ing new interests like creative

writing, painting, foreign language, yoga or tai chi.

Residents stay connected with and informed of the world around them through smart phones and email. They participate in com-puter classes to master social media and software. Westminster is prioritizing technology, offering conve-niences like an online portal allowing residents to sign up for activities, schedule appointments, and connect with other residents.

Residents also want to stay personally connected to multiple generations of family and friends. A 75-year Harvard study tracked the physical and emotional well- being of men from different socio-economic levels, and found that the healthiest and happiest are those who pre-serve close relationships. For easy access to people and places, Westminster provides stress-free transportation. Its central location, visitor park-ing, gourmet healthy living menus, diverse programming,


outdoor spaces, and refined design also make visitors feel welcome.

Westminster is a trendsetter, continuously renovating and upgrading its living spaces to include amenities that turn apartments into homes. Walk-in closets, spacious bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and plenty of natural light make residences ideal for entertaining, or relaxing. From the inside out, Westminster defines the new age of retire-ment, where each day is a new start.


Susan Sharlot knows how to get things done. Before retirement she was a wife, mother, and full-time nurse turned lawyer practicing in the areas of real estate and bankruptcy law. Susan currently serves as president of the Westminster Residents’ Association. She meets with administra-

tive staff to convey resident needs and desires, and coordi-nates 11 resident committees on which 100-plus residents contribute their ideas and skills to benefit the community.

In addition to this large responsibility, Susan enjoys attend-ing productions at Hyde Park Theater, Austin Shakespeare, Ballet Austin, Austin Lyric Opera, and the Austin Symphony. She’s also committed to her book club of 27 years.

Susan and her husband Michael moved into Westminster four years ago. They gave their children the “gift of never having to worry about them as they aged.” Michael died sev-eral years ago but Susan says he loved living at Westminster

Westminster Residents Redefine Retirement

Executive Volunteer

CLOSE UP

6:30 AM COFFEE AND NEWSPAPER

9:00 AM WALK DOG, HONEY

10:00 AM SPANISH CLASS

11:30 AM LUNCH IN RESIDENCE

1:00 PM RESIDENT ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PLANNING

1:30 PM BRIDGE OR POKER

4:30 PM WALK DOG

6:30 PM BOOK CLUB AND DINNER AT FRIEND’S HOUSE

10:00 PM MOVIE ON NETFLIX

12:00 AM LIGHTS OUT, LISTEN TO CLASSICAL MUSIC ON PANDORA

The Story of Us


Westminster Residents Association committees range from food and

wellness to building and grounds, library, and technology. Residents enjoy

the work and the social environment.

and walking in the neigh-borhood, something she continues to enjoy daily. The location is wonderful, close to movies, performing arts, restaurants, favorite

stores and more. There is so much to do at Westminster that “residents joke that they can’t imagine how they ever had time to work. Life is good!”


Charles and Carole Sikes’ Austin roots run deep. They began dating at Austin High School and attended The University of Texas at Austin.

After graduation Charles served in the U.S. Army and later as a Reservist, and then served as the art director of a gallery in Dallas. When he and Carole returned to Austin, Charles managed and eventually expanded his family’s retail business, Bo Peep and Expecting The Best, to include children and maternity clothing. His stores often won Addy awards for their newspaper

advertising and whimsical window displays. He enjoyed a short stint as art director for the CBS affiliate in Austin, and laughs that his desk backed up to Bill Moyers, who was a speech-writer for President Lyndon Johnson.

More recently, Charles has served as chair of the board of Zach Scott Theatre, and as senior warden of the vestry at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

Carole is the first woman to receive a master’s degree in painting and printmaking from The University of Texas. Following graduation she taught art classes in the San Antonio

Rooted in Austin and Art


and Austin public schools, and at The Contemporary - Laguna Gloria campus, for-merly Austin Museum of Art (AMOA). While raising two children, Carole con-tinued painting and sold her work at the AMOA’s Fiesta art show. She later served several terms on the AMOA board of directors, and on the board of the for-mer Huntington Museum, now named the Blanton Museum of Art.

Art and music are their shared passions. The Sikeses are long-time season ticket

9:00 AM SWIM IN SALTWATER POOL

10:00 AM PANCAKE BREAKFAST IN DOGWOOD CAFÉ

11:30 AM “LUNCH BUNCH” WITH AUSTIN FRIENDS

1:30 PM SIESTA

2:30 PM DESK WORK, READING, PERSONAL PROJECTS

6:00 PM MEAL IN LAUREL DINING ROOM WITH FRIENDS

7:00 PM LECTURE IN HARRIS BELL HALL

8:30 PM PBS FEATURES AND TV NEWS

holders to the Austin Symphony. In addition to their commitment to local museums, the Sikeses house a beautiful collection of paintings and folk art from New Guinea, Mexico, Africa and New Mexico.

After moving from acre-age on Lake Travis to Westminster a year ago, the Sikeses take full advantage of downtown activities, transportation, workshops and lectures, restaurants and art shows. Carole recently published a book about the birth of Lake Travis, and

Charles is completing a pro-gram in lay ministry. “Not a day goes by that we don’t feel blessed to be here,” says Carole. In the same breath, she says her goal is to find balance between the many opportunities to social-ize at Westminster and to enjoy solitude and creative endeavors in their comfort-able, quiet residence.


Dr. Charles Chiu was born near the City of Foochow, Fukien, China, and schooled in Shanghai, China. His undergraduate work was at Seattle Pacific College, and graduate work was at the

University of California, Berkeley. He did post-doctorate work in Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Pasadena, California. Dr. Chiu came to the University of Texas at Austin to join the faculty in the Department of Physics in 1971. Eventually he became a tenured professor and made Texas his home.

When selecting a retirement community, Westminster’s central location near downtown immediately stood out. Dr. Chiu’s proximity to his family, and friends, and a medical center were equally important factors in deciding where to live.

Dr. Chiu’s lecture series at Westminster bridges science and religion, specifically focused on the Christian faith. He has tapped into the many activities including the heated pool, Spanish class and the evening programs offered through the Westminster Forum. A voracious reader, Dr. Chiu enjoys discussing the latest novel with one of several community book clubs. He attends plays at the Austin Playhouse and takes community-sponsored day trips such as the tour of the Toyota factory in San Antonio.

Building Bridges

6:00 AM RISE

6:30 AM DAILY DEVOTION AND EMAIL

7:00 AM BREAKFAST WITH SON IN DOGWOOD CAFÉ

9:00 AM MORNING EXERCISE CLASS

10:00 AM SPANISH CLASS

12:00 PM LUNCH WITH DAUGHTER IN DOGWOOD CAFÉ

1:30 PM ONE-MILE WALK ALONG JACKSON AVENUE

2:00 PM READING, COMPUTER WORK

3:00 PM CHOIR PRACTICE

7:00 PM DINNER IN RESIDENCE

8:00 PM TV NEWS AND MOVIE

10:00 PM SWIM IN SALTWATER POOL

11:00 PM BEDTIME


Footloose and Fancy Free Once Cynthia Leach and Pablo Ruiz make a decision they dive right in. Like getting married after a short courtship. Their most recent life decision was

to sell their house on the Barton Hills green-belt and buy a residence at Westminster with a view of the Austin skyline. Pablo had

designed the home where they raised their two sons but when they decided it was time to downsize, they didn’t look back.

Born in Cuba, Pablo arrived in the U.S. in 1962 to attend The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture. He recently retired after a career at the renowned architec-ture firm, Page Southerland Page, followed by two decades as a project architect at UT.


7:30 AM “DONUT FRIDAY” IN DOGWOOD CAFÉ

8:00 AM EXERCISE (WALKING, WATER AEROBICS)

10:00 AM PABLO VOLUNTEERS IN WESTMINSTER’S LITTLE STORE

12:00 PM LUNCH IN RESIDENCE

1:00 PM PABLO VOLUNTEERS IN THE MEMORY UNIT

2:00 PM CYNTHIA ATTENDS BOARD MEETING AT UNIVERSITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

3:30 PM PABLO TUTORS RESIDENTS IN SPANISH

5:30PM DINNER DOWNTOWN AT PERRY’S STEAKHOUSE

7:00 PM LECTURE IN HARRIS BELL HALL OR DOMINO GAMES

Cynthia worked most of her career at the Texas Workforce Commission, finishing her tenure in human resources and training. She has served as a long-time board mem-ber of the University Federal Credit Union and remains an emeritus member.

As UT alumni, they bleed orange and attend football and baseball games, as well as cultural activities on cam-pus. Both bring their under-standing of real estate to the Westminster committee negotiating nearby land use. In addition, Cynthia serves

on the Westminster Buildings & Grounds Committee.

At Westminster, residents can participate in the com-munity life “as much or as little as you want,” says Cynthia. She has noticed that the happiest residents tend to socialize. Cynthia and Pablo take advantage of the happy hours, tours, con-certs, and exercise classes. They’ve reacquainted with old friends and met many new ones.

Their home is adorned with dozens of Peter Bellonci

and Charles Umlauf sculp-tures; the latter was a close friend. In addition, they own art by Daryl Howard, Gustav Likan, Amado Peña, Michael Frary, and several Native American artists.


Claire Culmo, resident

My favorite things about Westminster are the friend-liness and helpfulness of the residents and staff. I also enjoy the good food. And I like the events: bartending at happy hour, playing with my Canasta card group, volunteering with Hidden Treasures, knitting/crochet-ing blankets for premature babies at Seton Hospital, and playing Bingo. There is always something to do (or not), which is a true luxury.

Matt Culmo, son

Since Mom moved to Westminster her schedule is pretty busy. What I enjoy most about the community are the people. Staff and residents alike are incredi-bly friendly and accommo-dating. We love chatting with and meeting new peo-ple every time we visit. The food is really good as well. My wife Katy and I enjoy attending the Newcomer’s Welcome Breakfast, Austin Orchestra, the Christmas party and various lectures.

Family Perspectives


including Bill Thomas's Disrupting Aging, Dr. Christopher Johnson from Texas State University, and Capital City Village meetings.

Martha Van Sickle, resident

My favorite things about Westminster are getting to socialize with other people and participating in the multitude of activities I can chose from. Specifically, I enjoy the reading groups and playing bingo.

Sally Van Sickle, daughter

I love the sense of commu-nity available to residents. Living at Westminster allows residents to stay

engaged and active both at home and in the broader Austin community. As a mem-ber of Austin's Commission on Seniors I see Austin's vibrant and innovative spirit as key to the success of the age-friendly strategic plan, and Westminster seniors imbue that spirit. I also enjoy events at Westminster,


Jean Rasmussen, resident

I love Westminster because we have so much to do! I participate in all the activities that are offered each day, and I go on many of the outings. I especially love playing Bridge, tak-ing Pilates and Laughter Yoga, and going to shows and visiting museum exhibits. Many of the residents have become good friends of mine.

Ande Rasmussen, son

Mom is 15 minutes from my office. I visit her almost every week. We usually have lunch and catch up. The food is always beautiful and delicious. I am impressed with Westminster's staff—everyone is professional and courteous. Their care was outstand-ing when mom was recovering from knee replacement surgery. I’m impressed with all the activities offered each day and I’m happy that she and dad chose Westminster. I can’t wait till I qualify!


Dr. Frank Covert, residentIt is so nice to know that I can do what I want every single day. There is a great staff here to help me if needed, without the chores of home-ownership. Every evening I have the opportu-nity to socialize with old or new friends with drinks and food at one of the two wonderful restaurants with chef-inspired menus. I’m enjoying myself.

Gary Beth Covert Baggett and Carol Covert Crowley, daughters Our great aunt Maude Cartledge started the family tradition of living at Westminster in the 1970s, followed by our grandmother, Lib Covert in the 1980s. Today, our father lives in the Windsor building, and we visit several times a week, along with our children, who have grown up at the community.

Mother adored the people and staff, who make Westminster one of the most secure and welcoming communities in Austin. Initially, Dad was lukewarm about the move. Mother was a social butterfly, while Dad is a reserved surgeon. She looked forward to settling in a familiar place surrounded by loving friends who brought her great joy. Today, Dad feels that support and could not be happier, which gives us tremendous comfort.

From the moment we step through the front door we feel welcome by Westminster’s recep-tionists, concierges, and security guards who demonstrate a great balance of profession-alism and friendliness. Dad has a tight circle of friends but we’ve made friends too, in the elevator, or at events such as bingo, flower arranging, and the annual Christmas dinner with Santa, so we feel like we are a part of the Westminster family.


Laughter Yoga in the Austin American-Statesman

HEALTHY LIFESTYLEIn addition to the many classes offered at Westminster, one instructor is getting a lot of attention for her ability to make exercise laughable.

From left, Billye Jones, Suzy Synder and Martha McAdams Vertrees participate in a laughter yoga class at Westminster Senior Living. Leah Tunnell has been leading laughter yoga classes at Westminster, an assisted living facility in Austin, for eight years. She says laughter stimulates the organs, works the lungs and dilates blood vessels — all of which is good for your body. Laura Skelding for American-Statesman

Leah Tunnell has been leading laughter yoga classes at Westminster, an assisted living facility in Austin, for eight years. She says laughter stimulates the organs, works the lungs and dilates blood vessels — all of which is good for your body. Laura Skelding for American-Statesman

A laugh for good healthLaughter can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and improve cardio fitness, instructor says.

By Pam LeBlancAmerican-Statesman Sta

These people can’t keep a straight face.What began with a deliberate chuckle soon morphed into a giggle, which quickly devolved-into doubled-over-at-the-waist hilarity. Now, an entire roomful of residents of Westminster retirement community has fallen thick into throes of arm-flapping laughter.As it turns out, that’s the point.For the past eight years, Leah Tunnell has led laughter yoga classes for seniors at retirement centers around Austin. Besides boosting moods in sometimes lonely or cranky residents, a good laugh, she says, provides a range of physiological and emotional benefits.Giggling stretches face and body muscles, increases pulse and quickens breathing. Some liken it to an easy workout and

say it can lower blood pressure and provide cardiovascular exercise.Medical experts don’t all agree. Some say studies surrounding laughter are too small and not well conducted — but at the very least laughing burns a little energy. A study by Vanderbilt University showed that 10 minutes of laughter consumes about 40 calories.A University of Maryland study indicated that a sense of humor helps protect against heart disease. And a study from Loma Linda University in California found that people who watched funny videos had lower levels of cortisol, the so-called stress hormone, than those who sat silently. Even the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston offers Laugh-ter Yoga as one of its therapies.

“Laughter itself is a tremendous exercise,” Tunnell says. “When you laugh, you jiggle all your organs around. That stimulates the organs, works your lungs

and dilates blood vessels. Everybody leaves feeling better.”It’s easy, low-impact, inclusive and inexpensive. You don’t need


Exercise classes, personalized training and water aerobics are popular at Westminster.


Maintaining an Active LifestyleResidents take advantage of the plethora of activities and trips.

TXMOST Planetarium

Westminster Garden Club

Balance Ballet

Photoshop Workshop

City Theater

Laughter Yoga

Gonzales (TX) Memorial Museum

Drawing Class

Tai Chi class with Master

Kim

Country Western

Dancing at Broken Spoke

Spanish Class

Blanton Museum of

Art

Oscar G. Brockett Theatre

Armchair Travel

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum

Austin Symphony

Bluebonnet Festival in

Burnet, Texas

Natural Bridge

Wildlife Ranch

Knife & Fork Club

Movie Night

Witte Museum in San Antonio

Scrapbooking Club

Pilates

Ice-Cream Social

Arts, Crafts & Hobbies Show

OKTOBERFEST with Austin Polka Band

The Lone Star Swing Band

Esther’s Follies

Austin Duck Adventure

Check out Dr. Chiu’s lecture

series.

Sign up for Spanish Lessons!

Trade Photo Tips with Sheldon?

REST!


In 2016, Westminster coordinated more than 12,000 activities for residents to remain active, engaged, confident, and independent.

TXMOST Planetarium

Westminster Garden Club

Balance Ballet

Photoshop Workshop

City Theater

Laughter Yoga

Gonzales (TX) Memorial Museum

Drawing Class

Tai Chi class with Master

Kim

Country Western

Dancing at Broken Spoke

Spanish Class

Blanton Museum of

Art

Oscar G. Brockett Theatre

Armchair Travel

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum

Austin Symphony

Bluebonnet Festival in

Burnet, Texas

Natural Bridge

Wildlife Ranch

Knife & Fork Club

Movie Night

Witte Museum in San Antonio

Scrapbooking Club

Pilates

Ice-Cream Social

Arts, Crafts & Hobbies Show

OKTOBERFEST with Austin Polka Band

The Lone Star Swing Band

Esther’s Follies

Austin Duck Adventure

Check out Dr. Chiu’s lecture

series.

Sign up for Spanish Lessons!

Trade Photo Tips with Sheldon?

REST!


After being hit by a car I lost a leg but found a home as a rescue when I was adopted by Ruby and Sheldon Lloyd. For the past three years, I have lived with my bunk-mate Lizzy, a feisty Yorkie, at Westminster. For the Lloyds, animals are family, and a community’s pet policy can be a valuable consideration.

When we moved to Westminster, I thought I would miss my usual spots

The Westminster Dog ShowA Dog’s Life – By Otis Lloyd

in the neighborhood, where I sniffed everything in sight. I worried about being accepted but was welcomed by residents and other friends of a furry nature like Riff and J.R., Pokey and Zippy, and even Aphrodite “Fro Fro,” an 18-year-old tabby cat. Like many res-idents, I thought I would miss my backyard. But as it turns out Westminster has plenty of beautiful green

space with trees and walking trails, where I socialize in the sun with animal lovers who offer gentle strokes of affection.

I respect that not everyone is an animal lover. Every day I am grateful that communi-ties like Westminster have accommodations for four- and even three-legged dogs and other pets who were able to make the move with the families they love.


7:00 AM WAKE SHELDON AND RUBY

7:30 AM DOG CHOW

8:00 AM MORNING NAP

10:00 AM WALK THE WINDSOR COURTYARD

12:00 PM MID-DAY NAP

1:00 PM TAG WITH LIZZY

3:00 PM SAUNTER DOWN JACKSON AVENUE

5:00 PM MORE DOG CHOW

7:00 PM WATCH ANIMAL PLANET

8:00 PM CURL UP ON RUBY’S LAP

9:00 PM BEDTIME

“The joke around the community is that people want to come back as

a dog at Westminster,” says Susan Sharlot, owner of Honey


Virginia Nokes chairs the committee of vol-unteers at the Arbour Health Care Center because “it’s important to stay connected to our neighbors.” The Arbour volunteers assist the staff with birthday parties, games, mov-ies, discussion groups and visits. Volunteers find joy in their relationships and many are matched with particular residents based on personal interests or history. Arbour volun-teers give new Westminster residents tours of all four living areas—assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabili-tation—to provide a comfort level with the spectrum of care offered at Westminster. Whether a resident is staying in the Arbour while healing from surgery or living there longer-term, they remain a vibrant part of the Westminster community.

Taking Care of Neighbors

STAYING CONNECTED

“We keep our ears to the

ground so we know what our

friends and neighbors need.”


In 2016, Westminster generated and contributed approximately $206,000 to nonprofit ini-tiatives that improve the quality of life for Westminster residents and the larger community.

Culture of Giving

• Austin Police Department Blue Santa

• Austin Clubhouse

• AGE of Central Texas

• Caritas of Austin

• Marbridge Foundation

In addition

to dollars,

Westminster

residents and

staff volunteer

their free time to

local nonprofits

that make a real

difference in our

community.

Westminster was again named a Champion Fundraising Team for contributing almost $40,000 to the Alzheimer’s Texas, much of it raised through its annual walk.

• Partners in Education

• Salvation Army

• Texas Culture Change Coalition

• The Settlement Home for Children

• Travis County Brown Santa

• Volunteer Healthcare Clinic

• Wellness Checks Program

• Wildlife Rescue


Youth volunteers from Little Helping Hands support the residents at Westminster with smiles and companionship on a bi-weekly basis. Little Helping Hands engages chil-dren in volunteerism and empowers them to make a difference in their community. Westminster has partnered with Little Helping Hands since 2012, bringing enjoy-ment to our residents and the youth volun-teers alike, as they sit side by side playing games and working on arts and crafts.

Generations “The Westminster Residents Association Committee is an effec-tive forum for discussing possible opportunities for improvement with Westminster's management team. We are fortunate that the manage-ment team is very receptive for new ideas, and often have been studying some of these ideas even before they are put on the Committee's agenda.

Specifically, this year committee members provided testimony to the City Council, which ended up approving the Grove at Shoal Creek development.”

-Bob Rutishauser, member, Resident Association


On June 11, Westminster hosted Honor Flight Austin, which held a ceremony hon-oring Charles H. (Tim) McCoy, a resident World War II veteran and former prisoner of war, with a “Flightless Honor Flight.” A folded American flag and special commemo-rative coin sent by the Purple Heart National Headquarters was also presented to McCoy who was unable to travel to Washington to visit the Memorial.

Ansel Adams was fond of saying that “the negative is comparable to the composer's score and the print to its performance.” Sheldon Lloyd, a retired engineer and pho-tographic hobbyist captures travels with wife, Ruby, and many events at Westminster. He understands that while it takes a fraction of a second to snap the shutter, it may take hours to create the desired image. “I see the image in my mind’s eye, the one I want to share, and the greatest reward comes if the subject enjoys sharing the recorded vision with me.”

Honoring Heroes

Behind the Lens

The resident you are most likely to run into at a University of Texas at Austin sporting event is former electrical engineering pro-fessor Dr. A.J. Welch. Dr. Welch has held season tickets for football and men’s basket-ball for three decades and women’s volley-ball for two decades. He enjoys cheering on the Longhorns with his grandchildren. After retiring from teaching in 2004, Welch continues to be a faithful fan.

Burnt Orange


Westminster welcomed Dr. Bill Thomas, author and physician whose wide-ranging work explores the terrain of human aging. Dr. Thomas’ best-selling book, Second Wind, explores the new aging culture, which encourages seniors to choose the places where they want to live and to live in a man-ner that suits them. “Aging is slow, it’s a shift in a story,” he explained, “the shift is custom-izable but we need each other to age well.”

Westminster boasts 10 Centenarians and Neva Scott is one of them. At 101, Neva says she can not tell much difference physically in reaching this milestone but she "takes more time to reflect on years past."

The Freedom of Aging

Centenarian Club

Hidden Treasures is Westminster’s “glorified monthly garage sale” by and for residents. Residents give unused items to the official gate-keepers, Bob and Margaret Kelly, who orga-nize the items into divisions like clothes, home goods, books and furniture. Items that remain unsold for a few rounds of sales are donated to the Salvation Army or SafePlace, the latter being a nonprofit dedicated to the prevention of violence and abuse. Proceeds from the sales support the Employee Scholarship Fund, the Westminster residents’ rainy day fund, and various Westminster Library resources.

Treasure Trove


In November, Westminster hosted its third annual book festival adopting the timely theme, Presidential Authorship and Election Memories. One of the largest book festi-vals in the U.S. for seniors. Keynotes were Mark Updegrove, LBJ Library and Museum director and author, and Kathryn Smith, who wrote The Gatekeeper, the first account of Marguerite “Missy” LeHand, FDR’s long-time female White House counselor. Updegrove and former State Senator and res-ident Max Sherman discussed the increasing sharp division amongst voters and elected officials, and perspectives on media coverage.

Christy Carpenter, former CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and daughter of Texas journalists Les and Liz Carpenter, guest moderated the discussion with

Smith about how Missy LeHand was a quiet yet indomitable force in the FDR Administration, with Eleanor Roosevelt’s blessing, unknowingly blazing a trail for today’s women.

An audio archivist recorded a podcast of residents discussing their favorite presidents and first ladies, and offering advice on the attitude our nation must adopt to meet the political challenges of the future. Narrator Harry Middleton, LBJ’s legendary speech-writer and the Presidential Library’s direc-tor, repeated President Johnson’s prophetic words, “Yesterday is not ours to recover. But tomorrow is ours to win or lose.”

Living through Learning Cultural Event Feature: A Presidential Year


When Landmarks, The Public Art Program of The University of Texas at Austin, commis-sioned a project for the Dell Medical School called O N E E V E R Y O N E, multimedia and installation artist Ann Hamilton rose to the task. The project she conceived is a series of evocative portraits, each with gentle dig-nity. Westminster was selected as a shooting location and this portrait of resident Robert Norris is featured in the exhibit.

Power of Images


Westminster was again chosen as a “Top Workplace” in Greater Austin, the only senior living community, and one of only four health care companies, who made the top 100.

The Top Workplaces project annually honors 100 area employers scoring exceptionally high marks for overall workplace satisfaction. Each year, thousands of Austin-area employees are surveyed to determine winners.

"Workplace satisfaction is a team effort,” said Kim Ogden, Westminster’s director of human resources. “The award is a testament to our diverse and motivated employment culture, energized by the many success stories that make Westminster one of the best places to work in Austin."

Top Workplace for Third Year

EMPLOYEES LOVE WHAT THEY DO


Every year, Westminster residents recognize employees who they believe best embody the Extraordinary Impressions hos-pitality program.

Star Treatment

Fromleft:

Fromleft:

Cedric Howard Environmental Services

Danielle Salinas Environmental Services,

Tauri Award

Christian Daniel Environmental Services,

Devotion Award

Jaime Cleto Food & Beverage

Precious Harris Health Care Center

Phil Turner Plant Ops

Patricia Wilson Health Care Center, Overall Star Winner


Fromleft:

Loren Gilchrist Health Care Center Employee Safety Leader Award

Jordan Bleecker Community Life Services Above & Beyond Award

Rocio Gutierrez Health Care Center Making a Difference Award

Kaylea Deason Health Care Center

Employee of the Year


How long have you been working at Westminster?

I was hired by Westminster as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) three years ago. Westminster provided me the opportunity to work full time and attend school to train as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). I started school in November 2014 and grad-uated in May 2016.

Can you explain your typical work day at Westminster?

My shift is from 9:45 p.m. to 6:15 a.m. When I first come in I receive reports from the nurse on the ear-lier shift. Then the CNAs and I check to make sure that patients are ready for bed, check vital signs, and are comfortable through-out the night. Then I pass the medications, check the orders for that day to make sure everything is correctly input, chart Medicare, and follow up on cases. Toward the end of my shift I check the refrigerator temperature,

Conversation Corner: Interview with Jasper Johnson, LVN, Arbour Health Care Center

make sure the apartment call bag is filled correctly and the crash cart is equipped.

What do you like most about your job?

I’m always learning some-thing every day from my co-workers and patients. Everyone likes to be treated differently so the challenge is to determine how a person likes to interact. Some peo-ple respond to humor, others are more serious. Some want

to be educated about every-thing, and others don't want to deal with the details. We call this Resident-Centered Care. I have the ability to make a positive difference, and I enjoy the work envi-ronment and the camara-derie that is formed with co-workers.

Do you have family?

I have three daughters and a son, all under the age of seven.


Leadership & Administration

DEPARTMENTAL ACCOMPLISHMENTSWestminster prides itself on providing extraordinary hospitality and the highest quality care. Below are Westminster’s greatest accomplishments in 2016.

• Top Work Places in Austin, 3rd straight year by Austin American-Statesman

• Charles Borst, Executive Director: Dr. Herbert Shore Outstanding Mentor, LeadingAge Award and ACHCA Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award, 2nd straight year and only SNF in Texas for 2nd year

• Ruth Sunil: Top LCS Resident Satisfaction Community Life Services Director

• Leah Tunnell: launched Laughter Yoga training DVD

• Hosted and trained LeadingAge Fellows Leadership Class

• Launched online resident portal to access community information and engagement

• Wellness Checks Program (short-term independent living support) - three FTEs appointed - >100 residents served - provided 2,878 visits

• Residents won 9 Leading Age ArtsInspire Awards

• Founding member of AustinUP community alliance

• Accounts Receivable further reduced to 11 days

• Zero lost work days

• Participation in Eden Leveraging Leadership Program

• Preston Building HVAC upgrade

• Remodel of Ground Floor Preston Building


Odyssey Residential Portal

Residents' Satisfaction Top Quartile among all LCS communities in:

Overall Satisfaction

Activities

Board of Directors

Health Center

Hospitality,

Housekeeping

Landscaping

Marketing

Resident Communications

Residential Health Services

Security

ANNOUNCEMENTSCommunity-related or department-specific

DININGMenus and hours

GROUPSClub or committee information

and meetings

CALENDARSCalendars and events

SOCIALComments, photos and videos

INFORMATIONResident handbook, directory

and staff directory


Marketing

Arbour Health Center

• 100% sold status for 3 months of 2016: August, September, October

• Met all Marketing Bond Covenants

• MarCom Platinum Award for Annual Report

• LeadingAge Award for Excellence in Research & Education Award for "Upsides to Aging Event"

• Showcase community for Environments for Aging National Conference

• Five-Star Quality Rating by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

• One of America’s Top Nursing Homes, U.S. News and World Report 8th straight year

• Best Senior Living in Austin, Senior Resource Guide Reader’s Choice Award 2nd year

• Zero deficiencies identified by Skilled Nursing Health Survey by Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services

• Health Care Center employee turnover rate of 18% for 2016 as opposed to industry average of 92%.

• Participation in DAD’S Music and Memory Pilot Program

• Pharmacy Rotations with The University of Texas at Austin School of Pharmacy

• Training and clinical rotations for CNAs and LVNs in partnership with The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, Austin

Community College, Cybertex Institute of Technology and Goodwill Industries

• Training and clinic experience for social service, nursing administration, and dietitian interns from local colleges and universities

• Fall prevention tools for residents and training among clinical and support staff


Westminster Resident Satisfaction Survey

Financials and DisclosuresIn 2016, Westminster continued its strong financial performance and exceeded all covenants and financial benchmarks, placing it among the top tier in senior living industry. One of the key milestones was the refinancing of bonds for the Westminster expansion, which will save Westminster $12.8 million over the life of the bonds.

• BBB Upgrade

• Net Operating Ratio of 11.95%, better than CCAC median of 5.93% and Fitch BBB of 8.90%

• Cash reserves extending 799.7 Days

• Balanced budget for FY16

• Zero Deficiency Audit 2016

• Refinance of 2010 Bonds for a Present Value Savings of Approx $11,421,921

Westminster LCSResidents...

are very satisfied

would recommend to

friends or family

96%

95%

92%

91%

Industry

84%

80%

Operating Revenue $

Total Independent Living Revenue 16,783,014

Total Health Center Revenue 5,407,880

Total Assisted Living Revenue 1,020,480

Total Other Operating Revenue 45,654

Total Operating Revenue $23,257,028

Operating Expenses $

Total General & Administrative Expense 4,099,648

Total Plant Expenses 2,956,567

Total Environmental Service Expense 1,211,170

Total Food & Beverage Service Expense 5,198,071

Total Resident Services Expense 949,093

Total Health Center Expense 5,621,110

Total Assisted Living Expense 424,102

Total Operating Expense $20,459,761

Other Income $

Amortization Income 4,144,716

Entry Fee Income - Death 805,381

Entry Fee Income - Move Out 269,872

Entry Fee Income - Upgrade/Downgrade 10,000

Apartment Custom Work 25,523

Gifts & Contributions 28,130

Interest Income - Non Operating 921,436

Gain/Loss on sale of investments 753,514

Unrealized Gain/Loss on Investment 791,573

Gain/Loss on Sale of Assets (10,024)

Misc. Income 36,652

Total Other Income $7,776,782

Natural Account YTD Actual

Natural Account YTD Actual Other Expenses $

Amortization Expense (88,105)

Depreciation Expense 4,115,879

Interest Expense - Non-Operating 3,208,369

Professional Non-Operating 23,592

Loss on Early Retirement of Debt 15,406,503

Misc. Expense 9,545

Total Other Expenses $22,675,783

Summary $

Net Operating Income 2,797,268Total Other Income 7,776,782 Total Other Expenses 22,675,783

Net Income/(Loss) $(12,101,734)*

*Due to 2010 Bond Defeasance


Independent Living

Total Units 328.00

Units Occupied 319.14

% Occupied 97.31

Total Residents 395.62

% Double Occupied 23.95

Health Center

Total Beds 85.00

Beds Occupied 81.52

% Occupied 95.9

Medicaid 0.00

Medicaid Bed Hold 0.00

HOSP 0.00

Insurance 0.00

Private Pay 4.88

Permanent Life Care 63.39

Temporary Life Care 6.60

Private Bed Hold 0.00

Medicare 5.67

HMO 0.97

Other 0.00

Occupancy Rates Average monthly totals for period: 2016-01 to 2016-12

Food & Beverage

Meals 9,328

Meals / resident 24

Employee Meals 1,486

Meals / FTE 8

Assisted Living

Total Units 22.00

Units Occupied 21.10

% Occupied 95.90

Total Residents 21.10

Guest Meals 1,976

SNF Meals 7,435

AL Meals 1,935

Total Meals 22,659


Above Industry Standards

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2017 BOARD MEMBERSWilliam D. Brown, Chair

Dr. Diana DiNittoMike Eledge

James FliellerDr. David Fowler, Secretary

Paul E. HilgersNick Moore

David QuintanillaDavid E. Redding, Vice Chair

Edwin R. SharpeJames (Buzzy) Woodworth

RESIDENT BOARD MEMBERSJim Lozier

Susan SharlotMax Sherman

LEGAL COUNSELKevin Reed,

Reed - Claymon, Meeker & Hargett

“The board and executive staff of Westminster exhibited leadership in the refinancing of the bonds in 2016. The careful management of resources allowed for the upgrade of our Fitch Rating, which translated into a lowered interest rate on the bonds, saving Westminster residents several hundred thousand dollars a year. In addition to the excellent financial management of Westminster, our board and elected residents continue to stay involved in expansion decisions related to the Bull Creek development. Westminster is a popular retirement community and we must proactively plan for our future to meet the demand.”

-David E. Redding, Vice Chair



Life Care Services is a business line of LCS. Established in 1971, Life Care Services is the nation’s leading manager and marketer of senior living continuing care retirement communities. Life Care Services currently provides management services for more than 100 not-for-profit and for-profit senior lifestyle communities, serving nearly 27,000 residents in 29 states and the District of Columbia.

Based in Des Moines, Iowa, LCS is a leading provider of lifestyle services and products for people as they age. The company oper-ates business lines focusing on planning and development, opera-tions management, marketing and sales management for senior liv-ing communities, home health care and companion services, senior living community ownership, insurance, international senior living consulting services, and national volume purchasing services.

ABOUT LIFE CARE SERVICES™

ABOUT LCS™

4100 JACKSON AVE AUSTIN, TX 78731 | (512) 454-4643

WWW.WESTMINSTERAUSTINTX.ORG

a new age in retirement...courtship. their most recent life decision was to sell their house on the...

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