NEW PRIVATE SOCIAL NETWORK CONNECTS “CYBER SENIORS” Page 1

/ 2500 Barton Creek Boulevard
Austin, Texas 78735
Phone (512) 610-9401
Fax (512) 610-9427

News Release

Contact: Bill Pemberton/Natasha Baker, Forté PR Phone: (214) 890-7912, (469) 939-6233 / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2008

new private social network connects “cyber seniors” to each other, the blogosphere---and beyond

AUSTIN, texas, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008: Move over FaceBook and MySpace, senior residents at Querencia at Barton Creek are tapping the power of social networks with their own private version called IQ, short for Intranet Querencia. Once they log in, these “cyber seniors” enter a customizable interface that lets them design their channels for socializing, games, news, e-mail, sharing photos, importing “widgets” and much more.

Beyond this private virtual community, Querencia residents can take advantage of some of the latest tools for self-expression in our Internet world. For example, residents can launch their own blogs, offer opinions to discussion groups, and issue personal updates.

“Aging experts agree that social interaction slows aging and can even slow the onset of Alzheimer’s,” said Ross Dickmann, executive director of Querencia. “We invested in IQ to give our residents a new channel for socializing that was powerful yet private—at no extra cost to them. IQ offers them an extra layer of communication to enrich their lives with new friends, current information, and shared experiences.”

Unlike its global cousins, IQ is a private social network so there are no random visitors or garish advertising. However, like its public counterparts, IQ allows Querencia residents to shape their own “space,” update their own profile, build personal photo albums, add a friend’s list, and tailor their outside information stream using RSS.

IQ has proven to be an ideal tool for letting these senior residents communicate and share their experiences with their fellow residents, as well as with outside family and friends. As an additional bonus, this feature lets new residents get acquainted with the Querencia staff—and monitor events—even before they move into the community.

Although a private network, IQ also allows residents to set permissions for non-residents to view selected content. This enables the residents to share precious memories, photos, and personal updates with their ‘virtual visitors” –whether from next door or around the world. In the process, they move swiftly up the digital learning curve.

“Computer experience among our residents varies widely,” said Dickmann. “Some have never sent an email before while others require almost no training at all. For those requiring training, we offer a special course on how to use IQ to get the very most from it. Learning IQ takes these inquiring seniors from 0-60 in computer and Internet savvy.”

ABOUT QUERENCIA AT BARTON CREEK

Querencia at Barton Creek is a premier life care retirement resort located at Barton Creek Boulevard and Chalk Knoll Drive in Austin, Texas, less than a mile from Barton Creek Resort & Club. The 400,000-square-foot retirement resort features 167 independent living residences, including 10 villas, on 38 acres.

Residences are available in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans ranging in size from 830 square feet to more than 2,200 square feet. The Plaza at Querencia features assisted living apartment homes in one- and two-bedroom designs, memory support suites, and private skilled nursing rooms.

Querencia at Barton Creek is 501(c)3 not-for-profit retirement community owned by Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation (SQLC), a Texas-based nonprofit organization that owns sister communities Edgemere in Dallas, The Buckingham in Houston, Mirador under development in Corpus Christi, and The Stayton at Museum Way under development in Fort Worth. For information, visit or call (512) 610-9401.

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PHOTO: GROUP SHOT OF QUERENCIA RESIDENTS IN IQ TRAINING COURSE

CUTLINE: Querencia residents (left to right) Bob Durkee, Julie Tipton, Joe Goodson and Elaine Hamillreceive training on IQ, a private social network offered at no cost by the Austin-based life care retirement resort.

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