QUERENCIA “WALKS THE WALK” TO END ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE Page 1

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

News Release

Contact: Natasha Baker/Beth Wilbins, Forté PR
Phone: (214) 890-7912, (469) 939-6233 / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2008

Querencia Residents and staff “walk the walk” to end Alzheimer’s disease; Win award for most Participants

AUSTIN, texas, October 13, 2008: On October 4, nearly 90 residents, family members, and employees of Querencia at Barton Creek retirement resort gathered in bright orange tie-dyed t-shirts at Austin High School to support efforts to end Alzheimer’s disease in the 17th annual Austin Memory Walk benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association. At the completion of the event, the Austin Memory Walk award for “most participants” was presented to The Querencia at Barton Creek team by The Capital of Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Querencia residents and staff truly pulled together to make an impact for the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease,” said Julie Marceaux, senior living counselor and community relations coordinator of The Plaza at Querencia. “With nearly 90 participants from Querencia, our bright orange shirts did not go unnoticed! I could not have been more proud to be a part of the Querencia team.”

In the months leading up to the walk, Querenica hosted a series of events to raise funds and awareness for the cause. Residents made donations by participating in the community’s root beer float, banana split and popcorn parties; while the staff members enjoyed a “Slice for Life” fundraising pizza party. Both residents and staff members made donations on “Casual for a Cause Day” which allowed residents to wear blue-jeans to dinner and staff members to dress casual for the work day. At the community silent auction, residents bid on themed baskets donated by each department. In addition, the community held a “2008 Querencia Pet Mascot” contest in which residents and staff made donations to vote on their favorite community pet. Heidi Payton, a dachshund owned by residents Helen and Howard Payton, was named the official “2008 Querencia Pet Mascot.” The fundraising efforts from all of the events resulted in a total donation by Querencia at Barton Creek of $6,894.67.

“Querencia at Barton Creek is a strong supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association,” said T.J. Helmcamp, administrator of The Plaza at Querencia. “With 23 memory support suites, we understand the trials that accompany Alzheimer’s disease and strive to provide the highest quality of care and support to residents and their family members. I am honored to be a part of a team that works hard to give back to such a worthy cause.”

Photos (left to right)

#1“Heidi Peyton”, the official “2008 Querencia Pet Mascot”

#2Resident Virginia Goodson Bids in the Querencia Silent Auction to Raise Funds

#3Adriana Alcala, medical records and central supply coordinator of The Plaza at Querencia; Julie Marceaux, senior living counselor and community relations coordinator of The Plaza at Querencia; T.J. Helmcamp, administrator of The Plaza at Querencia; Patience Buchanan, director of social services of The Plaza at Querencia

#4Gayle Havel and Ethel Harvey, residents of Querencia

#5Donna Nix, concierge of The Plaza at Querencia with her dog Lacy Nix

#6Jack Collins and John Kirk, residents of Querencia; Ross Dickmann, executive director of Querencia

#7Megan Bass, senior living counselor of Querencia; Leslie Dominguez, director of marketing of Querencia

#8Gayle Bishop and Betty Pyhrr, residents of Querencia

#9Emily Yeager, lifestyles director of Querencia; Melanie Aaron, marketing coordinator of Querencia; Julie Marceaux, senior living counselor and community relations coordinator of The Plaza at Querencia

#10Julie Marceaux, senior living counselor and community relations coordinator of The Plaza at Querencia; Peggy Johnston, resident of Querencia

#11The Querencia Memory Walk Team

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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