SAFEKEEPING

"A few years back, my 70-year old Aunt fell on a drugstore sidewalk.   The impact of the fall broke her hip and, perhaps more importantly, fractured her sense of independence.   For months following her surgery and hospital stay, she endured tedious rehabilitative sessions, learning to walk with the support of a walker, slowly regaining the ability to amble without support.   To this day, though, she fears another fall for a couple of very good reasons:   First of all, she doesn't want to relive the agony of breaking a hip -- or any bone structure for that matter -- and have to relive surgery and rehabilitation again.    Secondly, at the time of her hip-breaking fall, my Aunt was alone and, therefore, had to wait, painfully, for someone to help her back to her home.   Fortunately, it was a Good Samaritan who found her and assisted her;  but I know it still must have been a humiliating experience for my Aunt to be at the mercy of a complete stranger.

"These very reasons compel thousands of members of the Texas Masonic Family to the doors of retirement centers.   Most need help with one or more daily activities, but many also live in fear of not being able to get help in the time of a medical emergency.   My own Aunt has shirked off her old exercise routine of walking around the neighborhood and instead goes to a local health club to participate in group activities -- just for the security of knowing someone can rescue her should an injury occur while she's getting a workout.   Yes, it costs more, but that security is worth every penny, according to her.   And I'm sure that this very sentiment is echoed thousands of time over by most folks that have taken up residence in retirement centers.

"That's exactly why the TEXAS  MASONIC  RETIREMENT  CENTER is striving to go the extra mile to keep residents out of harm's way, while at the same time giving family members assurance that their loved ones are safe.

"Although I'm still a few years away from moving to the TEXAS  MASONIC  RETIREMENT  CENTER  (but definitely looking forward to it!),  I've had my share of age-related ailments -- enough to realize I'm not as invincible as I used to think as a teen-ager.   I know I'm not alone.   We've all been humbled by physical frailties at one time or another.   It's always a good feeling to know that someone, whether it be a family members or a friend, is nearby to help us through difficult times.

"For seniors, whose family members and friends have passed away and/or moved far away, the TEXAS  MASONIC  RETIREMENT  CENTER provides a comfort zone for safe living.   I know I'd do anything to keep my loved ones safe.   Our residents at the TEXAS  MASONIC  RETIREMENT  CENTER  receive that same level of care."