In the News
Karen McKenzie in her PEP Room.
McKenzie on the Move
February 18, 2011
Award-winning profile talk show, “Seniors on the Move,” hosted by Senior Fitness Specialist Karen McKenzie, is approaching its 75th episode on Westborough Community Access Television (WCAT). The show, which was recorded on March 8th at 2:00 p.m., includes an interview with McKenzie and short clips highlighting her previous shows and guests.
The 30-minute series, which began airing in January of 2004, was created by McKenzie herself, and was given the name “Seniors on the Move” by a resident of The Willows at Westborough Premier Retirement Community for Active Adults, which is part of SALMON Health and Retirement.
“I wanted to help active adults make educated decisions about their fitness and health,” said McKenzie, “…and to take the fear out of aging.”
McKenzie’s continual mission for the series has been supplying baby-boomers and seniors with expert information on aging, enabling them to make informed decisions as they venture into the later part of their lives. As The Willows’ Personalized Exercise Program (PEP) Director, McKenzie has worked in the fitness and health field for seniors for 35 years and was one of the first individuals to be certified for strength training and senior fitness testing, and programming by the Dallas Geriatric Research Institute.
Since coming to The Willows in 1992, McKenzie has felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that she is making aging a more positive experience for the residents that she works with each day. Looking back at seven successful years as a local TV show host, McKenzie said, “I would like to continue hosting for as long as people want to watch me!”
After gaining popularity and becoming a recognizable face in the community, local health professionals began approaching McKenzie to be featured on her show and to share their insights. “Sometimes the guests come to me now!” she said, smiling.
“I keep a list of all the guests I’ve hosted on my show. I would love to welcome new speakers and local bests back onto the show in the near future,” Mckenzie added.
McKenzie holds a BS in Health Science as well as a Certificate in Gerontology and is the founder of Senior Fitness Consultants, a comprehensive service that offers fitness, education and motivation for aging adults.
“Seniors on the Move” can be viewed on WCAT, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:00 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Through The Willows Premier Retirement Communities for Active Adults, Whitney Place Assisted Living Residences, Whitney Place Adult Day Health Centers, Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Centers and SALMON Centers for Early Education, located in Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Westborough and Worcester, SALMON Health and Retirement, founded in 1952, offers a full spectrum of services designed to maintain the highest possible quality of life for those they serve. To learn more, call Toll-Free in Massachusetts 1-800-446-8060, or visit www.SalmonHealthAndRetirement.com.
Worcester Business Journal’s
Family Business Award for 2010 goes to SALMON Health and Retirement
Cyprian Keyes Golf Club in Boylston, MA, was the venue on June 23, 2010, for Worcester Business Journal’s annual Central Mass. Family Business Awards. SALMON Health and Retirement was an award recipient in the category of family businesses with 250 or more employees.
Worcester Business Journal’s Editor Christina Davis comments: “With today’s headlines filled with news of corporate missteps and fat-cat bonuses, it’s refreshing to hear stories like those of the family businesses we’ve selected to honor. There are no multi-million dollar bonuses for these folks. Instead, there’s a tremendous amount of hard work, perseverance and commitment. There are also a host of tough calls, difficult decisions and sleepless nights. But read any one of [their company] profiles and you’ll understand that for these firms, the rewards always outweigh the demands.”
Event sponsors presenting awards hailed from Bank of America, Clark University Graduate School of Management, and Mirick O’Connell Attorneys at Law. Worcester radio stations providing media support were WTAG and WSRS.
Accepting the award on behalf of her family, SALMON’s Director of Marketing Communications Kate Salmon-Robinson acknowledged a debt to their staff and founders.
“Over the decades, we’ve been able to attract a talented and devoted team willing and able to help fulfill our mission. They regularly join us because friends, relatives or staff members have talked about us with enthusiasm, or when a family member has been cared for by the company. Our success is based on a total team effort…
“…We are grateful to the Worcester Business Journal for this award and for placing us among such good company.
“It humbles and motivates us as we strive to honor our parents’ and grandparents’ examples in everything we do as a family caring for other families. Thank you.”
SALMON Health and Retirement’s most recent venture includes The Willows at Worcester, a retirement community geared to those 55 and older, located at 101 Barry Road, which opened in September 2009.
SALMON Health and Retirement was established in 1952, and has grown to encompass six campuses in Central Massachusetts. Visit www.SalmonHealthAndRetirement.com.
Area Seniors Help Deliver Turkeys to Community
Worcester, MA November 20, 2009_As the holiday season approaches, Worcester residents Manny Misiph and Judith Stoddard find their calendars quickly filling up with annual social outings, dinners, and lively gatherings among friends and family. But this year they and eight of their neighbors at The Willows at Worcester, SALMON Health and Retirement’s new continuing care retirement community, are adding another tradition to their bustling schedules ─ one that might possibly bring the most holiday cheer.
SALMON Health and Retirement has added a new twist to their annual turkey donation, which donates more than $36,000 in frozen turkeys to their staff and area hunger relief organizations, by inviting residents to help them deliver turkeys to the surrounding community this holiday season. The residents will distribute the turkeys on Friday, November 20, to All Saints Church, Centro Las Americas, First Baptist Church, Friendly House, Hector Reyes House and Wesley Methodist Church. These stops will be in addition to those made at Rachel’s Table and the Worcester City Food Bank.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to give back to our local community, especially in today’s tough economy,” says Misiph. “I can’t think of a more rewarding activity to add to my holiday schedule!"
More than 20 years ago, SALMON Health and Retirement began this tradition as a way to express gratitude for its team members, by giving each staff member a frozen turkey during the holidays to enjoy with their family or donate to a local organization for another family to enjoy. Since then, nearly 5,000 turkeys have been donated to area organizations serving those in need.
“It’s wonderful to see our residents get into the holiday spirit and partner with us to help area people," said Andrew Freilich, Executive Director for The Willows at Worcester. "I hope this is a tradition we can continue here for many years to come."
Stoddard is looking forward to helping with the delivery. “This is so gratifying; there’s the opportunity to do good in a tangible way, and enjoy the company of new friends while doing it."
The Willows, located on a 21-acre campus at 101 Barry Road, near Salisbury Street, offers 191 private independent living apartment homes and cottages, with a variety of customization choices so residents’ homes can reflect their personal style and taste. More information about The Willows at Worcester is available by calling (508) 755-0088 or visiting www.TheWillowsAtWorcester.com.