The Glen at Hiland Meadows on Friday, January 19, held a reception to honor residents Francis & Lois Schafer who generously made a $100,000 gift to The Glen’s Memory Care Center. In recognition of the large gift, The Glen named a new financial assistance scholarship after the couple – The Francis & Lois Schafer Memory Care Center Scholarship – to help residents with limited resources remain at the Memory Care Center. However, in a delightful turn of events, the couple surprised the crowd announcing an additional $100,000 gift to benefit the center which provides specialized care individual to the needs of each resident.
Residents and supporters of the Glens Falls area community for nearly four decades, the Schafers are well-known locally for having brought minor league baseball to town and formerly co-owned a Double-A Eastern League franchise. The couple made The Glen at Hiland Meadows their home in 2015.
“As long-time community members, we know firsthand the significant need for a memory care facility in our region,” said Frank. “We have seen the effect memory loss can have on family members and friends. It is very personal for us.” Wife Lois added, “With no known cure, memory loss progressively robs an individual of their memory and thinking skills.”
“We want to do our part,” Frank continued. “It takes our entire community to be able to provide a life of quality for individuals and their families impacted by memory loss. It’s about helping generations of individuals living, working, and raising children. As they say, ‘it takes the whole team.’”
“Frank and Lois Schafer are true leaders in the community and they are just incredible people,” said Andrea Hebert, vice president of Eddy Senior Living and executive director of The Glen. “When The Glen held its Capital Campaign to build a new state-of-the-art Memory Care Center, they donated generously to help make that a reality. They said they felt a personal obligation. And when the center opened in 2022, they decided they wanted to help even more with a $100,000 gift to the center. Then tonight, with their surprise announcement, it just goes to show what magnanimous people they really are and what big hearts they have. Frank and Lois, I cannot thank you enough for your commitment and drive in helping ensure that care is available to those afflicted with memory issues. We are ever grateful. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you. You are both simply amazing!”
The Memory Care Center serves as a specialized residence with 30 suites designed for individuals with early to mid-stage dementia or other memory impairment. The free-standing facility also serves as a resource center for the area and community-at-large who are in need of memory care services. The center provides a supportive environment and culture of care that enhances the quality of life for those with cognitive impairment. All staff at the Memory Care Center at The Glen receives specialized dementia training.
The Glen is sponsored by two of the region’s most trusted names in senior care and services — The Conkling Center (formerly The Glens Falls Home) and The Eddy, a member of St. Peter’s Health Partners.
Eddy Senior Living comprises of Independent and Enriched Housing/Assisted Living communities serving six locations throughout Upstate New York in Troy, Cohoes, Slingerlands, Niskayuna, Queensbury and East Greenbush. The Eddy began in 1928 as a 19-bed nursing home and has grown into a comprehensive continuum of healthcare, supportive housing, and community services that reaches 22 counties and serves more than 40,000 individuals yearly. The Eddy is a member of St. Peter’s Health Partners.
Incorporated in 1898, The Conkling Center provided residential services for aging women with a home for aged women in the City of Glens Falls. Today, The Conkling Center offers senior directed programs and services for community members 55+, including the On-The-Go Transportation Program, Ice Melt Program, and a variety of Community Awareness, Health and Safety, Legal, Educational and Inter-Generational programs.
