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Resident Spotlight: Juanita Hoskins

By Sarah Sexton | Publish Date October 29, 2020

This month, our Resident Spotlight is on Juanita Hoskins!

Ms. Hoskins is originally from Kansas City, Missouri where she met and married her husband at just 21 years old. Her father was the mail man in his neighborhood and on their first date they went with another couple to the drive in movies. Her husband was a marine before working in the oil industry which moved the Hoskins all over the US including Ohio and Atlanta before moving to Birmingham.

Throughout her life, she has had a lot of fun professions with her favorite probably being her first job when she worked for Trans World Airlines (TWA) before marrying her husband! She also really enjoyed her time working for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in Atlanta in which role she once dined with the President of the University of Alabama!

During her time in Atlanta, she really picked up the hobby of traveling the world! Juanita has been to places like Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ireland, and she even visited her son and daughter-in-law when they lived in Africa! Many of these trips were taken with a church travel group who always did one over seas and one domestic trip with this group.

Juanita has been in Birmingham for 20 years now – close to children and grandchildren. She has 3 children, 7 grand children (with only one of those being a girl), and 1 great granddaughter! After living in a home in Liberty Park, she decided to move to Kirkwood in 2017 and we are so glad she did.

Her first favorite thing about life at Kirkwood is the wonderful employees here with whom she has made relationships like our CEO, Chad Carter and our Marketing Director, Sandi Hall! The second thing that she would say is a favorite about Kirkwood is the Maintenance team. Ms. Hoskins says, “The Maintenance Crew not get enough praise for everything they do around here for us.” She talked about the countless times she has called to have something hung on the wall or fixed in the apartment, or even furniture assembled and they are always quick to serve in any way needed.

Juanita’s favorite pre-covid things participate in at Kirkwood were things like the Be Our Guest and Easter luncheons where she was able to invite friends and family to come and enjoy a meal and spend quality time with one another. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday and her wonderful family threw her a beautiful luncheon at the Birmingham Country Club where she was able to spend sweet time with friends and family over a delicious meal!

We just love Ms. Hoskins and all of the wonderful life and love she brings to the Kirkwood Family! 

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The Residents

Our residents come from different backgrounds and bring their unique qualities, talents, and life experiences to complete the Kirkwood community. Here are just a few reflections from some individuals who call Kirkwood their home.

My time at Kirkwood was spectacular; they taught me how to walk again. The staff was outstanding, and the care was beyond reproach. When I arrived, I had a long way to go. I was very sick. The first night, they had to lift me as I could not move by myself. When I left, they were chasing me down the hallway. They taught me how to perform the activities of daily living again. It was the best care I could have prayed for, and on top of that, the food was spectacular.

Eli Gold Past Resident

I fell in love with the cottage and the view from my back porch. I am excited to have a yard for Ginger, my poodle, to play in and my own garage, all within an established retirement community!

Charlotte Hamilton Current Resident

My husband and I looked at a number of places when deciding to move to a retirement community. For the most part, we found communities that said, ‘We’re going to take care of you.’ But Kirkwood was different. It wasn’t just about taking care of us. It was also about having fun, having friends, and living life to the fullest. The attitude at Kirkwood was positive and the atmosphere was comforting. We simply couldn’t resist. Without a doubt, the location was ideal. The Cahaba Room that overlooks the river, the mountains, the trails – there were just so many things about life. The community was lively. It was alive.

Alice Brooks Current Resident

We realized we were approaching an age where we might need more assistance than what just downsizing could provide. Knowing we have my sons nearby and the levels of care should we need it is comforting, and the beautiful hillside, river, and the woods makes it that much more appealing. We don’t know of any other community that has the woods, the various levels of care, and so many different amenities.

Phyllis and John Guschke Current Residents

We were moving my parents down from the Cleveland area to be near us. I looked at almost every retirement place in the Birmingham area. The second I turned into Kirkwood’s drive and drove up the hill, I knew that I’d found the perfect place for my parents to live in Alabama. In the six years that my parents have been at Kirkwood, I have always felt nothing but love and helpfulness from every staff member. Everyone is always helpful with a pleasant attitude. You can truly see and feel the family atmosphere. I’m happy that my parents can call Kirkwood their home.

Brenda Sheehan Kirkwood family member

When we learned that Cedar Ridge was being developed, that seemed to fit our needs very well. It is the ideal place for the next phase of our retirement.

Carol and Arthur Stephens Current Residents

One thing that we feel is very important here at Kirkwood by the River is the relationship that we have between the staff and the residents. They are dedicated to making our life here as safe and secure and pleasurable as possible. That goes a long way.

Fred Rogers Current Resident

The community's cottage living surrounded by a wooded, natural environment with access to future healthcare services is what attracted us to Kirkwood!

Rick and Jane Ricketts Current Residents