Buckner Retirement Services is pleased to announce the hiring of Constance Lafuente as wellness director of Parkway Place, a faith-based senior living community in Houston. The 33-year-old former collegiate athlete brings a wealth of knowledge about health and physical fitness education to her new role. She recently served as an exercise specialist and director of group fitness for a personal training company, as well as a certified adjunct professor of kinesiology at Lonestar Community College. In the former role, she educated students about health and wellness. In her new position, Lafuente will oversee programming in the state-of-the art wellness center which provides workout equipment and pools for residents to use, as well as fitness classes and personalized wellness programs. While this is her first job at a senior living community, she’s no stranger to working with seniors.

“Over the last ten years I helped people of all ages, but I found spending time with seniors the most rewarding,” said Lafuente. “My grandmother was a recreational director for a senior living community, and when I visited her the residents inspired me. I developed a sweet spot for that age group. When I taught seniors to swim or participated in personal training sessions with them, I knew I needed to make a full career out of it. It’s rewarding to know you made a positive impact on someone’s life.”

“Constance’s dedication to health and wellness and her ability to understand seniors greatly benefit her in leading our wellness center,” said Susan Phelps, executive director. “She is knowledgeable, and the residents appreciate her help. They genuinely understand the impact she makes, and it’s a blessing to see. She has wonderful ideas to encourage the residents and utilize the wellness center to its full potential. I look forward to seeing what she accomplishes in this new role.”

Lafuente started her role with a survey for residents that outlines their fitness class preferences. She plans to develop new classes quarterly and will add more strength classes. Since falling is a concern for seniors, Lafuente will target muscle groups that help prevent falls. She will also develop an incentive program which includes highlighting the healthiest resident each month.

Lafuente graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise with a concentration in nutrition. She received her Master of Science in Health Education from East Stroudsburg University.