Community Eldercare Services Sends Near-Centenarian on First Airplane Ride at 99.

Business Editors

FULTON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2000

Ethel Cayson was born before the advent of air conditioning, automobiles or the atom bomb, lived through the Great Depression, both World Wars and desegregation. She was a young adult during the heyday of Al Capone, Babe Ruth, and Bonnie and Clyde. Five states were admitted to the nation after her birth and, when she was only two years old, the Wright brothers made their first flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

In her lifetime, Cayson has seen many trends come and go, benefited from vast discoveries in technology and medicine, and produced a large, loving family in 45 years of marriage. Looking back, the near-centenarian has few regrets, but she does have one unfulfilled desire.

"I've had a good life, and I've done a lot of things. I just never got to ride in an airplane," said Cayson, in a recent interview with her local newspaper following her 99th birthday. "But I would if I got the chance!"

And on Nov. 8, Cayson will get her chance.

When the article ran in Cayson's local paper, many people were touched by the story of her life. Among the readers was the president of the company that manages Courtyards Community Living Center, the nursing home in which Cayson resides.

"I want her to have the opportunity to take that airplane ride," says Douglas M. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of Community Eldercare Services (CES) (www.communityeldercare.com) --the Tupelo, Miss.-based senior living management company. "For a company that is dedicated to addressing the wants and needs of senior adults, I believe that this is a perfect opportunity to lead by example."

Accompanied by a registered nurse, Cayson will fly from Tupelo to Nashville, Tenn., on CES' corporate airplane. She chose to visit her grandson, whom she has not seen for two years, and her son-in-law, whom she last saw five years ago.

"After she takes this flight, I hope that Mrs. Cayson will be able to come up with something even more adventurous for her 100th birthday," Wright says.

Located in Fulton, Miss., Courtyards Community Living Center is a 66-resident nursing home that formerly served as the Itawamba County Hospital. The building was completely renovated and converted to a nursing and rehabilitation residence in 1995. Residents enjoy convenient access to an in-house beauty and barber shop, enclosed courtyard garden area, a walking/running track, comfortable indoor and outdoor community spaces and many other amenities and services. Courtyards Community Living Center has been operated by Community Eldercare Services since August 1995.

Community Eldercare Services owns and operates skilled nursing and long-term care centers, sub-acute rehabilitation facilities, and assisted living and retirement communities. CES' senior living properties offer skilled nursing, long-term care, assisted living, occupational rehabilitation, physical rehabilitation and speech rehabilitation services. CES serves communities in California, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

      Editor's/Assignment Manager's Notes:

Schedule for Tupelo to Nashville flight:
November 8, 2000

Take off:         Field--Tupelo Regional Airport (TUP)
                  FBO--Tupelo Aero
                  Tupelo, Miss.
                  8:45 a.m.

Arrival:          Field--Nashville International Airport (BNA)
                  FBO--Mercury Air Center
                  Nashville, Tenn.
                  10 a.m.

Schedule for Nashville to Tupelo flight:
November 8, 2000

Take off:         Field--Nashville International Airport (BNA)
                  FBO--Mercury Air Center
                  Nashville, Tenn.
                  1 p.m.

Arrival:          Field--Tupelo Regional Airport (TUP)
                  FBO--Tupelo Aero
                  Tupelo, Miss.
                  2:20 p.m.