SAN ANGELO, Texas – Leaders of Dallas-based Buckner Retirement Services, Inc. and Baptist Memorials Ministries in San Angelo signed an affiliation agreement today at the Baptist Memorials campus. The affiliation positions the two Texas senior living providers to offer a combined seven senior living communities in Texas, serving an estimated 2,200 elders annually.

Buckner and Baptist Memorials had entered into a letter of intent in May to begin proceedings for an affiliation, which starts Jan. 1. The boards of both organizations met in July and voted to proceed with the affiliation following due diligence investigations by both entities.

Buckner International President and CEO Kenneth L. Hall said the affiliation “will increase everyone’s capacity to provide for senior adults in long-term care as well as provide the two entities gains in operational efficiencies.”

Baptist Memorials President Pat Crump agreed. “This agreement will open up a broader range of services to both Buckner and Baptist Memorials, offering us a wider market and a deeper quality of care for elders.”

“Baptist Memorials was a great fit for us in terms of their commitment to culture change in our senior living communities and their use of progressive methods of care for elders,” said BRS President Pearl Merritt. “Our two organizations have been leaders in new care models like The Green House homes that are paving the way for innovation in senior care.”

Buckner and Baptist Memorials are affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The decision of the two boards was approved in a vote by representatives, or “messengers,” to the BGCT’s November meeting.

Buckner operates five Texas campuses in Austin, Beaumont, Dallas, Longview and Houston, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled care. Baptist Memorials offers a full continuum of care at its San Angelo campus and independent living at the Woodlands in Burnet.

For more information, go to www.bucknerretirement.org or www.bapmem.com.