As many parents and grandparents age and begin to need more assistance, navigating the channels for finding care, guidance and support can be challenging and time consuming. To provide direction, understanding and education for this growing group of people, Mustang Creek Estates of Allen – a residential assisted living and memory care community – will host a series of educational talks called Health Share Fair for Senior Care, which will focus on different aspects of finding senior care. The informational series will be held in the evening hours over four weeks in August. Each event begins at 6:00 p.m. and will end around 8:00 p.m. at Mustang Creek Estates of Allen, located at 710-720 Creek Valley Court in Allen.

“We want those in the area – whether it be seniors themselves or their families – to have the tools they need to navigate the different aspects of preparing for long-term care,” said Angella Horton, executive director of Mustang Creek Estates of Allen. “In addition to this informational series, we are always available to answer questions or provide advice to families making these decisions. We will do our best to connect families with resources to make this process as easy as possible. We are looking forward to hosting these events and providing unique opportunities for families to have one-on-one conversations with these experts. This will be a chance to ask the questions they’ve always wanted answered.”

The events will include a wide variety of area experts in different individual homes in the Mustang Creek Estates of Allen neighborhood:

• On August 4 at 712 Creek Valley Court, Lori Leu, a certified elder law attorney, will discuss long-term planning for seniors and their families. Leu is an attorney at Leu and Peirce Elder Law Attorneys in Plano. Her goal is to educate and empower the community at large about elder law issues and choices for families.

• On August 11 at 716 Creek Valley Court, Dr. Alexander Peralta, a registered pharmacist and physician with a background in palliative care, will discuss the physical and cognitive challenges of aging and provide tips to families and caregivers. Dr. Peralta is President of Palliative Medicine Consulting Services, Chief Medical Officers and Director of Palliative Care Services for Compass Hospice of Dallas. He has authored numerous books on pain management, hospice care and end of life care.

• On August 18at 718 Creek Valley Court, Don Stockard of “Volunteer for Texas Vets”, will discuss with families the benefits available to senior veterans and how they can become eligible to receive financial assistance for long-term care. Stockard has been helping veterans and their families for eight years and is an accredited VA claims agent with extensive experience navigating current issues that veterans face. He provides these services free of charge to veterans and their families.

Casi Sellers, a licensed practical nurse and Home Health Coordinator with Senior Select Home Health, will also advise families on fall prevention and caring for a senior’s overall health. Sellers’ background is in geriatrics and in her current position, she is focused on building relationship and educating seniors and their families about home health services available to them.

• On August 25 at 720 Creek Valley Court, a representative from the Alzheimer’s Association of Dallas will speak about resources available in the community. At the conclusion of the Alzheimer’s Associations talk, Frisco resident Don Zoller, author the book “Alzheimer’s and Dementia…This Ugly Disease: A Caregiver’s Journey Into Pain, Anguish and Hope,” will discuss his personal experience as a caregiver. Zoller’s wife, Beverley, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and moved to Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco to receive round-the-clock memory care support. Signed copies of Zoller’s book will be given to attendees.

In addition to this educational opportunity, Mustang Creek Estates of Allen is also providing a way for attendees and speakers to give back to an Allen non-profit organization at each session. Mustang Creek Estates of Allen has chosen to partner once again with Allen Community Outreach to collect school supplies for their annual “Fill the Bus” donation drive benefitting Allen ISD students in need. Items included in the donation drive are: spiral notebooks, wide-ruled notebook paper, folders with brads and pockets, 1- and 2-inch 3-ring binders, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, pink erasers, glue sticks, highlighters, number two pencils, crayons, tissues, 4x6 index cards, colored construction paper, manila paper, black and blue ink pens, washable and dry erase markers, pencil boxes, scissors, watercolors, back packs, lunch boxes, or gift cards to Wal-Mart, Target or Staples. The public can bring supplies to the events or drop items off at their convenience.

Sponsors for the educational series include: Holy Savior Hospice, Comfort Keepers, Senior Select Home Health and Victoria Gardens of Allen Skilled Nursing Care.