It’s a new year and a new decade! While many are making resolutions, Mustang Creek Estates of Allen, a North Texas senior living community, highlights the importance of   keeping seniors top of mind. Studies show loneliness can take a physical toll on a person. One study found loneliness can double a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s, and another study from the UK found social isolation can also increase the risk of developing heart disease and having a stroke.

But the good news is it doesn’t have to be hard! If distance is the separator, small gestures like mailing cards and making phone calls can help, and 83-year-old Shirley Watkins agrees. She’s lived at Mustang Creek Estates of Allen for the past nine years. While she’s known as a social butterfly, she’s putting in the effort herself. This year, her resolution is to meet more friends and spend more time with the people she loves.

“I’ve always been very involved in my church. For decades, I’ve been a member at Northrich Baptist Church. Recently, my pastor took the time to visit me at Mustang Creek, and it meant the world,” said Watkins. “In 2020, I’m looking forward to spending more time with those I care about.”

Watkins is lucky to have her daughter and son both living nearby in the Greater DFW area. She’s also a proud grandma and great grandma! In addition to her family, Watkins isn’t far from friends. Her best friend Otis lives just a few doors down at Mustang Creek Estates. They’ve been friends and neighbors for the past five years.

Another secret weapon that keeps Watkins so social – Skipper, her 8-year-old Yorkshire Terrier.  Skipper lives with her at Mustang Creek Estates and is very popular among the residents. Watkins said she’s always had dogs and having one at 83 keeps her social and busy.

Pets can be a great source of companionship for seniors. A Mayo Clinic study suggests dogs can be your heart’s best friend. A poll sponsored by AARP and the University of Michigan found that 88 percent of people surveyed between the ages 50 to 80 enjoyed life thanks to their pet. 

“We are blessed to get to interact with seniors every day. The joy they receive through friendships, family and even pets is easy to see,” said Angella Horton, executive director of Mustang Creek Estates of Allen. “A small gesture can often mean so much to the seniors in your life. I challenge everyone  to make checking in with the seniors  – whether that’s your neighbors, family members or friends – a regular habit.”

No matter your age, receiving a handwritten letter is a special thing. While most communication is electronic-based these days, local seniors and students are taking time to get to know one another the old fashioned way. Each resident from Mustang Creek Estates of Allen is paired up with a third-grade student from Boyd Elementary, and the pairs are writing letters back and forth on monthly basis as part of a unique pen pal partnership. Recently, the seniors visited the children to exchange a second round of letters.

The pen pal program is not only an opportunity for the students to learn more about a senior in the area, it also allows them to practice letter writing. In addition, intergenerational activities provide many benefits to the lives of seniors, including improving their physical and mental health. The children also value the connection with the older generation and truly benefit from the relationships with the seniors.

Many people think of their friends as their second family. Some may say that making friends is harder the older we get. However, that is not the case for Shirley Watkins, 82, and Otis Clark, 81. The two met at Mustang Creek Estates of Allen and are now inseparable. They have been best friends since Clark moved to the senior living community three years ago. They eat every meal together, participate in activities, and just relax together. What’s even more important, they encourage one another when one is not having a good day. Their families are thankful for this friendship as well because they have each other to rely on daily when family can’t be present. Studies show that friendships have even more benefits as people get older because they positively impact overall physical and emotional well-being. Watkins’ and Otis’ friendship is a perfect example that it is never too late to find your best friend.

“My daughter knows Otis’ brother from church, and when his family learned that I am happy at Mustang Creek Estates they decided to move him next door to me,” said Watkins. “Ever since then, we hang out every day. He comes with me when I go for a walk with my dog – that’s one of our favorite things to do together. He is always very nice to me, he brings me my coat and helps me put it on, and he is always there to talk to. I am grateful to have a friend like him.”

Watkins is originally from Oklahoma and moved to Texas in 1956. She was married and has two children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Watkins moved to Mustang Creek Estates of Allen eight years ago. She and Clark like to play bingo together or just watch TV. Clark, born and raised in Texas, worked for the Texas Department of Transportation in the highway department. Both Watkins and Clark consider this friendship to be very important.

“I am thankful to have Shirley in my life, and my family is too because they have peace of mind knowing that I have a friend so close to me,” said Clark. “We hang out with other residents too, but I know Shirley is somebody I can depend on no matter what. We want everyone to know that it is never too late to create meaningful friendships, no matter how old you are.”

Studies show that seniors with close friends tend to be more positive and optimistic and are more likely to socialize. Involvement in social activities is essential for older adults, as it has a positive effect on their health and overall quality of life. Mustang Creek Estates of Allen recognizes the physical and mental benefits that socialization and social interaction has on older adults.

“It is heartwarming to watch Shirley and Otis, they truly are like each other’s shadow,” said Angella Horton, executive director of Mustang Creek Estates of Allen. “I just love that they created an instant bond and are inseparable now. They show everyone the true value of friendship at any age.”

Billy Davis, 88, retired fire captain and resident of Mustang Creek Estates of Allen senior living community, spent 30 years protecting the people of Memphis, Tenn. In 1968, he was one of the many brave men who were called to serve and didn’t come home for two weeks because of the riots which broke out after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. This military veteran who served in the Army and Navy and retired from the Memphis Fire Department in early 1980s survived many life-threatening events on daily basis. He was one of the first firefighters trained to work with hazardous material in the 1970s and was involved in two collisions – one involving another fire truck – while responding to a two-alarm fire. Mustang Creek Estates of Allen and Davis’ son Frank Davis recently made his dream come true by coordinating a unique ride-along experience with the Allen Fire Department. Davis was beyond happy to experience the adrenaline again and share stories with the local firefighters.

“When we told my father what we planned for him, he was so excited he started calling all his friends and family to tell them the good news,” said Frank Davis. “He has always been my hero and to see him getting so fired up for something made me extremely happy. We have always been there for each other, and I am so glad I was able to see how excited he was to join the Allen firefighters for a ride.”

Allen firefighters picked up Davis at the senior living community and took him to the local fire station, where they shared their stories and discussed how the times have changed. Davis, who was married for 59 years, moved to Texas seven years ago to be closer to his son. During his 30 years as a firefighter, he saved countless lives and experienced events many people can’t even imagine. During Davis’ time in Memphis, firefighters didn’t have near the same protection as they do today. While he served in the Memphis Fire Department he didn’t wear a shield on his helmet once, and not because he didn’t want to, but because there was nothing like that back then. Davis remembers using masks from World War II when it got real smoky. But for Davis, being a firefighter meant much more than a job; it was his mission. Many of his colleagues were taking second jobs to make extra money, but for Davis, his time off was reserved for camping and spending time with his family.

“It brought us tremendous joy to give Billy something to look forward to and make his dream come true,” said Angella Horton, executive director of Mustang Creek Estates of Allen. “We do our best to provide our residents with unique experiences, and we are thankful for the Allen Fire Department and their willingness to help us make this happen.”

Mustang Creek Estates, whose mission is to provide seniors with high-quality residential-style assisted living and memory care at an affordable price, has additional locations in Burleson, Frisco and Keller. Recently, Mustang Creek Estates announced construction of its newest senior living community in Sachse. The community is now accepting reservations and expects to open in fall of 2017.

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.