July has been a fun and lively month for residents in Assisted Living (AL) at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW). From special celebrations to creative activities and time spent together, there’s been no shortage of meaningful moments. Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights.
DrumFit Fridays Each Friday, OAW AL residents are invited to join DrumFit Fridays, an energizing, low-impact workout that combines upbeat music with easy-to-follow drumming routines. Whether seated or standing, participants feel the rhythm as they tap, drum and move in ways that boost coordination, memory and overall well-being. It’s a fun and social way to stay active and start the weekend on a positive note.
Totally 80s Sip and Swirl Celebration To celebrate reaching 80% occupancy, The Outlook at Windhaven hosted a “totally cool” 80s-themed Sip and Swirl Happy Hour! With tasty bites and drinks, it was a “rad” throwback afternoon.
Crockpot Creations Each week, residents explore creative recipes made right in the crockpot! They join in to prepare, mix and taste-test flavorful drinks and dishes while sharing memories and kitchen tips. This activity is a great way to socialize, enjoy comforting aromas and discover new slow-cooker favorites.
Tea Time Each month, the ladies of Assisted Living enjoy a charming afternoon of hot tea and refreshments for the Ladies Tea. It’s an elegant tradition with pretty table settings and a chance to sip and savor with pinkies up.
Creative Expressions Each week, AL residents enjoy a variety of projects in the Creative Expressions craft class. From painting to seasonal crafts, getting creative is always a great way to spend the afternoon.
At The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), July was packed with fun-filled events and outings for Independent Living (IL) residents. From exciting trips around town to engaging events right on campus, there was no shortage of opportunities to connect and enjoy the summer season. Here’s a look at some of the memorable moments that made this month extra special.
Visit to Envision Dallas OAW residents toured Envision Dallas, a nonprofit serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired. They learned about the organization’s mission to improve quality of life through education, employment, outreach and advocacy.
Totally 80s Sip and Swirl Celebration To celebrate reaching 80% occupancy, The Outlook at Windhaven hosted a totally cool 80s-themed Sip and Swirl Happy Hour! Residents showed up in neon outfits, teased hair and leg warmers for the rad celebration.
Crafting Community From pom-pom fish to oil and Q-tip painting, creativity is always flowing at OAW! Residents enjoy hands-on weekly crafting projects and the opportunity to try something new.
Petal to the Metal OAW residents got creative with beautiful blooms during a hands-on workshop with Fiore X 7 Flower Bar. Guided by a professional floral designer, each participant learned the basics of flower arranging and created a beautiful arrangement to take home.
Stars, Stripes and Smiles The OAW community was bursting with red, white and blue patriotic pride as residents gathered for an afternoon of delicious food, great neighbors and fun at the Independence Day Bash!
Each month, residents at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) have an opportunity to participate in an open dialogue with leadership at the Resident Town Hall Meeting. These meetings typically include an update from OAW leadership and provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions and discuss a wide variety of topics in a more formal community-wide setting.
It was a full house for July’s Resident Town Hall where residents gathered in The Hall to hear the latest community updates. OAW Executive Director, Kristen Jordan, kicked things off with a look at what’s happening across the community. From there, teammates shared department updates, including:
Marketing discussed current waitlists and reminded attendees of the resident referral program incentives.
Community life highlighted upcoming events and announced a save the date for White Linen Night on August 21, which will feature a live jazz band.
Spiritual life, culinary and building services were also represented and culinary reminded residents to sign up for behind-the-scenes kitchen tours.
Additionally, two OAW teammates were honored as July’s Moment Maker award (Forefront Living’s official method of teammate recognition for outstanding service) recipients: Courtney Lammons in Community Life and Sylvia McCleary in Wellness.
OAW Resident Council President, Dick Agin, closed the meeting by sharing more information about the Resident Council and introducing members of the various resident committees before turning it back to Kristen who opened the floor for questions.
Kristen shared, “It’s always encouraging to see such impressive turnout at our Town Hall meetings. It reflects just how much our residents value staying informed and being active participants in shaping our community’s future.”
Forefront Living (FL) leadership will present at the next OAW Resident Town Hall on Thursday, August 21, at 1:30 p.m. FL’s quarterly updates offer residents a broader view of the organization and its direction.
At The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), wellness is an important part of daily community life. From workouts in the state-of-the-art fitness center and group classes in the wellness studio, to swimming in the indoor, heated pool and personalized support in the therapy gym, there’s something for everyone!
The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) proudly launched the Outlook of Hope support group, created for caregivers, families and residents in the DFW area navigating the challenges of dementia. The group held its first meeting on Thursday, July 10, in the Assisted Living/Memory Support building of the OAW community.
Facilitated by Wendy Thomas, OAW’s Assisted Living Advisor, and Yashica Washington, Director of Assisted Living, and the inaugural meeting served as an introduction to anyone seeking a welcoming and compassionate space for sharing experiences.
Wendy shared, “The group’s name, Outlook of Hope, refers to a mindset grounded in the possibility of positive outcomes even in challenging circumstances.”
What to expect from Outlook of Hope:
Empathy – A listening ear without judgment. Being heard can be healing.
Honesty – Real stories, real struggles, real support. Every journey is valid.
Flexibility – Come as you are, share at your own pace.
Community – You are not alone.
Confidentiality – All conversations are held with respect and privacy.
Outlook of Hope is an open invitation to anyone in the Plano/DFW area, of any age, seeking support and encouragement while facing the challenges of caring for loved ones with dementia. The next support meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 14, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at OAW. To attend, please contact Wendy Thomas at (469) 990-4929. Click here to view the August support group invitation.
This summer, Brooke Gray is serving as the Sales and Marketing Intern at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW). She will begin her senior year this fall at the University of Arkansas, where she is majoring in marketing with a minor in supply chain management. On campus, Brooke is involved in Kappa Delta sorority, SALES Club, WISE (Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence), and Community Against Cancer. At OAW, Brooke supports the Sales and Marketing team with daily operations, assists with closing and move-in processes and supports the business office. We caught up with this busy intern for a fun Q&A to learn more about her. Read about Brooke below.
What are you passionate about regarding your role? I’m passionate about building genuine connections with people and using creativity to solve problems. I love working in environments where I can make a positive impact through marketing, communication and teamwork.
What has surprised you about working at a senior living community? Something that surprised me was how quickly I built relationships with residents and teammates. I didn’t expect to feel connected so quickly, but it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of this internship experience.
What is something that makes you feel proud? I was a competitive and school cheerleader for twelve years and I coached cheerleading for two years. I’m proud of staying committed to cheer even after tearing my shoulder during my final season. The same week I became injured, my group of third grade cheer students, who had no idea I was hurt, surprised me with cards saying I was their favorite coach and shared how much they looked up to me. That small moment reminded me how much it matters to show up for others.
On the weekend: You can find me spending time with my family and friends, going out to dinner, on lake trips, relaxing with my dogs or spending too much time on TikTok.
What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants? Hammontree’s is one of my favorite restaurants in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It has the best grilled cheese sandwich, and my boyfriend and I love going there for lunch. My other favorite foods are any kind of pasta, Tex Mex, chicken and waffles and chicken salad.
Tell us about your hobbies: I love going to concerts! I have three more shows lined up to attend this year and can’t wait. I also enjoy spending time in the kitchen, especially around the holidays, baking homemade pies and treating friends to my favorite cookie brownie sundaes. When the weather’s warm, I enjoy heading to the lake for surfing and wakeboarding. But my absolute favorite activity is my family’s annual winter snow ski trip.
Share about your family: I have three older siblings, a twin sister, two nieces and a nephew. My twin sister is in nursing school at Abilene Christian University, but we are all spread across different states (Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas). We have two dogs, Lady (an 18-year-old Dachshund) and Brody (a 13-year-old Havanese), who both love to cuddle on the couch or beg in the kitchen for food they’re not supposed to eat.
How would your friends describe you in three words? When I asked my friends, they described me as understanding, selfless and outgoing. I try my best to see things from others’ points of view and to be there for the people I love when things get hard.
What do you hope to be doing five years from now – personally or professionally? Professionally, I see myself working in Texas, in the hospitality or rental industry, and using my marketing background to create memorable customer experiences. Personally, I hope to be close to my family and friends, with opportunities to travel often and hope to continue learning and growing in new ways.
The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) is pleased to announce the newly elected members of the Resident Council, a group of residents who will serve as the voice of OAW’s Independent Living (IL) community.
The purpose of the Resident Council is to:
Represent the interests of OAW’s IL residents
Foster community spirit and enhance residents’ quality of life
Serve as a liaison between residents and OAW management
Provide input to staff for social, cultural, wellness and educational activities
Address concerns related to the well-being, safety and rights of residents
Administer the annual Teammate Appreciation Fund
These residents stepped forward to serve and advocate on behalf of their neighbors, and we are grateful for their leadership and commitment:
The Longest Day, also known as the summer solstice, is the day with the most light and a day when the Alzheimer’s Association asks communities and organizations across the country to bring light to the darkness of Alzheimer’s by raising awareness and funds for care, support and research.
On June 20, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) took part in The Longest Day by pedaling for a cause. The OAW team set up stationary bikes and invited residents to ride in 15-minute intervals to honor the cause. Though it became a smaller version of the originally planned Bike-a-Thon, the event went on with a handful of enthusiastic residents who were eager to pedal for purpose.
OAW is proud to have raised $1,200 during National Senior Health and Fitness Day to support the Alzheimer’s Association and their important mission. Together, we’ll shine brightly and beat the darkness of Alzheimer’s! Click here to learn how you can join the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
Kristy (Kris) Ross is a Resident Services Specialist for The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), a role she began in August of 2024. She serves as the welcoming face and central hub of communication for the community, creating an inviting experience for everyone who walks through the doors. We caught up with Kris for a fun Q and A to learn more about her. Read about her below.
What are you passionate about regarding your professional role? Professionally, being of service to our residents is my top priority. I want them to know I am here to help with anything they need, whether it’s bringing a heavy box up to their apartment, locating lost keys or offering support during an emergency. I take great pride in making sure our residents feel cared for, seen and heard. The Resident Services team help by managing residents’ requests, responding to concerns with care and promptness and assisting with keeping the OAW community running smoothly.
Favorite memory/moment to date during your time at the OAW: One of my favorite memories is when a resident came to the front desk thinking she accidentally tossed her phone down the trash chute. Together, we walked to the trash compactor, opened the hatch and saw her phone sitting pretty on top of a box. With safety in mind and some teamwork, we were able to retrieve her phone! I’ll never forget that day – it was hilarious!
What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities? Without a doubt, the care we provide is unparalleled. Having worked at other senior living communities, I can confidently say that OAW excels at prioritizing residents’ needs and valuing their input to enhance their experience.
What is something that makes you feel proud? I am most proud of my strength and perseverance. My life journey has not been a smooth path, but I’m proud of my determination to keep moving forward and becoming the best version of myself, without letting roadblocks prevent me from achieving my goals.
On the weekend: You can find me sleeping! After a busy work week, my weekends are dedicated to catching up on my beauty rest. Besides sleeping, you will find me cleaning and organizing my apartment, watching a good movie at IPIC Theatre, spending time with my family and volunteering. I enjoy volunteering at pet shelters to assist with cleaning, feeding and socializing with the animals, especially with dogs dealing with extensive trauma. I want to show them so much love and care because I understand what it feels like to be disregarded.
What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants? I love chicken so much, it’s ridiculous! By far, my favorite spot to pick up chicken is Cowboy Chicken. I also love Soul Food and a hot breakfast plate with pancakes, scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, cheesy grits and fruit on the side.
Favorite dish(es) to cook or order: My favorite dishes to order are the pecan waffles from Waffle House, chicken alfredo from Olive Garden, Chick-Fil-A’s mac and cheese and the Crossroads taco from Torchy’s Tacos.
Tell us about your hobbies: I love writing. At twelve years old, I started writing poetry after watching my all-time favorite movie, Poetic Justice. That movie inspired me and challenged my creativity in such a positive way. Now, I’m working on my first children’s book, and it’s going to be magical and amazing!
Share about your family: I am the second of three children. My older brother Derek, who is my best friend, lives in Tacoma, Washington, with my beautiful niece/science enthusiast Naomi and prayerful mom, Thalia. Kamil, my extroverted and wise younger sister, resides in Lewisville, so we spend a lot of time together. She is always giving me advice as if she is the older sister. My dad, who enjoys acting as my therapist, lawyer and financial advisor, is enjoying his retirement in Waco, where he takes care of his “baby girl,” a poodle named Bella.
How would your friends describe you? My friends would say that I am the glue holding everyone together, especially during tough times and disagreements. I am the one who makes sure we face difficult conversations head-on so that we can get back to what matters the most.
