Category: News

The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) stepped up to the plate and brought the ballpark experience to Plano by hosting a community-wide tailgate with residents, their guests and OAW teammates in the line up to kick off opening day for Major League Baseball!

The community’s outdoor space was set up with classic tailgate-style games for all to enjoy including cornhole, horseshoes, giant Jenga, a baseball toss challenge and oversized Connect Four. This provided guests with plenty of options for friendly competition and a few home runs. Adding to the fun, DJ Tom the Music Man kept the atmosphere upbeat with music that had attendees on their feet, rooting for the home team and dancing from the first to last inning.

The menu knocked it out of the park with ballpark favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, chicken fingers, bratwurst, a nacho bar loaded with toppings as well as popcorn, peanuts and Cracker Jack. Cherry and blue raspberry slushes were a crowd favorite and the perfect way to cool off too.

The real highlight of the afternoon was the time spent in community, enjoying a fun tailgate experience without ever leaving home.

By Amee McGough

Each month, residents of The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) look forward to a special visit from furry friends with wagging tails through Love on a Leash. This nonprofit organization provides opportunities for volunteer teams to engage in pet therapy. Typically, three or four volunteer handlers and their therapy dogs spend time with OAW Assisted Living and Memory Support residents, offering moments of happiness and comfort.

During each visit to the Plano senior living community, the therapy dogs make their way from resident to resident as they gather in the living room, giving and receiving love through playful interactions. Many of the same dogs return to OAW each month, helping build a sense of familiarity that residents appreciate.

Therapy Pets are different from Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals because they are personal pets who work with their owner to provide stress relief to others. To become certified by Love on a Leash, each pet therapy team must pass a control evaluation and complete a minimum of 10 supervised, one-hour visits.

For program participants, these visits offer more than just a fun activity. OAW teammates have reported that residents become more alert and responsive as soon as the therapy dogs arrive.

“One of the most common things I notice after these visits is residents reminiscing together about the dogs they had growing up. While some may feel a bit sad thinking about those memories, what really stands out are the smiles and laughter,” shared Hannah McKnight, OAW Assisted Living Community Life Coordinator.

A resident’s love for dogs is evident by the way they light up when they see them, and it is a great reminder of how much joy these visits bring. Pet therapy has long been known to support emotional well-being, particularly for those living with dementia, and these visits are a simple way to bring comfort and happiness into daily community life. In many cases, just one visit from a therapy dog can completely brighten someone’s day.

By Amee McGough

LeadingAge Texas hosted Senator Angela Paxton at The Outlook at Windhaven to present her with the Aging Services Legislative Champion Award. The recognition highlights her leadership in improving guidelines that protect property tax exemptions for charitable organizations providing housing and related services to older adults.

These exemptions support non-profit senior living communities across the state. Without them, funds that would support resident services, healthcare and community programs could be redirected to property tax requirements. Senator Paxton’s efforts help safeguard the long-term stability of mission-driven communities, especially as the senior population in Texas continues to grow.

Forefront Living is grateful for leaders who recognize the key role aging services organizations play in supporting families and helping seniors age with independence and security.

By Amee McGough

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions women have made around the world.  

To help celebrate legendary women, three residents from The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) put their knowledge of women’s history to the test in a fun and friendly trivia challenge! Watch this dynamic trio face off as they race to answer the most questions correctly for a grand prize.  

Do you think you know women’s history? Play along to see if you can beat the OAW contestants!  

By Sarah Macias

The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) hosted a gallery-style afternoon featuring the work of local Plano artist, Kelly Steller Hrad. Her colorful, abstract oil paintings were displayed throughout The Hall as a pianist played familiar tunes and guests enjoyed savory snacks and drinks. The elevated setting invited attendees to walk through the exhibit, talk with the artist and take a closer look at the texture in her work.  

Kelly’s connection to the OAW community came through resident and arts patron, Bob Drotman, and Suzy Jones, Executive Director of the ArtCentre of Plano. Suzy is a familiar face around the campus as she also gives art lectures at OAW often on Sunday afternoons. Kelly’s artistic journey began at the ArtCentre of Plano, where she first exhibited her work, making this opportunity to share her paintings at the Plano senior living community especially significant. 

Kelly’s work is part of the Reflectionist movement, featuring textured, palette-knife oil paintings layered with color and movement.

“When someone stands in front of one of my pieces, I don’t expect them to see exactly what I saw when I created it. In fact, I hope they discover something of their own within it – a place they remember, a feeling that returns or a story that rises quietly to the surface. My hope is that the paintings open a small doorway to those moments, while the written stories beside each piece offer a glimpse into the experiences that inspired them. It’s a privilege to share that experience with a community whose residents have lived such rich and meaningful lives,” shared Kelly.  

Kelly’s art will remain on display at OAW throughout March, with several pieces available for purchase. The OAW Community Life team looks forward to hosting more gallery events showcasing local artists throughout the year.  

By Amee McGough

On March 11, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) the Therapy Department celebrated its one-year anniversary. What began with blueprints and hard hats during the community’s construction has grown into a busy area where residents come to regain strength and improve mobility. OAW resident Sue Wentworth was the very first patient and since then, the therapy gym has become a space for rehabilitation as well as encouragement. Over the past year, the team’s commitment to serving residents and the community with care and professional expertise has remained central to their work.

The department’s strength comes from a team with years of service and experience across Forefront Living’s senior living communities:
 
·       Tracy Bardfield, Physical Therapy Assistant/ Rehab Manager – 9 years

·       Laura Benoy-Zuttre, Physical Therapist – 9 years

·       Lashae Benton, Administrative Assistant – 1 year

·       Estee Cahani, Director of Rehabilitation – 11 years

·       Sarah Chu, Speech-Language Pathologist – recently joined

·       Anna Ho, Occupational Therapist – 10 years

·       Donna Son, Physical Therapist Assistant – 5 years

“Many of OAW’s Therapy teammates began their careers at Presbyterian Village North (PVN), our sister community, and developed a true appreciation for the Forefront Living mission, to make each moment matter for those we serve. They knew this new Plano community would reflect the things they already loved about the organization including strong coworkers, meaningful work and residents with incredible life stories to share. These teammates stepped up and worked through all the challenges that came with opening a new community. Without them, it would have been a completely different journey,” shared Estee Cahani, Director of Rehabilitation.

With a full year behind them and more than 100 residents served, the OAW Therapy team looks forward to continuing to support residents so they can stay active, independent and thriving in daily life.

By Amee McGough

On a recent afternoon, a group of residents from The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) settled in for an unforgettable journey beneath the big top without ever leaving North Texas.

About 14 residents traveled approximately five miles from home to take in Cosm Dallas, an immersive entertainment venue that blends cutting-edge technology with storytelling. Cosm’s massive shared reality dome surrounds audiences with a wraparound screen and spatial audio, creating the feeling of being inside the performance rather than simply watching it.

That immersive setting made the afternoon’s feature, Mystère by Cirque du Soleil, even more magical.

Originally created for the Las Vegas stage, Mystère is one of Cirque du Soleil’s most celebrated productions, known for its acrobatics and characters who seamlessly blend athleticism and artistry. Performers soar through the air, tumble across the stage and weave moments of humor and wonder into a spectacle that celebrates the mystery of life.

Inside the dome at Cosm, residents watched the gravity-defying feats unfold all around them. Gasps and applause filled the space as the performers flipped, balanced and flew across the panoramic screen.

For many, it felt less like watching a show and more like being immersed in the circus’s magic. As residents returned OAW, they carried with them stories of an afternoon filled with awe and delight.

by Wendy Van Bemmel

Food quality starts with peak freshness. At Forefront Living, this begins with partners like Hardie’s Fresh Foods, a Texas-based family company committed to sourcing produce at its very best. Check out The Outlook at Windhaven’s Chef Roberto Riera behind the scenes in the OAW kitchen.

Forefront Living (FL) is proud to continue partnering with Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep and recently welcomed two students to The Outlook at Windhaven. Each week, 9th grade student, Jose Abrego, and 11th grade student, Miguel Mojica, join the OAW team on Monday and Wednesday as part of the Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Program.

Miguel works in Human Resources (HR) every Monday, where he assists with auditing and organizing HR documents for compliance. He also helped set up OAW’s teammate celebration for National Pizza Day.

“I really look forward to spending Mondays with Miguel, as he is a real pleasure to work with,” shared Michael Anto, OAW’s HR Manager. “He has been great at following directions and asking thoughtful questions.”

Jose works at OAW on Wednesday and rotates between a few departments. He supports the Business Office and assists the Resident Services desk as well as Administrative Office. He organizes files and helps with day-to-day tasks. In the coming months, Jose will take on projects in Assisted Living.

“Jose picks up new processes fairly quickly and is willing to help wherever he’s needed,” said Julie Lebid, Business Office Manager. “His support makes it easier for us to stay organized and keep things running smoothly.”

This innovative, hands-on experience provides Cristo Rey students with valuable professional skills while serving seniors with excellence. It’s a beneficial, intergenerational partnership and OAW is excited to be part of the journey.

By Amee McGough

Laissez les bons temps rouler! Residents across The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) celebrated Mardi Gras by bringing New Orleans to the community. In Independent Living, everyone gathered in The Hall to enjoy a festive dinner featuring Cajun-inspired dishes and King Cake. The Night Town Band played classic, upbeat jazz favorites that kept residents dancing for a Big Easy-style evening with friends and neighbors. Residents even joined in for a lively second line! Over in Assisted Living, festive decor, jazzy tunes and delicious treats made for a celebration that felt just as lively. Everyone enjoyed good food and music and great company.

By Amee McGough