Residents at The Legacy at Willow Bend Visit The Dallas Museum of Art

Oct. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Assisted living residents of The Legacy at Willow Bend recently visited the Dallas Museum of Art to view the Reves Collection, the “African Headwear: Beyond Fashion” exhibit, the Jewel Stern American Silver Collection, and to dine in the museum’s Atrium Café.  The trip was a significant one for the residents, many of whom were philanthropic donors to the arts in their communities during their younger years.  For some, it was their first opportunity to visit the celebrated DMA.

“Many of our residents have a great appreciation for art, so this was a meaningful outing for all of us,” said Lisa Englander, assisted living lifestyles coordinator for The Legacy at Willow Bend.  “At The Legacy at Willow Bend, we promote and celebrate ‘The Art of Living’ as a way of describing the culture of the community.  Visiting the Dallas Museum of Art was not only a great social opportunity for the residents, but a great mental health exercise as well.  

“Art has a profound effect on the brain. It helps the mind use cognitive skills and activates the creative side of the brain—the thoughts and emotions that cannot be expressed verbally. Because art is subjective, it allows the mind to stay as active as possible,” she continued.  “Art has a calming effect and encourages emotional memory, bringing out familiar feelings and memories that are stored in the brain as images. The Legacy at Willow Bend plans events that will be enjoyable but also beneficial to the quality of life and well-being of our residents.”

The Reves Collection was especially fascinating to members of the group, says Englander.  “The ladies had a very stimulating time discussing the various pieces and learning more about the collection. For many of them, it evoked recollections of their childhood and young adult life.”

The Reves Collection is unique because it is displayed as if the viewers were walking through the villa of Wendy and Emery Reves in southern France. Some of the ladies were especially excited to learn that one dining room table they admired in particular had once served a dinner party that included guests like CoCo Chanel. The Legacy residents also toured the Jewel Stern American Silver Collection and found that it reminded them of the silver they purchased as young brides. The ladies loved discussing their personal silver collections, and sharing stories about past occasions.

This outing was one of many activities enjoyed by residents of The Legacy at Willow Bend, says Englander.  “Our residents have chosen to live in an assisted living community that focuses on ‘living’.  The care they receive is important, but it only occupies a small part of their day.  So we provide experiences such as this that enrich and enhance their daily lives.”

The Legacy at Willow Bend, Plano’s first and only life care retirement community, is situated on a 28-acre site at Spring Creek Parkway between Preston Road and Ohio Drive. The Legacy at Willow Bend offers resort-style services and amenities for active, independent seniors, as well as all levels of health care services on-site. The community features 103 independent living apartment homes, 12 custom independent living villas, 40 assisted living apartment homes, 18 memory support suites, and 60 private skilled healthcare suites.

The Legacy at Willow Bend is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit retirement community owned by parent company, The Legacy Senior Communities, Inc. The Legacy at Willow Bend, the only Jewish-sponsored life care retirement community in Texas, is open to people of all faiths.  For information, call (972) 468-6208, or visit www.thelegacyWB.org.