Life at Highland Springs is a Family Affair

Mark and Linda Harrison were living just a mile away when shovels first struck the ground for the construction of Highland Springs, an Erickson Senior Living community in North Dallas, Tex. 

The Harrisons, who moved from San Antonio, Tex. to North Dallas in 1995, were in the perfect location to watch the campus grow. Years later, the couple looks back on how much has changed over the years. 

“I actually watched this place being built, when there were no buildings,” Linda says.

A few years after its completion, Mark and Linda began considering Highland Springs for Linda’s mother Anna, who lived about three hours away in Salado, Tex. 

“We were trying to get her to move up here, where it would be a whole lot easier for us to assist her,” Mark recalls.

The perfect fit

After conducting research on other retirement communities in the area, the Harrisons decided Highland Springs was the perfect fit—especially given the 24/7 security and health care options.

Anna moved into a two-bedroom apartment home with a covered patio in 2009. She quickly adapted to Highland Springs’ maintenance-free, vibrant lifestyle and got involved with resident-run clubs.

Sam Davidson, a resident active in the Highland Springs woodshop, learned that Anna was a seamstress. He recruited her to make dolls for the toy cradles the woodshop was planning on creating for children in need.

“We have a wonderful workshop here!” exclaims Anna. “The first year, we made 50 of them. They were beautiful.” With her group of doll-makers, Anna ran the project for ten years, only stepping down recently. She still helps the cause, which turns out 200 cradle-and-doll sets a year.

Anna stays fit by walking the community, rain or shine, through its connected interior corridors and climate-controlled walkways. And she loves her Bible study class—the “best” she’s ever attended—led by Highland Springs resident Ross West.

Comfortable and secure

Meanwhile, Mark and Linda got familiar with Highland Springs, meeting Anna for meals and programs. They witnessed the benefits of moving in early—taking advantage of all the amenities and having more time to live a fuller, richer life in retirement. Soon enough, Mark and Linda decided Highland Springs was the right fit for them, too.

“[Anna] has been here 12 years, and we’ve seen the advantages—it’s made her life a lot more comfortable and secure,” Linda says. “And I knew it would for us, too.”

Mark and Linda are glad they moved in sooner than later. It’s better to “make the move when you can control it,” Mark says.

Terese Mugno, Highland Springs sales counselor, said it is not unusual that new residents choose to move to the community after visiting family or friends. 

“Oftentimes, prospective residents join family members or friends here for meals, events, a walk, or even a game of bocce ball,” says Mugno, whose mother is also a resident at Highland Springs. “They become comfortable here, meet new people, and realize that the community’s offerings fit their needs.”

When just the right apartment home became available, the Harrisons grabbed it. It’s just down the hall from Anna. 

“One hundred and forty-two steps!” says Anna. 

Like Anna, the couple settled in quickly and got involved with various activities at Highland Springs.

Mark and Linda are both interested in genealogy and family history, so they decided to join Highland Springs’ genealogy group. Mark is involved with the Dallas chapter of Sons of the American Revolution, and Linda continues to pursue her passion of creating stained-glass art. 

With more than 40 years of experience, she’s become a wonderful asset to the woodshop.

“The woodshop here gifted me a table to finish out my stained-glass projects,” Linda says. “I’ve got a big lamp I’m working on. I started on the first day of the pandemic. It’s pretty massive, but I’m almost finished!”

A family affair

The Harrisons couldn’t be more pleased with their new life at Highland Springs. They love the levels of care available and the convenience of the on-site medical center—and so does their son. He appreciates the peace of mind, knowing that his folks are safe and well cared for. 

And if it isn’t already evident that Highland Springs is truly a family affair, the Harrisons’ granddaughter walks dogs for community members as her school service project. 

“Whether it’s fifteen or fifty years down the road, children and grandchildren of residents who were involved will often live here,” says Christina Christie, Highland Springs sales director. 

“It’s just such an easy decision to move in because our community already feels like home.”

To learn more about vibrant senior living at Highland Springs, request your free brochure and get the scoop on floor plans, pricing, and so much more.