For mother-daughter duo, Highland Springs is a great place to live and work

Dallas, Texas--Terese Mugno loves her job as sales counselor at Highland Springs, the Erickson Living community in North Dallas, and every day at work is an opportunity to see one very special person who lives there.

"My mom, Joyce Glivinski, moved to Highland Springs in August," says Terese. "She was the first person to move into our newest residence building, Twin Oaks Square."

Joyce and Terese are part of a growing nationwide trend: employees having family members who live at an Erickson Living community. 

"There is a great sense of pride when you see employees like Terese with their loved ones right here at Highland Springs," said Matt Neville, Executive Director.  "Those family connections are uniquely special." 

A connected journey

Joyce hadn't considered a move to a retirement community before Terese began working at Highland Springs in May 2017.

"I had my life planned out," says Joyce. "I was going to move into a one-story house near Terese and her sister Tawn, and that's where I was going to spend my retirement years."

The family's journey to Highland Springs started with Terese, who was ready for a career change after two decades in pharmaceutical sales.

"I wanted a job where I felt I was making a positive impact on peoples' lives," says Terese. "I knew of Highland Springs because I live near the community, and it has a great reputation in the area."

Terese saw an online posting for a sales counselor position in early 2017 and applied for the job.

"I was impressed with Highland Springs from the first moment I drove on to the campus," says Terese. "Now that I've worked at the community for a year and a half, I see the positive impact it has on peoples' lives, both residents and staff."

Terese and fellow Sales Counselor Lauren Rozdilsky work with prospective residents, showing them apartment homes and facilitating a seamless move to the community.

"When you think of all the amenities and social opportunities available at Highland Springs, it's hard to imagine a more vibrant lifestyle, especially when you consider the alternative might be living alone in a single-family home," says Terese.

Joyce, for her part, was thrilled with her daughter's new opportunity but still didn't consider Highland Springs for herself until Terese invited her to a sales luncheon at the community.

"As I was sitting there listening to the speaker, it just hit me," says Joyce. "I thought, 'Why not move to Highland Springs?' Why worry about keeping up with a house when I could be enjoying the lifestyle that's offered here?"

That same afternoon, Joyce sat down in her daughter's office and studied floor plans slated to open in Twin Oaks Square in late summer 2018.

"I loved the design of the Newberry floor plan," says Joyce. "It's a large one-bedroom apartment with a den. I also wanted to be on the first floor so I could have a patio for my little dog Rosie."

Life at Highland Springs

As the first resident to move into Twin Oaks Square, Joyce cut the ribbon at the building's grand opening celebration.

"This was such a big decision, there's always the fear that you might make a mistake," says Joyce. "But without question, this was the right move. Even if Terese didn't work here, Highland Springs is the best place for me."

In the months since her move, Joyce has enjoyed the community's weekly exercise classes and joined a card group.

"It's nice to see my mom get involved and make friends so quickly," says Terese. "I've had a firsthand look at how living here can have such a positive change in someone's life. And I enjoy getting to see her almost every day. When I'm meeting with prospective residents, I tell them my mother lives at the community and I think it's a wonderful place or else she wouldn't be here."

Joyce says she feels a sense of pride when she sees Terese's easy rapport with other residents.

"I know she's great," says Joyce, "It's wonderful everyone else feels the same way."

About Highland Springs:  Highland Springs, one of 19 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 89-acre campus in North Dallas, Texas. The community is located in Collin County and is home to more than 1,000 residents. Additional information about Highland Springs can be found at HighlandSpringsCommunity.com.