I live in a senior living facility with more than 50 high school friends. It feels like a reunion every day.
Over 50 alumni from Austin High School have reunited by moving into the same senior living community in Austin, Texas. The residents, who graduated between the 1940s and 1960s, maintain their long-standing friendships through daily social interactions and dinners.
Why it matters
This human-interest story highlights the importance of community and social connection in aging, offering a unique example of how long-term friendships can influence lifestyle choices in retirement.
A significant number of residents of Westminster Senior Living Community attended the same Austin high school decades ago. Westminster Carlene Jenkins and more than 50 of her high school alums live in the same senior living community. They each graduated from Austin High School in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. They love to catch up on old times, hosting regular dinners and other reunions at the facility. This story is based on an interview with Carlene Jenkins, 89, a retired personal shopper from Austin . It has been edited for length and clarity. Three years ago, it became time for my husband, Robert, 90, a retired dentist, and me to downsize and move from our house in Austin. A lot of people in our situation tour different facilities to find the right one. However, it was a no-brainer for us to choose Westminster Senior Living in the city center.
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