Aging Gracefully: Why Community Matters Most

(Fort Worth, Texas) – What is the biggest priority most people have as they age? According to the National Institute on Aging, it is staying connected to other people.

Social connections and relationships play a vital role in combating loneliness, which is not something Wayne Ballard, 91, George Stambaugh, 82, and Neil Pistana, 82, need to worry about.

About a year ago, Ballard, Stambaugh and Pistana founded the Sports Association at Album Keller Ranch, a 55+ active adult community in Fort Worth, Texas. “Our first sport was a three-hole putting golf course that we went through three times,” said Ballard.

“Three months later we switched to corn hole, and then pop darts with suction cups,” said Stambaugh.

In May, it will be time to kick off the shuffleboard season. That will be followed in August by another golf season, and then corn hole again in October.

Each season kicks off with a singing of the National Anthem and ends with awards being given out for most improved, most valuable and greatest game play.

“It’s fun. There’s a lot of smiling, a lot of laughing, a lot of joking,” added Pistana.

In addition to offering residents a built-in sense of community from the day they move in, other benefits of moving into Album Keller Ranch include access to a pool and fitness center, a clubhouse, art room, modern fitness center, yoga studio, exercise classes, art classes and social gatherings.

More information about the maintenance-free community is available at www.Albumkellerranch.com