Patio appeals to seniors

Providing both independence and security, Autumn Place Independent Living senior apartments draw people from many different areas to the small Pea Ridge facility.

Residents, who currently range in age from 67 to nearly 99, are originally from as far away as California. They each have their own apartment, but gather for social time in the parlor, community room/library and dining room.

Betty Spencer, formerly from California, said her children brought her to Northwest Arkansas to be closer to them.

The eldest resident, Jay Churchill, 98, is originally from Carlisle, in the center of the state. A World War II veteran, Churchill served in Europe and said several of the other residents were also WWII veterans.

Churchill, Ralph Thornton, 94, and Dave Davison are all World War II veterans. They share a common bond and enjoy telling their stories.

Davison, originally from Texas, said he had worked for the telephone company in Rogers and heard about Autumn Place.

Curtis Lane, 67, from Ash County, said the climate of Northwest Arkansas attracted him to Pea Ridge. He also likes having an outside doorway. Each apartment has an outside door leading to a patio area. Several of the residents have plants on their patios.

"I miss my flowers and my yard, but here, I can have just what I want," Juanita Wilson, 84, said. "My son brings me plants."

Wilson, who said she has five children in Rogers, as well as six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, said she sees her family often. Her son bought her house and still brings flowers to her from her own garden.

There are currently two large studio apartments available, McKinney said.

Nearby is the assisted living facility and in front of that is a walking path.

In addition to McKinney, there are three employees -- Laura Worley, Toby Sprague and Judy Holliday.

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Editor's note: This is the second in a three-part series on Autumn Place, independent living.