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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Herb and Mary posed in front of the back drop on June 8 for the Brookdale prom event.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Lynne Burns and Melvin Eckert were named Brookdale Prom King and Queen 2017 on June 8 during their prom event.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Dave Propri provided entertainment and sang songs for the residents and staff to dance to during their prom on June 8 at Brookdale in Austintown.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.William and Trudi Fischer attended the Brookdale prom event on June 8 and stood in front of the back drop to get their picture taken.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Thomas Marlowe and Lotis Cooper went together to the Brookdale prom on June 8 wearing their best outfits.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Carl and Helen Yash wore matching purple outfits for the prom event at Brookdale on June 8.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Residents celebrated like they were back in high school during the Brookdale Prom on June 8.
Vanessa Montgomery, Clare Bridge Program Coordinator, worked with Keri Rhoads, Volunteer Coordinator and Social Worker, of Harbor Light Hospice to create an event that would bring together the residents and their families to have fun and reminisce.
Residents put on their best outfits and the women got their hair and make up done by staff members and volunteers. Rhoads’ daughter and her girl scout troop came to volunteer for the prom and make sure everyone had a good time.
“Just even putting all the make up on them, they lit up when they did their hair,” said Rhoads.
As soon as everyone was ready, the residents walked down the hallways with their dates and prepared to get their pictures taken in front of a back drop. When the residents walked down the halls, their names were announced and people applauded them.
Family members of the residents were asked to send in pictures of the residents from their time at prom in high school. There were a few residents who had their pictures sent in to be put on display.
“We are going to put the new and old pictures side by side and hang them through the community and show them before and after,” said Montgomery.
Montgomery credits her staff members for all the hard work and effort they put in to giving the residents and their families to spend an afternoon together. There were residents who had their husbands, wives, siblings and children who came in to be their prom date.
From the beginning of the day when to residents began getting ready to when they walked through the halls with their family members, the day was a very emotional one. It was not only emotional for the residents and their family members, but for the staff and volunteers who were involved in the whole process.
“Whenever we do an event, everybody is included,” said Brookdale Executive Director Heidi Polonus.
The prom guests took a small break from entertainment from Dave Propri as the King and Queen were crowned. Roselyn Sims from Brookdale Health donated the king and queen hats, along with an edible fruit arrangement. Residents Melvin Eckert and Lynne Burns were crowned king and queen because they were the residents who have been at Brookdale for the longest amount of time.
Brookdale hosts at least one event a month to help the residents live a normal and fun life while they are in the senior care center.