Senior prom brings back memories for residents
Mildred Basista is crowned by Betty Lackner, assistant director of nursing at Presbyterian Senior Care at the second annual senior prom. Residents of the nursing home spend an afternoon eating hors d’oeuvres, listening to music from a DJ and dancing.
Queen Mildred Basista and King Patsy Pirillo sit in the middle of the dance floor for photos together after being crowned at the second annual Presbyterian SeniorCare prom.
Employees of Presbyterian SeniorCare dance around the newly crowned prom queen, Mildred Basista.
Rena Tatka, director of recreation at Presbyterian SeniorCare, dances with resident Elsa Goss at this year’s senior prom.
A couple of friends clasped hands and swayed to music in their seats, looking at each other for help to remember words to songs from their past. The music fittingly went along with the theme to their prom, “A Time to Remember.”
Sixty-five residents of Presbyterian SeniorCare in Washington attended the second annual prom held May 17. Staff members organized the prom and attended to all the details to make it a memorable event for the seniors.
“It brings back memories,” said Kenya Gayman, nurse and prom coordinator. “Residents and families talked about the music, reminding them of songs they used to dance to and listen to. It sparks conversations about their prom and boyfriends and what they wore way back then.”
The day started out with the residents getting outfitted in dressier clothes, touching up make-up and curling hair. All the primping was done for residents by the staff members. The seniors were then ushered to a pre-prom party in the atrium before moving to the chapel for the main event. Volunteers filled plates of finger foods and brought them to the residents at tables decorated with flowers.
Midway through the prom, the king and queen were chosen by a random drawing. Queen Mildred Basista and King Patsy Pirillo were crowned with a tiara and fabric crown hat and given flowers.
“For a few hours they were not nursing home residents,” Gayman said, “but folks dressed elegantly and enjoying a special event.”