Article & photos originally published in the Edmond Sun on May 24th, 2017
Author: Elisabeth Slay
EDMOND — Residents of Autumn Leaves memory care community and their loved ones were transported back in time during a Senior Prom planned by the facility.
Director of Sales and Marketing Denise Diaz said residents at Autumn Leaves have Alzheimer’s or Dementia and Senior Prom was created to help with connection amongst family members.
“We started this so that we could actually cultivate intimacy once more for our residents who are married and who have a spouse here in the community,” Diaz said.
Research, Diaz said, shows that music can help people with these diseases have better memory and improve their mood.
“We found that music in folks with Alzheimer’s and Dementia really helps give them lucid moments and so they really enjoy that. They connect with the music and they connect with a memory,” Diaz said.
According to Diaz, Senior prom was successful in that it provided something for the residents to look forward to.
“I think the biggest benefit is to feel purpose for them; is to actually have something going on and a plan that’s not just about sitting around and getting older,” Diaz said.
The prom was held in the main part of the Autumn Leaves building and there were several residents with their families dressed up for the occasion.
Music from Elvis Presley to Frank Sinatra was played as couple after couple took to the dance floor with their wife, husband, daughter or son.
Kenneth Rees, husband of resident Gae Rees, said he and his wife were happy to dance again.
“I think we’re looking forward to the dancing because she’s been kind of throwing a lot of dance moves lately. I think she’s getting in practice,” Kenneth said.
Tracy Sligar, daughter of resident Sharon Sligar, said she thought the event provided her mother and family with a sense of time before the disease.
“It’s just (an) essence of normalcy. My father is very active in the Edmond Knights of Columbus at St. Johns … so there were always dress up events, award ceremonies and galas,” Tracy said.
According to Rachel Tyner, the Life Engagement manager at Autumn Leaves, Senior Prom was a great way to send residents back to the good old days.
“I think that this gives them that opportunity to take back that moment in time and just enjoy life,” Tyner said.
Following the tradition of most proms, Autumn Leaves crowned a queen, Kathleen Wheeler and a king, John “Butch” Semerad Jr.
According to Gene Nashert, wife of resident Jack Nashert, the prom was extremely beneficial for the residents and it was as if she and her husband were back at their prom in the early 1950s.
“I think anything you can get them to react to, or interact with, is very good and you can tell that they’re enjoying it. (My favorite part of) this is just being together,” Gene said.
Diaz and other members of the Autumn Leaves staff said they will continue to put on the Senior Prom for the residents in the future.
