Concordia residents need gowns, jackets for ‘Enchanted Forest’
JEFFERSON TWP — Last year, they went under the sea. This year, they’re exploring the enchanted forest. And they’re going to need some new clothes for the trip.
Residents of Concordia Lutheran Ministries skilled nursing unit will be attending “The Enchanted Forest” prom in the Lund building’s Four Seasons area beginning at 6:30 p.m. June 8.
Along with music provided by Murphy’s Music Combo Band, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, Lisa Casey and Kelly Johnston, activities assistants in the skilled nursing unit, are looking for prom dresses and men’s jackets to really make the prom experience complete.
Casey said there were tentative plans to bring in a photo booth, but because most of the residents use wheelchairs to get around, space considerations eventually ruled it out.
“This is the fourth prom we’ve had, and we are very excited,” Karen Beilstein, skilled nursing administrator, said. “We love doing it. It’s a time for them to feel special and to enjoy a really special night.”
“At last year’s “Under the Sea,” we had live mermaids,” she added.
Johnston said most of the attendees will be in the 80 to 83 age range, although one 101-year-old woman said she plans to attend.
“The event will be fully staffed, but other staff members and nurses may attend, and there will be family members as well,” Casey said. “The residents don’t have to lift a finger.”
Casey said they are looking for prom dresses and jackets that will be able to be reused at future prom events. The dresses will be cut up the back to provide easier access for the wearers.
“It will be great to get the dresses. They can be cleaned up and used more than once,” Johnston said.
Casey said the upcoming prom night is just the latest in a series of events the activities staff schedules for residents. Other events arranged by the activities staff was party with a magician and a “name-that-bird” competition.
“The nature of the job is recreational therapy,” Casey said. “Primarily, our focus is on long-term care, those are our patients and those are who we care for.”
The 142 residents of the skilled nursing unit may be looking forward to the prom, but they are not looking forward to electing a prom king and queen, Casey said.
“They don’t care. Nobody wants to be the prom king and queen. They’re of the ‘Greatest Generation,’ they’re humble. They are just happy to have fun,” she said.
Both Casey and Johnston said putting on the prom is a major project, with the activities staff making the forest decorations mostly on their own time.
“We’ll probably go in early that morning to set up the trees, lights and fairies,” Casey said. “It is a big undertaking, because if you are going to do it, you have to do it right.”
It’s the fourth prom for Concordia, she said.
“Each year you have to elevate it, make it bigger, better. What woman doesn’t want to get dressed up?” she said.
Students from Butler Beauty Academy and Lenape Technical School’s beauty schools will be at Concordia before the prom’s start to work on the residents’ hair and makeup.
The Concordia skilled nursing unit is accepting donations of prom dresses, men’s suit coats and costume jewelry. Donations can be left in the lobby of the Lund Care Building, 134 Marwood Road, Jefferson Township. For more information call 724-352-1571 ext. 8241.
