Senior living communities from coast to coast donned their red, white and blue as they celebrated another installment of the Fourth of July.
At Good Samaritan Society – Tyndall in Tyndall, SD, senior living manager LeAnn Kniffen and her 13 residents enjoyed a festive lunch together complete with bacon cheeseburgers, baked beans, potato salad, a red-white-and-blue cake and a whole lot of love. When it comes to celebrations, Kniffen always goes all-out.
“I do it because you never know when it could be someone’s last time to celebrate that particular holiday,” she said. “It’s happened more times than I can count when we celebrate something big and then that resident didn’t see the next holiday. So I think it’s important at this age to celebrate holidays and birthdays. I like to make them feel special.”
Meanwhile, in Naples, FL, Vi Living at Bentley Village hosted a golf cart parade on campus. The carts stopped at the assisted living residences and Bentley Care Center, where more residents joined the caravan to traverse the 156-acre campus. To beat the heat, the community enjoyed some summertime refreshments in the West Clubhouse, the final stop of the parade.
Whether behind the wheel of a golf cart or at the table among friends, this July 4 was an opportunity to spend time with neighbors as well as enjoy the warm summer sun. Kniffen said she always appreciates being able to hang out with the residents, who have become honorary members of her family.
“We’re such a small group of people, it’s just like a family,” she said. “They consider me a daughter, and they’re all grandparents to me. I think about what I would do if my grandparents were still living so I do it for them.”
With another July 4 in the books, you can be sure that Kniffen already is planning the next celebration for the community. When you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.
“They really make me feel special,” Kniffen said. “They worry about me. They’re just like parents and grandparents to me. Being here almost 26 years tells you I love what I do.”
See the In Focus archive, and find out how to submit your photos and information for consideration, here.
