As a lowly high school student, I was never able tomuster up much enthusiasm for the prom. Dancing in public? “Ewww… ,” my 17-year-old brain responded, moreoften than not.
Fifteen years later, this wallflower has found a promshe’d be happy to attend.
Residents at Baltimore’s Frankford Nursing and Rehabilitation celebrated their 4th annual Senior Prom Wednesday as part of thefacility’s Nursing Home Week celebration.
In a lucky bit of timing, Nursing Home Week just happensto fall during the same week that area high school students celebrate their ownproms. Unlike my high school self, the residents and staff in this communitysay they wouldn’t miss this prom for the world.
“Staff who work that day sometimes say, ‘I’m too tired tocome back,’ but they all leave work that day saying, ‘I’m glad I came,” saysSharon Harris, 49, Frankford’s activities director, who organizes the event.
The facility’s prom has every element that a traditionalhigh school prom has — save for some scandalized adult chaperones forced tokeeping the dancing PG-rated.
A DJ is hired to provide music. Residents have their hairprofessionally styled. Nursing home volunteers track down clothing for all theresidents, including items such as gowns, dress, suits, shirts, blouses, ties,wigs, jewelry and even make-up. Dietary staffers work to prepare an extraspecial evening meal.
The facility’s dining room is decorated to approximateMartin’s West, an upscale and popular spot for proms and weddings. A professional photographer takespictures of all the attendees, using a mocked-up Martin’s West stairwell as thebackdrop. Every attendee gets a framed photo to take home.
Staff and residents vote for their own prom kings and queens.(There are a staff king and queen as well as a resident king and queen.)
Kings and queens are honored with special seating at thehead banquet table and have their own special dance. Harris says the kings andqueens are crowned on the Monday before the prom, with a royal court ceremony.
And, everyone who is able dances. No wallflowers here.
“Those who can’t will attempt to make moves in theirwheelchairs by patting feet and moving shoulders side-to-side,” Harrisexplains. “But what makes me know they are enjoying themselves are thesmiles. Of course, safety is always a factor — most of the residents will havea staff or guest partner — especially if they may be weak on the feet. But we allow them to make some moves within limits.”
Harris says the prom grows more well-attended every year,with more members of the Baltimore community and residents’ families gettinginvolved. Though it requires a lot of time and energy to plan each time, Harrissays it’s worth it.
“I really enjoy planning this event and when I reach mysenior years, I only pray that someone like me will have a ‘Senior Prom’ idea,too.”
