We all have the photographic evidence of that purple lace dress or that frilly tux, or standing with your high school sweetheart under the balloon arch. Ah yes, the senior prom… a staple for high school students across the country. Senior proms are still the hallmark of the high school experience, but these grandiose events have been gaining popularity in assisted living/senior living facilities, too. Yes, “senior” proms are taking on a whole new meaning.

Many college and high school students have planned and produced successful senior proms for residents of assisted living communities. It’s a great service project, a fantastic opportunity for intergenerational interaction, and will undoubtedly be a “night to remember” for years to come, both for the students and elders.

This February, students at Ocoee High School and East Ridge High School joined forces to bring a “Senior Prom” to the residents of Oak Park. In an article entitled “Assisted Living Senior Prom: Behind the Scenes,” Terri Glimcher shares a few memorable moments from their highly successful event:

“One of my favorites was [my resident] Pearl. She had a beautiful dress on. As she came downstairs to the prom with her date, she lifted her skirt above the knee. There it was – a dime taped to her leg. As she showed me, I asked, “What are you going to do with that?” She said, “I need it here in case I need to make a phone call. My mother always told me to keep that dime under my dress.”

Another assisted living resident told Terri, “This is my first prom.  We were poor.  I never finished high school so I never went to the prom. This is the greatest day of my life! Thank you for making this prom happen.”

Participants were picked up at their apartments by their 17-year-old dates, given corsages, and were escorted to a photographer, who captured the couples on film. The event was held in the lobby, where DJ Larry provided musical entertainment. Many of the residents had help dressing to the nines — in a fabulous role reversal, sons and daughters came to help Mom or Dad prepare for the big night and even wished them safe travels (for the long walk to the lobby)!

Seventy residents, 75 students, a number of community merchants -– even the local Mayor — enjoyed the event. Glimcher says it best when she recounts, “It showed all of us all that you CAN bring seniors and young people together and successfully ‘bridge the generations’.”

Events like these always bring a smile to my face. They are fairly simple to put together, and they always have tremendously positive results. Students are often surprised at the vibrancy of their elder dates: one student confided in Terri, “These residents are running circles around us. We are tired! Do they ever stop dancing?”

Be sure to check out the article for a few photos from the evening at Oak Park. It might inspire you to spearhead a prom planning committee for the school and senior living community in your neck of the woods… your seniors at both ends of the spectrum will thank you!

-Michelle Seitzer