Assisted living communities across the country celebrated National Assisted Living Week Sept. 11 to 17 with this year’s theme, “Joyful Moments.”
Brandywine Living at Princeton in New Jersey took the theme as the chance to celebrate a different sitcom every day, including “I Love Lucy,” “Happy Days,” “Miami Vice, “Green Acres,” “Lost in Space,” “I Dream of Jeannie” and “Batman.”
“We had a galactic experience with ‘Lost in Space,’ as the great room was transformed to look like a planetarium, with walls wrapped in star paper and illuminating lights on ceiling and walls,” said Escapades Producer Stephanie Gaber, ADC. “Residents helped to make planets of our solar system to hang and space artwork to display.”
“Mega robot,” which stood more than five feet tall and lit up, danced and posed for photos with residents. “After, residents sampled freeze-dried space ice cream,” Gaber said, adding that residents are still talking about it.
The last day of the observance happened to be National Batman Day, Gaber said. “We celebrated by having the Batmobile, Batman, the Joker, Catwoman, Batwoman and Bat Girl at the event,” she said. “Residents loved watching the interaction between Batman and the Joker and really got a kick out of taking a spin in the Batmobile.”
The event also was a fundraiser for Hope for Ukraine, Gaber said. “We sold bat cookies, Gotham punch, sunflowers and residents’ comic strip artwork, raising $500,” she added.
NALW was established by the National Center for Assisted Living in 1995.
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