Natalie McIntosh with Susan Cassidy
at Poet’s Walk Fredericksburg.

Instead of welcoming summer by heading to the beach or lounging by the pool, residents of two different senior living organizations spent the longest day of the year in more meaningful ways.

A walkathon was held at the Virginia-based Poet’s Walk Fredericksburg memory care community to help raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. That same day, June 21, people across the world participated in fundraising activities to raise funds and awareness for the disease.

This was the first year that Poet’s Walk Fredericksburg hosted the event. About 50 residents and their families showed support by walking any time of the day – from sunrise to sunset – and making donations. 

During the event, families and staff members could spend time outdoors, get in some exercise, help others and have fun with a photo booth full of props.

Residents and staff and Lake Barrington Woods participated in a dance marathon
to support the Alzheimer’s Association.

Residents at Chicago-based Senior Lifestyle’s communities took part in their third year of a dance marathon called “The Longest Dance.”

Seniors at all Senior Lifestyle communities across the country submitted videos of iconic dance moves through different decades, inviting anyone to support finding a cure for Alzheimer’s by sending in their own video footage to join the marathon. 

Between their residents, team members, families and vendor partners, more than 50 dance videos came in throughout the course of the day.

“For many of us, dancing can feel silly or undignified, especially when you don’t know the steps. For our seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s, this is what each day can begin to feel like as they slowly forget some of the most basic steps to daily living,” said Cathleen O’Brien, vice president of resident experience, Senior Lifestyle. “Families and residents alike will tell you one of the most challenging aspects of memory loss is feeling that loss of dignity. That’s why this year, we challenged all of our residents, family members, team members, business partners and friends to become a little undignified by joining the dance to help fight for the dignity of those battling Alzheimer’s disease.”

See Senior Lifestyle videos here:

Better When I’m Dancin’

Mr. Postman

Senior Lifestyle Longest Dance Playlist

Click here to see the In Focus archive and read how to submit your photos for consideration.