EDIT: UNFORTUNATELY THE 1920’s BALL IS BEING POSTPONED UNTIL FUTHER NOTICE. THE LIBERTYASSISTED LIVING WILL STILL BE FUNDRAISING FOR THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION. THE COMMUNITY IS WELCOMED TO PARTICIPATE IN A SILENT AUCTION OR BY SPONSORING OUR CAMPUS WALKING TEAM, THAT WILL BE ATTENDING THE CLEVELAND, OCTOBER 7, 2012 WALK. For information about the walking team for Heather Hill Care Communities please visit the website.
The Liberty Assisted Living at Heather Hill Care Communities is holding their Second Annual Black and White Ball to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. However, the event is not your usual Gala. Black tie? Not required. Evening designed by the residents? Check. Bathtub “Gin”? Check.
This year’s theme, The Roaring 20s, seeks to recreate an era the residents/patients at Heather Hill knew well while creatively engaging their memories in an event that benefits others. Being held September 15 from 4:00 to 8:30 p.m., the evening includes music of the ’20s, dancing under the stars, and catering by the in-house campus chef. Tickets, only $25 per person, were reduced to allow for more individuals to take part in the event.
With the median resident’s age at the Liberty over 85, and more than a half dozen of the residents at or over 100 years of age, staff wanted to create something the residents could directly relate to.
“What we do here is all about our residents,” says Rebecca Molnar, Administrator, Liberty Assisted Living and Dolan Center for Memory and Aging. “It’s not that we do this for them, but with them. This is truly their community and we’re a guest in their home.”
Championing Alzheimer’s disease is a strong component of what the Heather Hill campus is about. The Dolan Center for Memory is one of four dedicated units on campus for individuals with cognitive impairment and well-known for their superior care of individuals with dementia. Staff has also registered as a team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s being held in October.
Much research went into planning The Roaring 20s. Residents were asked for their memories of the Roaring 20s and the Prohibition era; foods popular in that time period were researched; the staff music therapist went to a local restaurant to take pictures of Prohibition-era photos. Additionally, hydrangea blooms taken from the campus were dried to make a large floral wreath for a silent auction also taking place that evening. Many local vendors, including Bass Lake Tavern, Auto Zone, Peebles, and other local-area businesses donated gift baskets or gift certificates for the auction.
The campus, which re-opened its nursing home units this summer after a multi-million-dollar, year-long renovation, is embracing its place in the community as a leader in geriatric care. In addition to Assisted Living and Dementia Care, Heather Hill offers Rehabilitation Services, sub-acute units, a Long-term Acute Care Hospital, or LTACH, and the nursing home. Outpatient Therapy, located at the Geauga YMCA, has received awards for superior service several years running. The campus also features internship programs for many of the departments and an intern house that qualified student clinicians may stay at during their rotation.
“We really feel like we’re just getting started,” says Molnar. For more information about the Liberty Black and White Ball, or any programs offered at the campus, contact 440/285-3300.
