Residents at Rittenhouse Village in Portage went to their annual Seniors Prom earlier today to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Complete with everything from the Bonner Senior Center dance group getting residents up and dancing, to the tasty food, refreshments, and of course, a DJ. Rittenhouse residents slow-danced to oldies like “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You,” by Elvis and enjoyed moving to more modern singles such as “Blurred Lines,” by Robin Thicke.
“We try to make every holiday special for them,” said Melissa Benefiel, the Senior Lifestyle Counselor at the Portage Rittenhouse. “I think it does mean a lot to them. We get them dressed up. Our activities people help them get their hair done and their makeup, so, it’s a very special day for them, but we try to do that with all of our holidays to make it as special as possible for them.”
In its 6th year running, the Seniors Prom is a wonderful way to give residents a sense of a nostalgic flashback to when they went to prom. In addition to residents being on the guest list for Prom, other seniors that are considering making a move to Rittenhouse are invited to the event. That way, potential future residents can see what it’s like to live at Rittenhouse.
While the event is a blast for residents, it’s also reassurance of care to children of some residents. The mother of Portage Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Nancy Simpson, has been at Rittenhouse since this last June.
“It’s wonderful to have the interaction with all of the other residents here and to get them out of the room. Sometimes they get a little depressed and are anxious and don’t want to get out, so they need a little push,” said Simpson. “She really is enjoying it. Once she’s here, she’s happy. Rittenhouse is a great place. She’s very happy here. The care is wonderful, and the activities are great.”
Highland resident Betty Ann Pierce, whose mother is also a resident at Rittenhouse, has been coming to every holiday party and event that’s been held since her mother moved in three years ago.
“It just seems as if the staff is very friendly, helpful, and they always try to make it fun with happy hour on Fridays and different parties for the various occasions, so they give residents something to look forward to,” said Pierce while The Chicken Dance played in the background.
The way Rittenhouse focuses on its residents by throwing events like this is one of the many ways that the facility cares, and one of the many reasons why NWI residents like Pierce chose Rittenhouse for her mother.
“We investigated various senior living establishments and found Rittenhouse to be the best,” said Pierce.
To learn more about Rittenhouse events and their senior residential care, visit https://www.rittenhousevillages.com/senior-living/in/portage/rittenhouse-village-at-portage/.