We finished our week-long celebration in honor of National Assisted Living Week at Brookdale San Juan Capistrano by having a family car parade. Residents' families came out to show their support to our residents and staff by driving through our parking lot, waving to the residents, playing fun music, and even dancing out of their sun roofs! The residents and their families had so much fun getting to see each other again!
The residents at Brookdale San Juan Capistrano wanted to show their appreciation during National Assisted Living Week to our hard-working staff by making staff appreciation gifts and then personally thanked each team member as they handed the gift bags out.
We kicked off National Assisted Living Week at Brookdale San Juan Capistrano by having the residents write gratitude notes and cards to the staff. Our gratitude board will be displayed in our assisted living main lobby so the staff can see, read, and know that they are supported and appreciated for all of their hard work!
Allen was eager to share his gumbo family recipe with the other residents at Brookdale San Juan Capistrano during our Taste & Tour Louisiana Program. Allen, who was born and raised in Louisiana, recently moved into Brookdale and was so excited to share all about his home state and give the residents a taste of one of their most well-known dishes, gumbo.
Who doesn’t love a good love story? This one takes place 62 years ago when Barbara walked into the Standard Oil gas station in Berkeley, California to use the bathroom just hoping to get Jerry’s attention, one of the gas station attendants. Well, it must have worked because three beautiful daughters and six wonderful grandchildren later they recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary at Brookdale San Juan Capistrano! Jerry, a successful pilot in the Navy serving our country for over 32 years, and Barbara, a devoted housewife have built a beautiful life together. When asked what is the secret to having a long-lasting marriage they both agreed, “‘Marry a wonderful person.” Congratulations Barbara and Jerry!
To make it to 100 is no easy feat so, of course, we had to celebrate when one of our residents at Brookdale San Juan Capistrano did just that. Margaret was born on September 5, 1920. Although not your typical birthday with social distancing, wearing a mask, and keeping the room limited to a certain number of people, we still managed to have fun and celebrate a beautiful life lived. Highlights from Margaret’s birthday party included a signed letter from our Brookdale President and CEO, Cindy Baier, which one of our residents read aloud to Margaret. Also, to get to know Margaret even better we played a game of 100 questions for her 100th birthday. Margaret was such a good sport and answered all 100 questions! Thank you, Margaret, for allowing us to celebrate such a milestone birthday with you and for being a part of our Brookdale family!
