Nursing Home Residents Celebrate Their ‘Senior Prom’ In Deer Isle

Do you remember your senior prom?

When I was in high school, I went to three proms. My freshman and sophomore year, I went because my girlfriend at the time was a couple of years ahead of me. Then of course, I went to my senior prom as well. I skipped my junior year because the girl I was spending time with didn't seem very interested in going.

I can't say there was anything particularly special about them. Other than it seemed like an expensive way to go to a regular old-school dance. But I've heard stories in recent years about people having "makeup proms" or at least celebrating them again as an adult. It sure makes drinking beers beforehand a bit less stressful.

Sometimes doing things as an adult is waaaaay more fun.

In the times I have read about adults throwing proms, they look like a blast. Nostalgia obviously plays a big role, but there's usually so much drama around teen prom nights, that they aren't as fun as they seem like they should be. As adults, we're often a bit better at managing our expectations.

Not to be outdone, residents of the Island Nursing Home in Deer Isle decided they wanted their own prom, according to WABI. So they asked the staff to help them achieve just that very goal. Complete with all the music, food, fancy clothes, and decorations that you'd see at any prom.

A long time coming...

When most of us had our proms, it's in the springtime. Same with the residents at the home. But finally, this past Friday, they got their wish. Again, complete with fancy clothes, snacks, sparkling cider, and a custom playlist. Plus, their families were invited as well.

According to Senior Executive Director Matthew Trombley, they only had one simple rule that day...

Have fun. You know, it certainly has been a long year and a half for our industry, and for our families and for their loved ones that we take care of here. And we really wanted to get back to a little bit of normalcy and bring a little bit of joy to their life.