Residents of Brookfield Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia in Battle Ground were taken back in time to the 1980s as the staff organized a prom-styled event for the senior citizens to enjoy.
The event Oct. 4 featured live music by Blake Johnston along with food, drinks and a lot of balloon popping and cheering.
“So the staff wanted to recreate a point in time that [residents] can remember back when they were younger,” Brookfield CEO Josh Clark said. “I’m trying to make it fun and engaging for them to look back to when they went to prom.”
Battle Ground Mayor Phillip Johnson and firefighters from Clark County Fire District 3 attended, as well.
“Usually we’re here when people are at their worst, so it’s pleasant to be here to see people when they’re at their best, having a good time and enjoying life,” Fire District 3 Capt. Nolan Meyer said.
Brookfield Director of Nursing Olga Orlovskaya organized the event with hopes that the residents would find positivity and enjoy the day just like they would have in their senior year of high school.
“The smiles on residents’ faces, that’s why they’re here,” Orlovskaya said. “They don’t have as many events like this. So, obviously, we wanted to make it very special for them. Especially when talking to a lot of residents, they said they never went to prom or they don’t know what prom is. So they wanted us to create that.”
The residents of Brookfield, who range in age from 70 to 90, were dancing, smiling and mingling about at their tables and with staff at the event.
For the nurses, the event allowed them to have fun with the residents as opposed to performing their routine duties at the facility.
“I think it’s so great to see these guys having so much fun,” CNA RA Joanne White said. “Brookfield is a very good place, and we have a great rehab team here. … People enjoy it here. People come and have a good time along with recovery.”
Brookfield Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia focuses on patient-centered rehabilitation.
It features an in-house rehabilitation gym and a comprehensive approach to physical, occupational and speech therapies, according to its website.
As a skilled nursing facility, Brookfield offers many conveniences and amenities to make the facility as home-like as possible for long-term care patients, according to the website.
Brookfield also provides residents with an activities program run by an activities director. Social services for both residents and families are provided, as well, to help navigate through long-term care living.
“We would like the community and Clark County region to know that Brookfield is a safe and high-quality health care facility,” Clark said. “We’re here to provide therapy and long-term care to residents that are looking to build strength after a surgery or a procedure.”
Brookfield is located at 510 N. Parkway Ave. in Battle Ground. For more information, visit brookfieldhealthandrehab.com.
