Residents from The Palace at Weston assisted living community joined with the Primrose School of Miramar for “Adopt a Grandparent Day” and then with Harmony Dance Academy in honor of “National Grandparents’ Day.”
“The Adopt-a-Grandparent Day (officially Sept. 10) was started in 2014 to recognize and honor the lives of the elderly in our society. Statistics show fifty percent of nursing home residents have no close relatives, forty-six percent have no living children, and sixty percent have no outside visitors. By interacting with young school children, many of whom may not have grandparents nearby, we created a nurturing experience that’s a ‘win-win’ for both generations,” says Omar Urbay, Director of Activities.
Octogenarians from The Palace brought their love of learning to the Primrose school children – ages 8 months to pre-kindergarten – for a morning assisting, serving breakfast, reading, and interacting with the youngsters.
In February of 1977, Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents’ Day. The statute cites the day’s purpose: “…to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer”.
Guests at The Palace at Weston Memory Care followed a yellow brick road to a Grandparents’ Day party in honor of this national event (officially Sept 11). A “Wizard of Oz” Palace-style theme and costumed staff charmed everyone. While the talented Palace culinary team served a sumptuous buffet, a charming green-suited leprechaun fashioned balloon animals for the children, and a Tin Man and Dorothy posed for pictures. The party was highlighted by students from the Harmony Dance Academy who made their first appearance before a live audience. This event truly embodied the spirit of how the day was intended to be celebrated.
It was the perfect way to celebrate National Grandparents’ Day!
