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2000. “We used the theme ‘Swing as many activities as possible.”
into Spring’, and the residents helped
make decorations and put them on The activities offered to McDowell
the tables. They felt like it was their Place residents run the gamut from
event.” social interaction to physical activity
to community events, and all are
This was the second year for designed to help keep the residents
McDowell Place of Danville to “independent in a fun way.”
provide a senior prom for its
90-plus residents who now call Scott admits that planning activities
the community their home. Their for McDowell Place residents can
families were also encouraged to be a bit of a challenge, because of
participate, and all were entertained the different personalities among
by the Young At Heart Big Band, the participants. She said some
which has been performing regularly residents are more outgoing than
at McDowell Place for many years. others, and some residents are
more introverted. Her secret to
Although some may question whether “My goal is to stimulate the residents’ overcoming that challenge is to get to
McDowell Place’s residents need a minds so that they are maintaining know the residents in order to make a
prom, research encourages social their physical and spiritual activity,” connection with them.
interaction among senior adults to said Scott, who has a bachelor’s
maintain their physical and emotional degree in health science. “It’s very “I never force them to participate in
health and perhaps even ward off important to me that our activity an activity, but I do try to encourage
dementia. With that in mind, Scott calendar reflects those things and them to get involved in a way in
has a very important responsibility at offers the type of programs to which they feel comfortable,” she
McDowell Place. encourage residents to participate in said.

4 Summer 2016 Ephraim McDowell Health Source