Saturday
At Walden Place this holiday season, a longtime tradition will see a much anticipated return.
“Over the last few years we have not been able to have a whole lot of family interaction,” said David Canfield, executive director of Walden Place, an assisted living facility in Cortlandville.
“Now, coming this December, our 145 residents have an invitation for two family members to come in, and they will get turkey and ham and all the fixings, and there will be an entertainer to play music and a gift exchange.”
The annual family meal was put on hold for the last two years.
“I’m personally excited to see family and residents back together in a group setting for the first time in at least three years,” Canfield said.
The typical age of a resident is 85 years old. “Tomorrow is not guaranteed, especially as residents get older,” Canfield said.
It took a special event permit requiring both state and county approval for the event to happen.
“It was way worth it for the families, for the residents and the staff to have the chance to be with families as well as having a great meal for them to be able to share,” Canfield said.
During the pandemic, many residents went to their family’s home because guests were not able to spend time at the facility.
In some ways, COVID-19 brought families closer together.
“They weren’t able to see them for so long,” said Sarah Lang, memory care director, who is head of the dementia unit. “They want to do it while they can.”
