It sounded and looked like a blast from the past. Oldies but goodies like the Righteous Brothers song “Unchained Melody,” Elvis Presley’s “It’s Now or Never,” and The Temptations’ “My Girl” blared from a sound system set up at Gainesville’s Senior Recreation Center.
When live entertainer Dan Flok arrived, he stayed in the moment and broke into a rendition of Bobby Darin’s “Dream Lover.”
The place was abuzz. The sound level was high as people laughed, joked and sang along with the music. Some attendees were dressed to the nines: women in sequined dresses and heels, even though it was the middle of the day, and some men sporting hats or a flashing tie that gave them a particularly jaunty look.
It was a Valentine’s Day event, but so much more, as the event underscored how important it is for seniors’ emotional, mental and even physical wellbeing to spruce up their days with something fun to do.
They were there for the second annual senior prom, hosted by Touching Hearts at Home on Feb. 14. The event was designed to be a dance and a good time for seniors, but also much more.
Touching Hearts Executive Director Christina Ramos got the idea for the first dance last year in honor of her grandmother and then realized it was something that should become an annual event.
“The social stimulation is great for our seniors,” Ramos said. “For cognitive stimulation as well as just body movement. We love to see our seniors dancing and boogeying down. And of course, being positive and being taken back to those times through music.”
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) says older adults with an active lifestyle are less likely to develop some diseases. And getting out and about with others is certainly one way of being active.
The NIA findings show that having a social life can help improve thinking skills, too.
“Research suggests that participating in certain activities, such as those that are mentally stimulating or involve physical activity may have a positive effect on memory,” the NIA reports. “Creative activities such as music or dance, can help older adults with memory problems or dementia.”
Just last year U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wrote about what he called “our epidemic of loneliness and isolation” in an advisory his office issued about the healing effects of social connection and community.
“Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health,” Murthy wrote in his opening letter. “It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death.”
The Senior Prom is just one day and just one dance, but for the elderly people who attended, it was more than a good time while they were there. It was also something to look forward to and recall with delight after the fact.
That was true for Nevin Bennett, who had a grand time.
“I like to dance. And people are happy. They’re laughing,” he said, also laughing at himself as he admitted he was also there “because I like to flirt with old ladies.”
Others enjoyed time on the dance floor as well. Richard Malley and Angie Ferkovich, who were crowned king and queen of the event, showed their skills in a solo whirl around the dance floor to the tune of “The Tennessee Waltz.”
A lot of organizations got involved, including the Village at Gainesville, which was billed as the presenter of the event. Other sponsors included the Windsor of Gainesville, Magnolia Ridge Rehabilitation Center, Life Care Medical Transport, Terrace Health and Rehabilitation Center, and Haven Hospice.
Although the event was free for attendees, proceeds coming from sponsors and donors went to benefit Elder Care of Alachua County, which operates the Senior Recreation Center and Al’s Place, which provides adult day care for those with Alzheimer’s disease or severe memory impairment.
“Events like this in general give seniors a sense of community and family and additional support mechanism even though it’s a different kind of support—maybe it’s emotional support,” said Jeffrey B. Lee, director of Elder Care. “We feel the seniors are valued and want to provide the type of activities whether they be educational or recreational that we think they will enjoy.”
It’s something the Senior Recreation Center works hard at doing by offering a full slate of different activities every day in which people can participate.
Also on hand were student volunteers who are part of the University of Florida’s Dance Marathon team who greeted people at the door, made Valentines and other place settings and generally served as party animators to give older folks a chance to mingle with the younger ones.
“They’re here just living their life to the fullest and we’re helping them experience that,” said Maya Hershkowitz, one of the Dance Marathon volunteers.
“We just want to spread love in our community,” added Aria Patel, another volunteer.
The cupcakes and chocolates given out made the event sweet, but even sweeter was the fact that a good time was shared by all.
“Events like this offer a sense of community and belonging among the seniors, helping them feel connected to others and the community as a whole,” said Kim Giberti, associate executive director at The Village. “And a promise like a celebration of life. Having the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy themselves and remind themselves that age is just a number that they can still have fun and create new memories regardless of their age.”
Editor’s note: This article was written with the support of a journalism fellowship from the Gerontological Society of America, the Journalists Network on Generations, and the Silver Century Foundation. It is also part of our Aging Matters series sponsored by Elder Options.