Kathleen Bryant, originally of Pleasant Hill, right, smiles at Brookdale Troy’s Executive Director Michael Hyslope, dressed as a hot dog, as Brookdale’s Memory Care Activities Coordinator Nyla Johnson, dressed as mustard, looks on behind her, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Brookdale Troy on South Stanfield Road on National Senior Citizens Day. Gil Heckel, Brookdale Troy sales/marketing manager, top left, and Sally and Bill Strebig, from Troy, bottom, also listen in.
Sheryl Roadcap | Miami Valley Today
Troy Mayor Robin Oda, top left, engages in a conversation over a meal with Kathleen Bryant, originally of Pleasant Hill, right, and Sally and Bill Strebig, from Troy, bottom left, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Brookdale Troy on South Stanfield Road on National Senior Citizens Day.
Sheryl Roadcap | Miami Valley Today
By Sheryl Roadcap
TROY — Brookdale Troy celebrated National Senior Citizens Day on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
The assisted living facility held a luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, with grilled hot dogs, hamburgers and the fixings with residents’ family members, Troy Mayor Robin Oda and staff members on the day the nation celebrates seniors.
“We try to do special events and make it special here for (the residents),” said Gil Heckel, Brookdale Troy sales/marketing manager, in the home’s dining room that was full of attendees during the luncheon. He noted they have various activities that helps facilitate social interaction at the facility.
Heckel said they coordinated the day, which has held in the front dinning area adorned with large balloon displays, with a housewarming party for new residents. After lunch they had corn hole, darts and other games and activities available for everyone to join in the fun.
Bill and Sally Strebig, who have been married for 68 years and has lived in Troy since 1984, said the day was nice and were enjoying their lunch. They, along with Kathleen Bryant, originally of Pleasant Hill, shared a table for lunch with Oda.
Caregiver John Goings, of Piqua, gushed about loving working with the residents at Brookdale. He said he has been working there for over seven years and is about to finish a degree to continue his career in the industry.
“They are our second family here,” Going said with a smile.
Brookdale Troy has an assisted living section and a second area devoted to those who struggle with their memory, called memory care.
According to Brookdale’s website, assisted living provides help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing and mobility, as well as with coordination with outside care providers and medication management. Staff can also handle cooking, cleaning and home maintenance on your behalf.
In memory care, they provide specially designed environments and associates trained to care for seniors living with cognitive challenges, including Alzheimer’s and dementia. They guide residents through research-backed activities that give them the chance to explore new hobbies, socialize and nurture their current level of skills.
