November 30, 2015
Shana Strickland, clinical coordinator for the Continuing Care Unit at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre goofs around with Denise Wilkinson, Area Manager for Seniors Health in Fort McMurray during the Grand Ole Opry Classic Country Night. AHS staff worked together with various community partners to bring the night to life and offer seniors in the community a night of fun, music and dancing.
Story by Kirsten Goruk
The cafeteria at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre (NLRHC) was transformed one night, as seniors from the community came dressed in their country finery, ready for a night of music, dancing and fun.
The first ever Grand Ole Opry Classic Country Night proved to be a smashing success. As Denise Wilkinson, Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) Area Manager for Seniors Health in Fort McMurray, explains, the idea for the event sprung from a desire to bring seniors in the city together.
“It really started with AHS staff looking at mental health and then it became about seniors and how we can support seniors who might be isolated in the community,” she says.
From there, AHS staff in seniors care, health promotion, mental health and aboriginal health partnered with St. Aidan’s Society and the Office of Traffic Safety to bring it to life. And that teamwork meant everything, says Wilkinson.
“It’s critical. I don’t think anyone of us could have done it on our own, but together we’re quite the formidable force.”
Come Oct. 23, it had all come together. Seniors from the community joined residents of the NLRHC’s long-term care unit in the cafeteria and they were treated to live music from several local bands, plenty of dance space and coffee, tea and snacks. Those coming from outside the hospital were even offered a special valet service for parking, with escorts to help them into the building.
“Everyone was encouraged to dress up in Grand Ole Opry style, so a little bit country with a little bit of elegance,” Wilkinson says.
“It was wonderful. It was so well received. We had around 70 people attend. We had a photo booth, which was free and everyone was dressed up, used the props and got pictures taken.”
Frank Gibot, 61, has been a resident of the continuing care unit for over 10 years. In that time, he’s never had a night quite like the Grand Ole Opry.
“I quite enjoyed it, it was good. One of the singers was really great and we danced quite a bit. It would be nice to have another one. It was a really good, new idea,” he says.
Wilkinson says that she and the other organizers were so happy with how it all came together.
“It was everything we wanted and more. The organizers got so much out of it too. It was so nice to see everyone enjoy themselves. Because it was at the hospital it was open to everybody,” she says.
“We all got asked about when the next one would be. The seniors feel that this is something new, that they didn’t have access to and we’re so glad we were able to fill that gap. I think we’re going to aim to have the next one around Easter.”
