Local seniors celebrate first-ever 'Senior Prom' at assisted living facility

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Residents at one senior living facility got to attend senior prom this week.

"I just feel rejuvenated. Very happy!" said 96-year-old resident Ramona Baumann.

Baumann was just one of the dozens of residents at St. Camillus Life Plan Community who dressed to nine and donned corsages for the community's first-ever senior prom.

The event was put on for assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing residents. With the theme being "Fly Me to the Moon," residents enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and live jazz music from the Chicago Diamond Trio.

Residents CBS 58 spoke to said they were appreciative this prom was put on in their honor because they feel seniors are often pushed to the side, but on Wednesday, they were the stars of the show. Staff members even helped give manicures, apply makeup, and do the hair of the residents.

Event organizer Dana Roesner, the Recreation Therapy Manager for Skilled Nursing at St. Camillus, said she was inspired to put on the prom after attending a similar event with her grandmother.

"They did a senior prom," she said.

"She didn't want to go, but we got her dressed and ready to go, and she had the best time, and we danced the night away. So, I thought it would be so much fun to bring it here to our residents."

Roesner said getting residents out of bed and excited about events like this does wonders for their overall well-being.