Senior citizens get opportunity to relive “Senior” Prom

An assisted living home in Lincoln threw its residents their very own “Senior” Prom night!

Sunday’s event was put on by the Independence Houses in north Lincoln.

It all started with community members responding to a Facebook post asking for donations to help put the special event on.

As part of a special event, around 60 residents and their families got to enjoy some authentic prom festivities.

“Oh, what a wonderful, wonderful day it is for all of us,” said Louisa “Lou” Lessman, a 96-year old woman who got to relive her youth once more.

It all started out as an idea for a small dance.

It has since turned into a full–blown “Senior” prom for the residents of all three Independence Houses in Lincoln.

“Staff has come in and volunteered their own time to do hair and makeup and get the ladies and men dressed so that was really pretty cool to have staff who are that passionate to come in and volunteer their own time,” said Christine Gillespie, Director of Nursing.

The Independence House offers assisted living for people with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia.

“One of the things with dementia is their short term memory is usually not so good, but their long term memory is right on spot so this is something they remember from years ago that they can really focus on,” said Gillespie.

Lou Lessman says she hasn’t dressed this nicely since her college days.

Her son Gene came out to be her dance partner for the event.

This event wouldn’t have been made possible without generous donations from businesses and community members who responded to a Facebook post asking for clothing, jewelry and decorations.

“I’m 96 now, so I haven’t done this for so long I’m not sure I know how to act now, but with my friends here helping me, they’ll keep me on the straight and narrow,” said Lessman.

Lessman says she used to be quite the dancer in her youth.

She was over the moon with excitement to be able to share this memory with her close friends and family.

“If I could dance I would be out there jitterbugging with all of them,” said Lessman.