LYNN — The Lynn Home for Elderly Persons put a new twist on gardening Monday afternoon, instead of watering petunias or pansies, residents tended to staff members decked out as blooms.
Residents and staff gathered on the front lawn, turning the area into a makeshift garden, with staff and members of the home’s board of directors dressed as flowers and residents armed with mini-water guns. Laughter from both staff and residents filled the air on a warm afternoon.
As the laughter continued, members of the home’s staff and board walked through the group of residents — a brave feat, considering they were all armed with water pistols and ready to let loose. Spurts of water shot through the air, no doubt cooling on a warm summer day.
Other residents overlooked the event from the home’s front steps, away from the water but holding their own water guns, including Marie Bourgeois, who has lived at the home for two years.
Bourgeois said she enjoys the events held at the home, particularly the exercise events.
Also perched on the steps overlooking the event was Stephen Zeramby, a 7-year resident, who said the staff at the home are great and he enjoys watching football on the home’s large T.V.
The idea for the event sprouted from the Home for Elderly Persons Activities staff, Sue Heffelman, and her assistant, Chelsea Webster.
Webster said she drew inspiration from other events hosted at the home, including having residents shoot staff with Nerf guns during the holidays.
For Heffleman, who has worked at the home for 45 years, her motivation comes from the joy and energy the residents bring.
“Just seeing them so happy, and to be engaged, and doing things that they can be proud of themselves for,” Heffleman said. “That is what brings me joy every day.”
For the home’s director, Carrie Baird, her work is not just a job but a calling, and she sees the people there as a true community.
“When we gather like this, and we see each other in these moments of laughing and having fun, I think it pulls us all back to that, that this is who we are. We are our community — we’re family,” she said.
She added, “I love it. I think what most people don’t realize is that older adults have so much to teach us, so much life experience, and to be able to look at life through their perspective, I mean, it’s wisdom. You can’t put a price on that. I learn something new every day. They make me smile every day.”
Board Member Ted Ball, who dodged shots of water behind the petals of an inflatable flower at the event, said he was introduced to the home when his mother lived there, calling the facility a “gem.”
He praised the home’s cleanliness, warm, attentive staff, and active board members who contribute to the home’s success.
The Lynn Home for Elderly Persons also offers a full slate of in-house activities and events for its 32 residents, including art projects, games, trivia and movie days, shopping, beach excursions, and lighthearted gatherings.
The home also features a cafeteria, an on-site hair salon, screened-in porches, and, of course, much to Zeramby’s delight, a large TV.
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
