Belvedere Senior Housing residents have a blast at the End of Summer Bash

August 20 was another beautiful day to be a Belvedere Senior Housing resident. The sun was shining once more, and clear blue skies invited residents to bask in the late-summer sun for the annual End of Summer Bash.

Staying on theme, residents were greeted by a local DJ spinning classic cookout tracks. Tablescapes were beach-themed and inflatable palm trees lined the outdoor space, and classic fare was on the menu. The executive director of the assisted living community delivered with all the staples: burgers, hot dogs, all the fixings, baked beans, potato salad, potato chips, and cold soda. She gave the Culinary Director the night off in honor of Chef Appreciation Day, which falls on August 22.

It was a full house, as residents were encouraged to invite family, friends, or anyone in need of a hot, home-cooked meal, especially in the wake of the recent storms that struck the area.

“We have two events every month that are always open to the public, but with everything going on right now and so many people still without power, we promoted this event even more to invite people here for a delicious meal,” said Andrea Puente, Belvedere’s Director of Marketing and Sales.

Belvedere itself lost power for nearly 10 hours on August 11 following the storm. The community received support from ServPro, based in Saginaw, Michigan, which, paired with an emergency generator, kept the building powered and safe for residents.

Boosting resident and community morale after the storm was top of mind for Puente, who welcomed residents and support staff to the event.

“Today’s event is about opening our doors to the community to offer food, and giving our residents the chance to host their loved ones. Now more than ever, it’s our hope that if someone needs a meal, they’ll come here today,” Puente said. “It’s our way of giving back to the community.”

The bash also coincided with an upcoming holiday worth celebrating: Chef Appreciation Day. Residents weren’t the only ones who got to sit back, relax, and enjoy the music — so did the culinary director, Kristen Laporte. Rather than working in the kitchen as usual, Laporte spent the afternoon eating and drinking alongside residents.

As the bash continued indoors, other residents headed to the patio to enjoy the weather.

“We have a water sprinkler system set up outdoors for those residents who may want to enjoy the sunshine and water,” Puente said.

Some brave residents rolled through the multicolored sprinklers, while others laughed and enjoyed the spectacle.

With events like the Summer Bash, it is clear why Belvedere’s level of care has been recognized repeatedly.

“We were voted best place to work in the ‘Best of the Region’ rankings last year. This year, we were voted one of the best assisted living communities,” Puente said. “Our director of nursing, Michelle Hynek, was named the No. 1 nurse in the region for the second year in a row.”

Those are statistics worth considering if you or a loved one is exploring assisted living communities that value safety, and prolonging independence.

Belvedere Senior Housing is an affordable, resort-style assisted living community for adults 55 and older, offering private studio and one-bedroom apartments with an all-inclusive lifestyle. Residents enjoy the freedom to maintain their independence while having access to 24-hour support, three restaurant-style meals and snacks daily, weekly housekeeping and laundry, and a variety of amenities and activities. Financial assistance is accepted, and our team is available to help residents explore programs they may qualify for.

Located at 343 E. 90th Drive in Merrillville, Indiana, the community draws many residents from the Lake and Porter county area. Yesterday’s event aimed to feed not just residents of Belvedere, but the community at large during a time of great need.

To learn more about Belvedere Senior Housing, see their website at gardant.com/belvedereseniorhousing.