Residents at Troy Health & Rehab celebrate with parade

By Tyler Spivey

There was a lot of commotion going on at the Troy Health and Rehabilitation Center on Thursday afternoon.

It was the center’s first-ever Fourth of July parade, hosted this year by Hospice Advantage in Troy.

Residents decorated their wheelchairs, dressed up in holiday hats and jewelry and “paraded” through the whole facility – blowing celebration horns along the way.

“We’re just going through the nursing home celebrating the Fourth of July,” said Jan Sullivan, who works with Hospice Advantage and helped organize the event. “We felt like this would be something that the residents could get involved in.”

Sullivan said that not every resident was able to participate because of mobility or other issues, so the staff and participants visited those rooms to deliver gifts and spread Independence Day cheer.

“Any kind of excitement they really enjoy because it’s different,” Sullivan said. “Anything we can do to bring a smile to their face, we love.”

After the parade, the residents enjoyed ice cream and holiday music.

Activities Coordinator Janette Dawkins said seeing the resident’s faces and the community support was the most enjoyable part of the parade for her.

“I’m glad for all the support, Dawkins said.

“It was really awesome and the residents really enjoyed it.”

Resident Harvey Jones said he enjoyed the event and it had been a “special day” for him and the others at the center.

Volunteer work is available at the Troy Health and Rehabilitation Center, for more information visit troyhealthandrehab.com or contact the business office at 334-566-0880.