Some dreams do come true

At least one resident at every Jaybird Senior Living communities will be given the opportunity for staff to make one of their dreams come true with their signature Dare to Dream program.

Under the new management of Jaybird Senior Living, Addington Place has been able to put a name to the way they choose to go above and beyond for their residents.

The Dare to Dream program is the perfect reflection of Jaybird’s Red Carpet Philosophy where staff is encouraged to pull out all the stops for residents.

A glimpse of the Red Carpet Philosophy was on display at Addington Place’s recent Alive After 5 event.

Daily, residents are treated to the Red Carpet Philosophy with delicious food prepared by chefs with over 25 years of experience, and guests of the Alive After 5 who ate some of this food would be hard pressed to disagree.

According to Addington Place Community Relations Coordinator Cody Flietner the senior living community staff has had a heart beat for this kind of treatment for a long time.

Before the birth of the official Dare to Dream program, Flietner heard about Jack and Nona Roe’s 75th wedding anniversary and set to work to make it a special event.

Flietner asked questions of the couple to find out as much as he could about their happy marriage.

“Learning about their past is my favorite part,” Flietner said.

Then, in January 2021, the Addington Staff surprised the couple with an anniversary party complete with cake, their wedding music, and a beautiful balloon arch.

Flietner is excited that there is now managerial and financial support to treat Addington’s remarkable residents to well-deserved dreams come true.

The inaugural Dare to Dream event was a private date for two of the residence inspired by their 1952 prom.

The couple were even given corsages for the occasion.

Later this month Flietner will be accompanying an avid Cubs fan to a game at Wrigley Field.

“She loves the Cubs so much,” Flietner said, “that she wants Henry Carey’s ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ played at her funeral.”

Not all of the dreams will be nearly as elaborate as the goal is focused on providing a sweet memory for residents and family.

Next month there is a simple plan to take a resident back to Salem so she can visit the house she grew up in.

Of course Flietner wanted to ensure it was a lasting memory, though, so the resident will take the trip in a limousine.

“They deserve every bit of this,” Flietner said with a wide grin across his face.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com