Prom season remained in full swing in mid-June at Rogerson Communities’ Adult Day Health (ADH) program. The older adult participants in this important support program have enjoyed this Rogerson tradition for the last eight years (with a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic).

As guests started arriving for the prom, there was definitely a different energy in the air than most days at ADH. For one thing, instead of entering the usual activity and exercise rooms, they filed into the auditorium housed at Rogerson’s administrative office. The lofty space was set up with long tables topped with decorations, and masses of blue and purple balloons flanked the stage where a DJ was getting to work.

The participants’ style was visibly elevated as well. Some folks were in jackets and ties, maybe finishing their ensemble with a dapper hat. Others sported eye-grabbing patterns of sequins and sparkles on dresses in reds, purples, blues, and greens. On this day, people were dressed to be seen.

And because it was prom, after all, staff circulated throughout the room making sure that everyone who wanted one had a corsage or boutonniere of silk flowers to complement their look — all handmade by participants in the days leading up to the event.

As ADH Activities Coordinator Nora Vincent explains, annual celebrations like this, that participants can put on their calendars and get excited about, serve a crucial purpose at Rogerson.

“It’s one way that we build community, by having our own traditions. This has been a day of joy that people look forward to — there’s pictures of it up around the building from years past,” Nora shares. “And it’s a lot to live up to! You’ve got to make sure that you meet the expectation and make it a great and memorable day.”

It was clear that the day would be memorable as soon as DJ Robert Peters started spinning classic soul and R&B tracks by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Solomon Burke, and Al Green. But it was James Brown’s “The Big Payback” that got people up and dancing, and even some who stayed seated sang, clapped, and bopped along. The music got the participants moving in every way they were able to, whether with canes, walkers, wheelchairs, or on two feet.

“The hits are the hits, you know,” says Robert, when asked how he chose the music for the event. “They even like stuff [from] Naughty By Nature. They like the line dances. And they remember — I go back and I play things, and they remember the cuts.”

Robert has performed at the event almost every year since its inception in 2018, donating his services for free. As a caregiver himself, he says, he has an appreciation for Rogerson’s mission and is happy to help support it.

“Sometimes you gotta do a little over and above,” he says. “It’s just a way of giving back, because they do a lot. They provide a great service.”

By the time lunch was served, there were around 100 prom-goers in attendance. Dozens of Rogerson staff pitched in to support. From van drivers to nurses to accounting staff, they were serving meals, collecting trash, or engaging participants to make sure everyone was safe and having a good time. They even helped out by taking endless photographs of people posing in front of a balloon-decked backdrop to commemorate the day.

Eventually lunch wound down, but the party did not — a team from the Community Music Center of Boston (CMCB) arrived to take over the musical duties from the DJ. These music therapists are regular visitors to the ADH program but were here on this special day to cap things off with request-based singalongs, karaoke, participatory percussion, and, yes, more dancing. CMCB uses music at Rogerson to work on non-musical goals, like gait training, maintaining a walking pace, and range of motion. But as AJ Gaudreau, one of the therapists, explains, they address some cognitive and memory-related goals for participants as well.

“We use things like reminiscence and music from their childhood, things that really resonate with them, as a way to bring out a lot of opportunities for connection, not just with us, but with one another,” AJ says. “And taking the opportunity to have these big celebrations I think makes it really special and highlights how interconnected everyone is.”

By the end of the day, it was obvious that this connection among ADH participants was as strong as ever. And for at least one attendee, Eugene, pictured below between two ADH staff, the event marked a special milestone.

“This is my first prom ever — never went to a prom,” he declared with a grin. Despite the decades-long delay, his experience shows that it’s never too late.

“This is a 79-year-old body, but I’ve still got a move or two!”