‘It has just been so uplifting’: Care facility residents visit loved ones during drive-by parade

Published 3:22 pm CDT, Friday, April 24, 2020

On Tuesday, Memory Care of New Braunfels was filled with tears, laughter and smiles as more than four dozen cars participated in a drive-by parade to say hello to the loved ones they aren’t able to visit during the COVID-19 crisis.

All of the elderly residents at the assisted-living facility have Alzheimers or dementia. Because of the fragility of their minds, the staff said they have been avoiding telling them about the crisis in order to not scare them. Although they don’t fully understand what is happening with the pandemic, it has been especially difficult for families who can’t visit their loved ones.

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“We have arranged virtual visits and families have been able to stand outside their windows, but it’s hard because the residents don’t understand why their families can’t come inside,” said Kacie Carroll, director of business development for Memory Care. “We have adapted for the families, but I couldn’t imagine what it feels like to not be able to see your mom and dad for almost two months, even though the families understand it is for their loved ones health and safety.”

So to help, the staff organized a drive-by parade so families could be reunited safely.

All 64 residents were taken outside, and each had a personalized sign to display as the parade went by. Carroll said the staff worked hard to make each sign custom to the resident, writing down phrases or expressions commonly used by the resident.

Cars were decked out in colorful decorations with music and signs, and even some pooches got to join in on the fun. The 18-wheelers that passed by the facility honked their horns and the New Braunfels Police Department even participated with its marked Corvette, which was a hit among the men, Carroll said.

“When the residents saw the vehicles, their faces just lit up, even if it wasn’t their own family in the vehicle they loved getting to see the decorations and the signs,” Carroll said.

“For some of the residents, because of their condition, we don’t let them go out the front doors, so they were just excited because that was the first time they had gotten to do that,” she said.

For the families and the staff, the parade was emotional.  Because of the hardships of the pandemic, to be reunited and see smiling faces — even from afar — brought tears to every staff member, Carroll said.

“I was trying to take pictures and could barely see through my viewfinder because of the tears in my eyes,” Carroll said. “To watch their faces just light up, it was emotional, this was probably one of the most touching events we have ever done.”

Because of the size of the facility, the community is tight-knit and those driving by were able to see all of the residents that they had come to know, Carroll said.

“The best part is that our families know everyone here so they could say hi to everyone that drove by,” Carroll said. “We even had families who’s loved ones have passed on over the last year, but still came out because they missed seeing everyone here.”

Because of Tuesday’s success, Memory Care is already planning a second parade for Cinco De Mayo that they expect to be even bigger and more festive.

“It has just been so uplifting and it was the best event we have put on for our residents,” Carroll said.

Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | [email protected] | @TaylorPettaway

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