Residents at Signature Healthcare at Hillcrest have been preparing for trick-or-treaters all week. When staff at the nursing home posted the residents filling bags of candy for the event, the post went viral with nearly 400 shares.
Krystal Kinison, activities director at Hillcrest, said that they have been doing the Halloween event at least since she started at the facility in 2011.
“Any interaction with the younger generation is very beneficial to our elders,” Kinison said.
In prior years, Kinison said about 25 to 30 children show up to trick-or-treat and those were mainly children of staff or great grandchildren of residents. With the interest gained on social media, the nursing home is planning for a big crowd.
“I have residents every day asking if we have enough candy,” Kinison said, adding that she bought more on Wednesday.
The event was scheduled to run from 4 – 5 p.m., but hours have been extended to to 7 p.m.
There are 133 residents at Hillcrest and Kinison said most of them will participate on Thursday. Some residents will be set up in the living room area of the nursing home, while others will station themselves at their own door.
“We have a secure unit with 24 ladies on it that have some level of dementia,” Kinison said. “They will be handing out their own candy too.”
Kinison is betting for a busy evening, but one that will be rewarding for the residents she works with every day.
“They are so excited to see kid in their costumes,” she said. “It will just make their day.”
Signature Healthcare at Hillcrest is located at 3740 Old Hartford Rd. The event is open to the public.
