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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The week of Sunday, Sept. 8 will mark the launch of a weeklong celebration at the Gardens of Pelham assisted living community as the facility partakes in its observance of National Assisted Living Week.

Gardens of Pelham will join alongside tens of thousands of other assisted living communities across the United States in observance of the occasion, which continues through Saturday, Sept. 14 and encourages communities to highlight and observe the dedication of staff, the personal stories of residents and the connections that are born in their communities.

With the theme of “Inspiring Generations,” this year’s focus will include the presentation of a number of activities and demonstrations that encompass the relationships shared between senior residents and younger generations.

“This year’s National Assisted Living Week is a special time to recognize and thank those who truly make assisted living communities across the country a loving home,” said Shewana Pickett, administrator of the Gardens of Pelham assisted living facility. “The theme, ‘Inspiring Generations’ is a wonderful opportunity to listen and learn from each other. Our residents have been around for long enough to witness and experience a wide range of life events, and each one of them has a wealth of knowledge to share. After all, one of the perks of working with seniors is to listen to their life experiences and to find inspiration from those around us.”

The Gardens of Pelham has announced two specific community events that will take place over the course of the week.

The first will be the Gardens of Pelham Chili Crockpot Cook-Off which will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Beginning at 1 p.m., the event is intended to serve as an opportunity for community residents and their friends and family to gather together in friendly competition. The event as described will also serve as an opportunity for families to share recipes, sample other resident’s cooking and enjoy fellowship.

The second event will be a community presentation of family trees scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.

“Whether it’s something as small as a quick tip or as big as an inspiring story, there’s a lot that we can learn from them,” Pickett said. “By embracing their wisdom and applying it to our own lives, we can be better and more fulfilled.”

Families have already been informed of the event and have been asked to explore their family histories in order to create family tree presentations. According to event organizers, the event will serve as an opportunity to learn about the lives and ancestry of other families and community residents.

“We encourage members of the community to stay connected and visit the Garden of Pelham’s social media pages for important updates during National Assisted Living Week,” Pickett said. “Engaging with our residents is a rewarding experience and makes a tremendous difference in their lives. Our residents pass down a wealth of knowledge and inspire us every day.”