Nursing home staff creates their own in-home Thanksgiving day parade for residents

For many, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has longtime been an integral part of their turkey-day traditions.

According to a report by 2WGRZ, residents at Catholic Health’s McAuley Residence in Kenmore, New York, won’t have to wait till Thursday for the parade - they experienced their own personal parade earlier this week.

That’s because the staff at the long-term care facility created their own socially distanced “McAuley Thanksgiving Day Parade,” the report said.

Staff, dressed in costumes, paraded around the facility, carrying animal balloon “floats,” and even planned a special appearance from Santa, the report said.

Why did they do it?

The coronavirus pandemic has hit nursing homes particularly hard, and many have restricted family visits for residents.

So, during a year when many residents won’t be allowed in-person Thanksgiving visits with family, the report cited staff, who said they planned the celebration because “it was something small they could do to help make the holiday special.”

“I thought of the big parade in New York City,” said Activities Director Theresa Cavanagh. “So I went and bought a lot of animal balloons, had them all blown up at Party City, and we put on the parade and it worked out well. We loved it because it made the residents smile,” the report quoted.

Along with their own Thanksgivng parade, the 2WGRZ report noted that residents will be treated to a full turkey dinner, cooked by McAuley staff.

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