Whitney Glandon, center, leads Brookdale staff in a performance for the residents. Photo courtesy of Brookdale Battery Park City
Recently, the 150 residents of Brookdale Battery Park City, many in their 90s, have been self-isolated, with meals delivered to their apartment doors and staff checking on them by phone. But on Tuesday, Brookdales’s resident programs director Whitney Glandon broke the doldrums by leading the staff downstairs in a spirited pop-up dance for residents to enjoy from their windows upstairs.
Shimmying while holding signs that, together, read, “WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER,” the troupe performed first outside one side of the building, then the next; their audience encouraged to do some moves of their own.
“We’re following all the rules, but just trying to bring a little bit of laughter. Something fun for the residents,” said Glandon, who leads Brookdale’s movement classes.
Carol Rubin, 81, said that when it was all over the effect was lasting. She said that she and an aide, Nahtenin Karamoko, did a little dance. Even Carol’s husband, Arnold, joined in from his chair.
“How can you not respond to that,” Rubin said. “After it was over Whitney made me feel, hey, she can do this. I want to do it, too.”