Fulton Center Holds Its Very First Renaissance Faire
Fulton Center Staff and Residents Experience A Medieval Romp
- August 16, 2017
As featured in Mcknights, The Leader Herald, and the Fulton County Express
Residents of the Fulton Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare were transported in time to a whimsical period between the European Middle Ages and modern history.
Dressed in outfits from those centuries, both residents and staff on Wednesday participated in the facility’s first-ever Renaissance Faire.
“It gets them enthused and motivated,” said Nancy Murphy, Fulton Center's Recreation Director. “It breaks up the routine.”
Staff at the private center made the event happen for many bright-eyed senior residents, who had drawings made of themselves, were served treats and enjoyed a day under the summer sun on the facility’s courtyard and grounds.
Activities offered to residents during the Renaissance Fair included tarot card readings, a herbalist with oils, sketch artist, harpist, mini-catapults for residents to fling, seamstress, wreath toss, photo booth, art show and a live horse show. Unit Manager Alicia Opalka subjected herself to a dunk booth, and nurse Rene Mosher brought in her horse for residents to enjoy.
The event, held for the first time, is part of an ongoing effort by Activities Director Nancy Murphy and staff to provide residents with engaging activities that get residents outside to enjoy the summer.
“It brings everybody together and promotes getting to know each other in a different way,” Murphy said. “It’s fun to create interesting events for our residents. They get a sense of community and being part of a function. They get enthused, motivated and its something different to break up the routine.”
According to resident Jerry DeMaria, who had a tarot reading by Murphy, events such as this help people relax.
“We enjoy the things that they do — everybody’s having a good time,” DeMaria said. “We’re really having fun with the dunk tank.”
The City of Gloversville donated the use of the dunk tank for the event, and in 2016 for the Caribbean Cruise.
Leonard Hersh, administrator, said this year’s Renaissance Fair and last year’s event are a way to do something nice for the residents.
“It’s for the patients we take care of,” Hersh said. “Really, it's about the fact that I have such great staff who care so much about these people is the reason that we do all this.”
Hersh said its the high level of care offered that over the last two years has helped the Fulton Center raise its quality measures, which are an indicator of care, by two stars.
