At least two dozen brightly-decorated vehicles paraded past the Diamond House care home in Warman on Wednesday, April 22 in a show of love and support for residents of the facility.
Led by an RCMP cruiser, the cavalcade stretched several blocks, winding past the front entrance and circling back along the street in front of residents’ rooms. Many of the vehicles carried placards saying how much family members loved and missed their parents and grandparents.
Residents in the facility waved to the people in the vehicles as they passed by.
Adding to the festive atmosphere were some costumed people in inflatable chicken suits and assorted super heroes.
The parade was live-streamed on facebook for family members who weren’t able to be there in person.
Diamond House is also home to a preschool, the Little Learners Preschool. Ever since the restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic were implemented in mid-March, the preschool children have not been able to connect on a one-to-one basis with the seniors.
The parade was aimed at strengthening that connection between generations, and also to provide family members with a way of showing how much they miss their loved ones, according to Diamond House administrator Kelvin Ooms.
In an interview outside the facility following the parade, Ooms said having the preschool in the seniors home is good for everyone.
“We are so honoured and privileged to have Little Learners preschool here,” said Ooms. “We couldn’t ask for a better group of people to be running that preschool and having the interaction between the generations.
“Ever since the COVID-19 thing hit, there’s been a big void,” he added. “Not having the preschool kids here means we’re missing a huge piece of the home.
“All the grandmas and grandpas here are always asking about the little ones, and we hear that the kids are always asking about how the grandmas and grandpas are.”
Ooms said the parade was organized by Little Learners Preschool leaders Candace Clayton and Cindy Hrapchak.
“At first it was just supposed to be the parents, but then we thought, why not take it to another level?
“The City of Warman was invited and the RCMP and the fire department. We wanted to get out as many people as we could, because our residents and the little ones deserve it.”
Ooms said a lot of the residents gathered in the common rooms of the facility to watch the parade and wave to the participants, while others took in the spectacle from their own rooms.
“It was great,” he said. “Everyone really enjoyed it and I think it really brightened up the day for the residents and staff.”
Ooms said life inside the care home is carrying on quite well despite the COVID-19 restrictions. Staff and essential service personnel wear masks and personal protective equipment and every precaution is taken to prevent the introduction of the virus into the home.
“We have a very resilient group of residents here and they’re handling it very well,” he said. “Everyone is healthy, and we want to keep it that way.”
Ooms said family members come to the facility often visit, standing outside the windows and talking to their loved ones via phone.
“The communication is happening every day,” he said. “Everyone just has to be a little more creative.”