GLITZ & GLAMOUR. Staff at Lake Hallie Memory Care (right) assisted their senior residents (left) with a “Royal Glamour Photoshoot.” Their mission: show each senior they are beautiful, no matter their age. (Submitted photo)
Nestled in the Village of Lake Hallie, a memory care facility offers services to residents experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s. Recently, it has also welcomed a new “royal experience” – one rooted in connection (and plenty of glitz and glamour).
A recent “Royal Glamour Photoshoot” at Lake Hallie Memory Care (4407 124th St., Chippewa Falls) emphasized the center’s mission to provide a loving and purposeful home for its residents.
Abby Brame, a life enrichment coordinator at Lake Hallie Memory Care, said the event evolved from the residency’s previous spa days during the winter months.
Inspired by other glamour-focused photoshoots online, Brame and staff sought new ways to celebrate residents and combat feelings of invisibility she has at times observed from clients.
“We believe that our residents are worthy of love, of being seen, of feeling important, of having a place in our community,” Brame said. “I got choked up multiple times throughout the day, just seeing (the residents’) reaction(s).”
With the help of Michelle Monson, a photographer and registered nurse living in Eau Claire, the residency’s activity room was transformed into a glamour station – complete with hair styling, nail art and of course, royal attire and accessories.
“Even adults like to get dressed up and feel good about themselves.”
abby brame
life enrichment coordinator, Lake Hallie Memory Care
“Nursing and photography are both about caring for people,” Monson said. “One allows me to support individuals physically and emotionally in moments of need, while the other allows me to preserve the beauty of their lives and relationships.
“Both careers are rooted in compassion and connection,” Monson continued.
Stations during the spa day and royal glamour photoshoot were specifically tailored to different gemstone colors, where residents could select accessories that matched their color of choice.
Fabric tules of ruby red, emerald green and sapphire blue were paired with floral adornments, bespoke crowns and other personalized touches to showcase each models’ individuality.
Three seniors (pictured above) adorn hand-selected floral crowns for their glamour photoshoot. (Photos by Michelle Monson)
“Nursing and photography are both about caring for people; Both careers are rooted in compassion and connection.”
Michelle monson
Michelle Monson Photography
“It was like getting to play dress up,” Brame said. “Even adults like to get dressed up and feel good about themselves. It was just so fun to let them be a part of that process and have a say.”
The ability to boost a senior’s confidence, no matter what age or ability they possess, continues to be a source of pride for Monson. “We don’t always remember details or all the special moments as we age. But, having a photograph will help jog the memory of that special time in our lives,” she said.
This fairytale has a happy ending! Another senior (pictured above) adorns a blue jewel-toned dress, paired with a matching crown, tule and pearls. (Photo by Michelle Monson)
Brame agreed with this sentiment; once the memory care center received the final images, all residents got together in the very same activity room to view a slideshow of themselves.
To see the residents’ live reactions, Brame shared, was one of the many highlights in this experience.
“Everybody would cheer and clap when they would see the next photo of one of their neighbors,” Brame said. “It was so cute to show (residents) how we see them; show them that they are beautiful, no matter their age.”
Whether it be from the memory care staff or photographers who collaborate with them, the story goes beyond a self-care photo session: the seniors at Lake Hallie Memory Care possess capabilities far greater than many people realize.
“They want to feel like they have a purpose still in life and they do – they spread joy,” Brame said.
Lake Hallie Memory Care provides assisted living services for seniors living in Barron, Chippewa, Dunn and Eau Claire county. To learn more, visit memorycarepartners.com/lake-hallie. Check out the complete collection of images from the “Royal Glamour Photoshoot,” online via Facebook (@LakeHallieMemoryCareLLC).