Holidays at StoryPoint Chesterton are similar to the nostalgic stories of Christmas: a decorated tree standing tall, stockings hung with care, and jolly staff members and residents everywhere. It’s one of Executive Director Matthew Fellows’ favorite seasons at StoryPoint because of this irreplaceable holiday spirit.
“There is a very positive morale here that has been around for the last few months because of the holidays,” Fellows said.
According to Fellows, the festivities for Christmas started at the beginning of the month. Each resident got a knock on their door with a sweet surprise to kick off December.
“We started this month off by giving each resident their own stocking for their apartment,” Fellows said. “Then, we add a gift to their stocking every single week leading up to Christmas.”
The gift-giving doesn’t stop there, though. StoryPoint Chesterton and its staff will finish out Christmas with one “finale” present for each resident as a way to ring in the special day.
When it came to decorating the facility, residents assisted with the Christmas tree and other festive decor to make the area feel welcoming for residents and family members alike.
“We have the residents engaged in decorating around the holidays because this is their home, this is their community, so we want them to be as engaged as they choose to be,” Fellows said.
The staff at StoryPoint Chesterton have also lended a helping hand during the holiday season. Fellows’ team is what makes the season so extraordinary.
“We’re here for one purpose, and that’s to serve our residents,” Fellows said.
To remind residents of the Christmas cheer, staff have been wearing their holiday gear around the facility and participating in their own holiday activities to keep the atmosphere at StoryPoint Chesterton merry and bright.
Regardless of the season, it always feels like Christmas morning when the staff heads into work for the day.
“It does not feel like a job,” Fellows said. “You always come to work with a smile on your face.”
Fellows said he and his staff are always trying to encourage residents to “dream big” during the holiday season with their program that helps residents reach their own individual goals.
“Throughout the year, we’re always asking our residents, ‘What’s one big dream of yours that you’d like to accomplish?’ and we love to push for that,” Fellows said.
In StoryPoint Chesterton’s two years of operation, the organization has sent one resident to Maine as a way for her to finish her mission of visiting all 50 states. It was something that Fellows will never forget.
“We orchestrated a flight, hotel, and everything. We gave her an experience in Maine in order for her to scratch it off her bucket list,” Fellows said.
The senior living community also helped another resident fulfill her dream of participating in a messy, movie-like food fight. Despite the clean up, StoryPoint Chesterton made it happen.
“We had a large food fight in our community for the resident,” Fellows said.
During this time of year, Fellows wants to send a reminder to StoryPoint Chesterton’s residents and families that they are always welcomed, appreciated, and loved.
“We make sure every single resident feels appreciated. We check on each resident each day to see how they are doing and how we can make their day better,” Fellows said.
To learn more about StoryPoint Chesterton, visit its website here.