18-Year-Old's Favorite Place: Silverado Senior Living

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Most teenagers spend their summers staying out late, tanning at the beach, and enjoying their last days of freedom.   That's not the case with 18-year-old Corey Permann, who used the season to figure out a way to bring joy to seniors with Alzheimer's and other memory-impairments at Silverado Senior Living – Escondido in Escondido, California.

While most children are lucky enough to know their grandparents, Corey grew up with dozens of them.  This is because his mother, Carilyn Long, has worked at Silverado for the past seven years.  Thanks to the company's philosophy that children should be an integral part of the community's environment, Carilyn began bringing Corey to work with her on a regular basis when he was 12.

"I was always comfortable having him at Silverado," said Long. "Between the caregivers, nurses, other associates and the residents, there is always a really good feeling here. Silverado is a warm living environment. If there isn't a club event or activity happening, pets are running down the hallways and people are interacting. Our Silverado associates really know their residents and they love their work. It was a great learning environment for Corey."

Corey said:  "I used to visit the communities and help the activities director with games and outings."  While other kids his age were sometimes uneasy around seniors, he said, "I am always comfortable with older people because I'm used to it. I grew up with them."

Nearing completion of becoming an Eagle Scout, Corey wanted to do something special for the residents. Knowing many of them love the outdoors and gardening, he decided to build a portable planter box for residents to plant, tend and enjoy.

To acquire funding for his project, Corey sought donations from local businesses. After receiving a large contribution from Ace Coolers, he asked his friends to help with a fund-raising car wash to obtain the rest of the money needed for supplies. Working with Silverado's plant operations team, Corey built and painted the box in three days. Once complete, he invited the residents to help plant flowers.

"My favorite part was working with everyone to fill the planter. It just feels good to make the residents happy," Corey said.

Now planted, residents and associates enjoy the generous gift from Corey, a young man who grew up and gave back to Silverado.

Silverado Senior Living offers assisted living memory-care as well as home care, care management and hospice care through its Silverado At Home and Silverado Hospice service lines.  It is based in Irvine, Calif. and operates in 34 locations across California, Texas, Utah, and Arizona. Its website is www.Silveradosenior.com.

SOURCE Silverado Senior Living