Dec. 20, 2018

This paid piece is sponsored by Grand Living at Lake Lorraine.

Walk into Grand Living at Lake Lorraine any time of year, and you’ll be greeted by a beautiful lobby and space that continues to impress as you tour the community.

But walk in during the holiday season, and the scene somehow gets even more inviting.

“The minute I walked in, I just knew this was going to be my home,” said Lorraine Gage, who moved in earlier this year.

“It’s just the atmosphere. Everyone is so friendly and smiling.”

Elizabeth Spencer had the same experience.

“I come from the shore, from Massachusetts, and I walked into Grand Living and said, ‘Oh my goodness.’ It’s absolutely beautiful. I love the decor, and I love my apartment. I look right to Lake Lorraine, and that’s as close as I can get to the ocean. I think it’s wonderful.”

While the holiday season can be challenging for many people, the team at Grand Living takes extra care to bring the spirit to its residents.

There are floor-to-ceiling Christmas trees throughout the community, beautiful decorations everywhere from the dining rooms to the outside and so much to do that residents say they need to keep daily schedules to make sure they fit it all in.

“Grand Living is incredibly festive,” said Mary Schmitz, director of the Luminations memory care program.

“We turn it into a wonderful party pretty much every day.”

In the Luminations communities, residents gather to decorate their trees. They make ornaments together, bake cookies and wrap presents while some play the piano. Families are always invited to join.

“It’s a very joyful season here,” Schmitz said.

Holiday activities include many live musical performances, crafts, woodworking and lots of special meals.

“You don’t ever get down. There’s always somebody who lifts you up,” resident Dolores Puetz said. “Everybody is very, very happy here.”

Many times during the holidays, residents will be invited to parties with delicious food and desserts.

“It’s marvelous,” Gage said. “It seems like we have one activity after another. It’s keeping us busy between all the programs and food. I have to read my activity book every day to make sure I’m taking part in it.”

Grand Living residents also get to experience the holiday season throughout the Sioux Falls area.

“We offer trips to the mall so they can go Christmas shopping, rides to go down to the falls to see the Christmas lights and many wonderful meals,” Schmitz said.

The holiday celebration doesn’t end with Dec. 25 either.

“We have a really jazzy New Year’s Eve party,” Schmitz said. “We’ll toast with champagne and celebrate that new year. We really take it upon ourselves to be that family for our residents and be there for them and show how we want to celebrate the holiday season with them. We’re all together, and we’re all part of a family.”