Senior Residents Participate in Rainbow-Filled Pride Walk

In a festive celebration of friendship, family, solidarity, equality, and love, dozens of residents and team members participated in Laurel Circle’s 2nd Annual Pride Walk on the life plan community’s Bridgewater, NJ, campus.

Residents from Independent Living and The Arbor Health Center proudly waved rainbow flags as they walked Laurel Circle’s beautiful 28-acre campus to show their support for people in the LGBTQ+ community.

“We walked in support of our friends, neighbors, and family members — and in some cases, ourselves,” explained Laurel Circle’s Community Life Services Director, Leah Jennings, who organized the walk.

The senior living community’s Pride event has grown since last year’s inspiring start. Director of Sales & Marketing Eric L. Eichhorst noted that one couple was so excited about the first annual walk that they participated even before they moved in later in the summer of 2021. “They both walked as full-fledged residents this year,” he said.

“Laurel Circle is very proud of being a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community,” said Executive Director Brian Alexopoulos, who wore a rainbow heart and equal sign t-shirt to the walk.

Also seen were many rainbow masks, a large “Love Always Wins” banner, a “Bee Yourself” shirt with an adorable rainbow bee on it, a “Love is Love” shirt, rainbow mouse ears, rainbow heart and flag pins, and plenty of smiles.

Laurel Circle also used the event as a fundraiser for Sage, a non-profit which provides extensive advocacy and services for LGBTQ+ elders. LGBTQ+ older people face unique caregiving challenges because they are less likely to have kids, more likely to be single, and more likely to be estranged from families of origin. Sage’s work also includes initiatives to combat social isolation, and improve healthcare and housing services for LGBTQ+ seniors.

“Helping Sage was a perfect fit for us,” said Jennings, who sported a cheery rainbow tutu at the walk. “Laurel Circle is all about improving the health and wellness of our senior residents and we are happy to facilitate peers helping peers in this way. In addition, I’m thrilled to report that Laurel Circle’s parent company, LCS, matched our gift to Sage.”

To learn more about Sage, visit www.sageusa.org.

To learn more about Laurel Circle’s friendly, wellness-focused, and community-minded approach to senior living, visit www.laurelcirclelcs.com.