Starr of the show at Alexis Pointe

Imagine being responsible for the lives of senior individuals in assisted living under lockdown because of COVID-19. The necessary procedures make it difficult, if not impossible, for many normal forms of socialization. How do you keep them occupied and safe while doing it? Ask Katy Starr of Alexis Pointe Senior Living.

Katy has recently been promoted to the Community Relations position from Activity Director. Her responsibilities were to keep residents entertained and occupied. Some of the most recent activities she scheduled were the performance of belly dancers outside residents’ viewing windows during the Christmas season, trick or treat with the community’s children, hallway bingo, an opera recital outside, a WHS cheer practice and other activities for residents within.

It takes creativity to come up with ways to engage with residents in a COVID-friendly way. Starr loves her job and it shows. “There’s a lot I have to coordinate, but it’s well worth it,” she said.

She was born in Austin but also spent a lot of time in Lampasas.

“We have 10 acres out there,” qualifying her for both the city girl and country girl titles. She graduated from St. Edward’s University in Communications and headed into a sales job at the Circuit of the Americas.

“But then I wanted to pursue music, my passion. I played around Austin and the surrounding area, even Costa Rica. I realized that I wanted a little more structure. I love people and wanted to share music with them.”

That is when she got involved with memory care activities and it was “magical.” Although a person’s memory seems to be erased, music and songs are often remembered. “You play a song and it’s familiar. They know all the lyrics, and how the tune goes. It sort of wakes them up. Music brought passion to the seniors. This is something I could do, bring life out of people.” And she has.

“I’ve been in senior living and care for over three years. I get people excited about our senior facility. With COVID-19, families have to go through hoops about moving. But it is worth it.”

Some of the events planned are shoe-ins, but occasionally they take a bit more selling to get a pass. “Selling (the idea of belly dancing outside) to my bosses raised some eyebrows, but they told me to go ahead… I was a member (of the group) a year before in the community center at San Marcos. They are super cute, amazing girls, but I don’t do classes anymore.” She continued.

“I asked them and they said ‘Yes.’ …They also did a belly dance for the independent living class outside, socially distanced… They’ve also appeared at the EmilyAnn Butterfly Festival.” There were plenty of other events too. At Christmas, carolers caroled outside for the inside residents.

Trick or treat was also fun, engaging community children and residents alike. Residents packed candy to be handed out at ‘Treat’ stations and residents viewed the cute costumes on the kids.

“Creatively, how do you get the community involved when all they can do is window visit? It’s so sad that we couldn’t have trick or treaters come in. And then it came to me. What about Treat stations?” Flyers were made and families invited to donate candy for the festivities.

“It was a benefit for parents and kiddos. The opportunity to trick or treat, come dressed up and the residents get to see them.”

Now with Community Relations, Katy is still interested in community events that could be held at Alexis Pointe and asks the community to submit ideas about how to interact with residents who are quarantined.

“I hope the article inspires people in the community thinking through that lens and see how they can inspire moments of joy or connection with the seniors at Alexis Pointe.”