San Diego Senior Community Grows Closer by Celebrating 4th of July Together with Potluck

SAN DIEGO, CA - Residents at Versa at Civita held a patriotic potluck the Tuesday before the 4th of July. Jelena Predojevic, the community's PSCDC Resident Services Coordinator, has been making a sincere effort in organizing community events like the potluck as part of her essential on-site services. Residents from the neighboring Siena Apartments, were also invited to join in the fun.

Residents arrived to the event bringing their delicious contributions which provided plenty of food for everyone. Jelena also decorated the community room with red, white, and blue decorations to create an atmosphere that matched the occasion.

Community events like the potluck hosted by Jelena have become a favorite thorughout all PSCDC properties. These events have been a key service offered by PSCDC, as it helps introduce PSCDC staff and services to residents, brings the community together, encourages residents to be involved within their community, and foster a sense of community and camaraderie. The opportunities to socialize with one another and to step out of the house are especially important for our senior communities.

"Community events are loved by residents and are an ideal opportunity to gather more people in one place," said Jelena. "Seniors are often lonely; many have no communication even with family members or neighbors."

Jelena also offers her senior communities individualized resident attention, well-being checks, grief support and counseling services, and many more in her Senior Companionship program.

"I am there for residents to talk about problems and be a friend," she said.

During the event, a volunteer from SBHIS, a local insurance agency that specializes in signing senior residents up for Medicare and Medi-Cal, stopped by to hand out promotional bags and pens to the residents.

The potluck was a complete success, and even had visitors from Siena Apartments coming to say hi to their Versa at Civita friends.

"Two years ago, I came up with the idea of inviting residents of both senior properties to come to potlucks on either property. This way, residents of one of the properties have the opportunity to come to the other, be in a different environment, and meet new people," said Jelena. "Once the residents break the ice by coming to an event, they realize it's not as hard as they thought, and they start coming more often."

"My favorite part is when I see the residents of one property come to another, and seeing happy faces enjoying conversation and company."