Our Residents

Singer John Salvati belts out a tune at Forest Park Manor.

Clapping and fancy-stepping to tunes like ‘The Twist’ and ‘Devil with the Blue Dress On,’ a happy crowd in the community room at Springfield Housing Authority’s Forest Park Manor also learned a thing or two about home health care on a recent afternoon.

The two-hour visit by representatives of Peabody Resident Services included lively entertainment by singer John Salvati, with microphone, speakers and computerized background music in tow.

There was also information about the kinds of help and care available and delivered daily into people’s homes, designed to keep residents comfortable and independent. PRS managers Jennifer Adamczyk and Maria Hernandez explained the options to some two dozen residents at the housing development for elderly and handicapped people.

Forest Park Manor resident Gaetano ‘Tommy’ D’Amato shares a smile with Springfield Housing Authority Resident Services Coordinator Candra Cripps.

For rock & roll enthusiasts like Mary Mazza and Sheila Viktorchik, the free event was a perfect mix. Both listened intently while PRS representatives offered information, and jumped up to the dance floor the second Salvati took to the microphone.

“He’s great,” said Mazza. “I love to dance – it’s my thing. And I have loved rock & roll for as long as I can remember.”

Mazza also appreciated learning about a service that, as a senior living independently, she may need one day.

“It’s always good to know the things that are available to us,” she said.

Resident Services Coordinator Candra Cripps organized the event, saying that the SHA likes to offer opportunities for residents to learn about services that can help them. In this case, the entertainment came with the package and was a natural draw, she said.

Singer John Salvati cuts the rug with Forest Park Manor residents Sheila Viktorchik and Mary Mazza.

“This is a fun way to get people involved,” Cripps said. “And at the same time, it keeps them informed about services that are available to them now, or later.”

Resident Millie Dunbar asked questions about the home health care services, and offered advice to her neighbors about how to stay safe and independent, even as they age. She said she will be 92 in October.

“We have to keep thinking – anything to prevent needing help. I say to myself, ‘Do it yourself, Millie.’ But some things, we need help for,” she said.

Among the Forest Park residents who attended the session was Gaetano D’Amato, better known as ‘Tommy.’ He celebrated his 99th birthday in May.