Ray Svejnoha is 100 years old, a World War II veteran, and someone our Assisting Hands Home Care Naperville team has the privilege of serving at Independence Village in Naperville, Illinois. This month, he did something he never got to do back in 1944: he went to prom.
When Ray was a teenager, he was called up for military service before his high school prom could happen. He did not have much of a choice. He was supposed to report for duty. So he went, and prom never happened.
Eighty-two years passed. Then a group of high school students decided to do something about it.
How Students at Metea Valley Made It Happen
Students from Metea Valley High School in Aurora had been visiting Independence Village regularly through a program called Tech Connect, where young people help senior residents with technology. It was during one of those visits that Ray mentioned he had never been to prom.
Carey Peterson, the faculty adviser for the club, heard it and thought: we can fix that. She organized a group of six students to put together a promposal, complete with red, white, and blue balloons, American flags, and a poster that read: “82 years late, but right on time.”
Ray accepted. And then the entire Naperville community got involved.
The Prom Night Itself
Local sponsors stepped in to make sure Ray had everything he needed. He received a haircut, a manicure, and a tux fitting. He arrived at the event in a vintage trolley decorated with streamers and balloons.
When he walked onto the dance floor, the students cheered. Ray took the microphone and said what many people in that room were probably already feeling: “I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this, and I love you all.”
He later told Naperville Community Television that he had never really thought much about how much prom had meant to him. But when the students showed up with balloons and their handmade poster, something shifted. “Them girls were more excited than I was,” he said. “After I heard them, well, I was just about as excited, too.”
Ray Is Part of the Assisting Hands Naperville Family
We are proud to share that Ray is one of our clients at Assisting Hands Home Care Naperville. Our caregivers have been providing in-home care services for him at Independence Village, and we could not be more thrilled to see him celebrated in this way.
Ray is exactly the kind of person who reminds us why this work matters. He has a lifetime of stories, a sharp sense of humor, and a warmth that anyone who has spent time with him can tell you about firsthand. Watching him get his prom moment at 100 years old, surrounded by cheering students and a community that rallied around him, is something our team will not forget.
Why Connection Matters for Seniors
Ray’s story is about more than a prom. It is about what happens when older adults stay connected, feel seen, and remain part of a community that pays attention to them.
Social isolation is one of the most serious health risks facing seniors today. Research from the National Institute on Aging links chronic loneliness in older adults to higher rates of cognitive decline, depression, heart disease, and early mortality. But the reverse is also true. Seniors who maintain meaningful relationships and feel genuinely valued tend to live longer, stay healthier, and report a much higher quality of life.
Ray’s prom night is a powerful reminder that it is never too late for a meaningful moment. And that the people around a senior, whether family, neighbors, students, or caregivers, play a direct role in making those moments possible.
Supporting the Seniors in Your Life
If someone you love is aging in Naperville, one of the most important things you can do is make sure they have consistent human connection. That does not always mean big moments like a prom. It often means someone who shows up regularly, listens, helps with daily tasks, and genuinely knows them as a person.
At Assisting Hands Home Care Naperville, that is exactly what our caregivers do. We provide in-home care for seniors across the Naperville area, helping with personal care, companionship, medication reminders, transportation, and more. For many of the families we work with, having a trusted caregiver visit regularly is what keeps their loved one engaged, safe, and happy at home.
Whether your loved one is navigating memory challenges, recovering from a health event, or simply finding it harder to manage day-to-day life independently, we can help bridge that gap. Our care is personalized, compassionate, and always focused on the whole person.
Read the Full Story
Ray’s story was originally reported by ABC News / Good Morning America. Read the full account here: 100-year-old veteran attends his first prom 82 years after missing his own (ABC News / GMA)
Talk to Assisting Hands Home Care Naperville
If you have a parent, grandparent, or loved one in the Naperville area who could benefit from compassionate, professional in-home care, we would be glad to talk with you about what that might look like.
Contact us today at (630) 634-9316 to learn more about our home care services in Naperville, Illinois. A member of our team will walk you through your options and help you figure out the right level of support.
