Life Enrichment Monthly Calendar of Resident Events

Poydras Home Events

Take a look at all of the varied entertainment, wellness, educational and cultural offering our residents will enjoy this month HERE!

Poydras Home Conversations Speaker Series

Poydras Home’s annual speaker series, Poydras Home Conversations, hosts guest lecturers in the spring and fall, representing a wide range of topics.

In May 2025, Consultant Carolyn Olson, CDP, CSA guided our audience through how to broach the difficult conversation when it’s time for a loved one to stop driving.

In October 2025, Tulane’s Chair of Neurology, Dr. Demetrius Maraganore discussed the Healthy Brain Aging Initiative: “Did you know you can prevent Alzheimer’s? Preventing Cognitive decline and dementia” at Poydras Home. Dr. Maraganore’s passion is helping patients to achieve successful brain aging by preventing cognitive decline and dementia.

In May 2024, Tai Chi instructor Jeffrey Bealer demonstrated how Tai Chi can benefit seniors, even when practiced from a seated position. Poydras Home is dedicated to promoting wellness within our community through Tai Chi and other offerings.

In October 2023, Poydras Home Conversations featured Co-Lead Instructors Kelly Harp Haber and April Dayok with Dance For Parkinson’s brought to us by the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA). Our elders, their families and guests experienced this empowering movement class designed for those with Parkinson’s. Seated or standing, participants enjoyed a stimulating, social environment energized by music.

In March 2023, Poydras Home showcased Kay Morrison, owner of The Occasional Wife. Morrison shared her organizational secrets and the latest tools of the trade for residents, families and neighbors wishing to downsize or simply make the most of their available living spaces.

Mardi Gras at Poydras Home

Carnival time at Poydras Home is busy and popular. Poydras Home is ideally positioned on the route of more than a dozen parades. Our residents can even catch coveted throws from our side of the fence! Our season kicked off on King’s Day with our first taste of king cake and the reveal of our Poydras Home royalty. The Krewe of Thoth Walking Parade visits us early to allow our residents to preview their throws and share in a royal toast. We also have our own Mardi Gras Ball in the 1857 Hall. We close out the season with a resident and family barbecue on Thoth Sunday.

Due to an increase of campus visitors during Mardi Gras, Poydras Home implements the following parade procedures:

• During parades at Poydras Home, all guests, including family members, must check in at the Arbor reception desk at our 825 Jefferson Ave. entrance to receive wrist bands to be worn for the duration of the parade.
• Due to parade line ups, NOPD will not allow access to the Poydras Home parking lots from 3:00 p.m. until after all parades have passed.
• Poydras Home gate codes will be changed during the Mardi Gras season, requiring all visitors, including family members, to be buzzed in by our receptionist. After Mardi Gras, resident family members will be issued new gate codes.
• Guests are encouraged to use our provided temporary, outdoor restrooms.
• Families are invited to bring their resident to view parades and return your resident to their room afterwards. Our staff capacity does not allow us to escort residents who require assistance to attend parades.

Thank you for keeping Poydras Home safe and secure during the carnival season.