SALISBURY — For Barbara Neely, who is only a recent assisted living resident of Brookdale Salisbury, the “Sand and Sea” luncheon Thursday at Salisbury Civic Center was a blast.

“I’m enjoying every minute of it,” Neely said while eating a full plate of food and listening to the tunes of Fast Freddie Thompson, the deejay. “That and the fellowship. I’m enjoying it, (but) I’m not very hard to get along with.”

A couple of tables away, Christy Craddock of Kannon Creek Assisted Living offered a similar report: “I like the music,” she said, “and the food is really good.”

Craddock also appreciated the opportunity the luncheon gave everybody to be creative. She showed off the elaborate name tag she fashioned herself. The festivities included a resident name tag decoration contest.

Neely and Craddock were among the more than 225 residents, staff members and volunteers celebrating at the beach and nautically themed Rowan County Older Americans Month/Resident Rights Luncheon.

The luncheon — this was its 10th year — represents a chance for residents of local nursing homes and adult care homes to have a fun, social time away from their centers. Residents and staff members came from 19 facilities and programs.

Activity directors and administrators play a key role in deciding who can make the trip and arranging transportation to the Civic Center.

But the luncheon also is a resident rights function organized by Patricia G. Cowan, regional ombudsman for the Centralina Council of Governments’ Area Agency on Aging.

The luncheon offers a chance for residents to hear about their state-mandated rights in long-term care facilities and learn how to report elder abuse and other problems.

Ombudsmen such as Cowan assist residents in exercising their rights and attempt to resolve differences among residents, families and facilities.

“Call me,” Cowan told her audience Thursday, “and I’ll be there to help you. … Don’t ever be afraid to report.”

The ombudsmen also support the efforts of adult care home and nursing home community advisory committees, which Cowan said send more sets of eyes and hears into long-term care facilities.

Those attending Thursday’s luncheon — it was held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — received gift bags that included information about how to report abuse and their rights as residents.

A special guest Thursday was Victor Orija, the state long-term care ombudsman from Raleigh. His program falls under the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services. Cowan’s ombudsman region for COG, based in Charlotte, covers nine counties.

N.C. law addresses disabled adults who might be abused, neglected or exploited and need protection.

Adults in long-term care who have been mistreated may show these kinds of behaviors: avoidance of eye contact, confusion, hesitance to talk openly, withdrawal, change in appetite or sleep patterns, suspicious or paranoid behavior, radical change in behavior or depression.

People with suspicions are encouraged to call 800-508-5777 or the adult protective services unit of their county department of social services.

But much lighter topics carried the day Thursday during the “Sand and Sea” gathering. Decorations ranged from beach balls and umbrellas to sea shells and flower leis.

The Rowan County Board of Commissioners paid for the food, provided by Silver Spoon Catering.

“This is a great event,” said Commissioner Craig Pierce, recalling how it was a no-brainer for commissioners to give their support. “It took about two minutes to pass. That was the quickest thing we’ve ever done.”

East Spencer Mayor Barbara Mallett, who also serves on the Community Advisory Committee, also attended.

Rowan Chapter 4314 of the AARP helped in serving the food and drink.

Autumn Care Nursing covered the Civic Center’s rental fee.

Other big supporters included Rufty-Holmes Senior Center and Marjorie Brown of Elder Law & Estate Planning Solutions of the Piedmont, which paid for Thompson, the deejay.

“I love it, because this is my home county,” Thompson said. “I want it to be a special day for them to remember.”

Cowan said she loved the teamwork of the Community Advisory Committee, AARP, facility staff members, home heath agencies and others who make the annual luncheon possible.

“If it weren’t for this collaboration,” the event wouldn’t happen, she said.

Facilities represented Thursday included Accordious Health, Autumn Care Nursing, Big Elm Nursing, Brightmoor Nursing, Brookdale Salisbury, Carillon Assisted Living, Kannon Creek Assisted Living, Libby Family Care Home, Liberty Commons Nursing, Magnolia Estates Nursing, The Laurels of Salisbury, Trinity Oaks Nursing, Trinity Living Center, Alpha Concord House, The Meadows of Rockwell, Bethamy Retirement, the Hefner VA Medical Center Community Living Center, Salisbury Center (Genesis) and Mary’s Family Care.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.