Living in an assisted-living facility isn’t the easiest thing in the world.

That’s why when the seniors who live there can go out on excursions, it can make their whole week.

Dennis Rasmussen, owner and administrator of Greenwood Village Assisted Living, tries to take his approximately 35 seniors out on trips as often as he can.

Last week he took them out to his farm to catch fish in the pond there. 

The eight seniors he took, ranging in age from their mid-70s to mid-90s, landed some pretty tasty-looking rainbow trout.

“I love taking them out there,” Rasmussen said. “They see things that a lot of people come to our campgrounds to see.”

Rasmussen, besides raising fish on his farm, also has buffalo and elk. The seniors in his care get to hang out with the animals that some tourists stop their rented cars to look at. 

In the hour the senior citizens spent fishing, they landed nine fish, which went toward a fun weekly treat.

Every Friday, the residents enjoy a fish fry, with store-bought fish such as halibut, but also enjoying their own spoils of victory.

Rasmussen said it can be challenging taking larger groups fishing.

“Even with all the help, it can keep you busy,” he said. “You’ve got to cast their lines out, but then they get to reel them in.”

Other excursions Rasmussen and his wife Bev take the seniors to include a jaunt into Glacier National Park along Lake McDonald. He was planning on doing that later in October, but said he might have to postpone if the park does not reopen in time.

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.