We all want to help those less fortunate than we are, I am constantly amazed how we, as progressives, donate to those less off than we might be. Be it people impacted by famine or floods, to other individuals that might be going thru a hard time.
I have been blessed many times over from your help and I am not asking for any aid for myself. I am in a nursing home and I am writing this for my fellow residents who might not have their own voice to do so.
So if you have time on your hands and are interested in helping people who might not have a voice, that you can provide support.
Before you do any of the below actions I would suggest calling the social worker at your nursing home of interest and make sure that your plans would be OK with the home’s admins.
If so…..
1. Pick a resident or 3 and just come visit as often, or as little as you like. Just visit and be concistent and engage them. For many it might be a long time since anyone came to visit them so it might be hard at first to bring them out of their shell, but think of how great you would be in learning and hearing their history and they would be in having someone who cares back in their llves.
2. Have a pet? (Cats rule dogs drool :) )see if the home would allow you to bring them to visit. From dogs to snakes to whatever….seeing a pet would do much for so many.
3. Make an extra plate or two of food and share it. Imagine getting mostly the same food week after week, institutional food at that. When offered a snack you get a stale peanut and butter. Find that special partner, see what their diet is, and mak sure the home is OK for you bringing in a treat every no and again.
4. Please note: Many rooms in nursing homes do not have their own phones anymore, acting under the cell assumption. But if your local home does, and you are home bound too, why not call residents once a week?
5. And last but not least…..listen and care. Talk to the social worker and the resident,…..find out what they would like...a voice….a visit...someone to learn from…..someone to teach, etc…you will find that you have a lot to gain.