Last night I spent an hour volunteering with an organization
called Bessie’s Hope at a nursing
home in downtown Denver. Walking onto
the floor of the nursing home, the odor was definitely not sweet, the look was
dated and the amenities were minimal. My
assumption was that the patients had no means and were probably all covered by
Medicaid.
Before we were to meet with the patients, there was a
training we all went through so we would know what to do and say. I know some, if not all of us, felt awkward
and uncertain. My volunteer group was
lead into the living room where 13 patients were all seated, mostly in
wheelchairs.
Our facilitator, Linda Holloway, co-founder of Bessie’s Hope
and granddaughter of Bessie, lead us through a series of introductions, songs,
dances, questions to ask and be asked, all ending with a hug train and a snack.
This might sound corny, embarrassing and pointless, but nothing
could be farther from the truth. I got
to know John and that he was a crop farmer all his life, never had more than a
couple years of high school, and was of German descent. Then there was Nancy who had the best sense
of humor, and Paul who was from Boston and did not like to dance, but loved to
toboggan in the snow when he was a kid.
Henry was a resident for only 2 months and was getting acclimated. He told me he loved to go sledding when he
was a child and had grown up in Colorado. Henry has outlived all of his relatives and has no visitors. As I was directed through the program
facilitated by Linda, I asked what his favorite Christmas gift was as a child
and he replied that he did not have one. I decided to improvise and ask what would he like to get this Christmas
and he said that he did not want anything. I asked, “What is your favorite food?” Henry’s face lit up and he said without hesitation, “Chinese, chicken
chow mien”.
I held hands, danced, sang and gave hugs to all under the
guise of doing something nice for others, but the reality is that they did
something wonderful for me.
It is a challenge to raise money for senior focused
charities in the US. Senior causes do
not look sexy, evoke cute, warm and fuzzy emotions, nor do they generate the
public awareness that a natural disaster does. Charitable giving dollars go primarily to religious organizations,
education and human services. Children’s
charities have mass appeal to the general public, especially during the
November/December holidays.
Let’s start to raise awareness about the charitable
organizations who serve older adults from all over this country. Post your favorite senior focused charity
from your area.
No one should be lonely, feel unloved, hungry, homeless or
without proper medical care. Our seniors
deserve to be treated with respect and compassion. Consider taking one hour of your time and go
visit an older adult who might not have any visitors. With their permission, take their hand, look
into their eyes, ask them their name and then tell them yours. The rest is magic.
I think getting some Chinese food to go is in my future and
Henry’s!
Judy Rough,
CSA
Certified
Senior Advisor
Board
Member, Bessie’s Hope
December 16,
2014
Blog posting courtesy of Judy Rough, CSA
Provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors
