CC0 image courtesy G. Altmann on Pixabay |
I would
privately complain to her about how different it smelled there and how some
residents seemed to be regularly unhappy about one thing or another. Despite my complaints, my mother made sure to
bring me along as she volunteered to spend time there. She regularly sat with residents to read a
book or the daily newspaper aloud, chat about recent events, or to just listen
to a colorful story or two.
I have since come to
appreciate those times and other more recent ones that I have spent with
seniors in assisted living and nursing homes.
I have learned that many residents are without nearby family or friends
due to various life circumstances. Some
are looking for a little extra assistance with daily activities. Some want someone to share a meal with. I have found that more often than not that
some just want someone to listen to his or her stories about the past.
Volunteering with
seniors can help provide a lot more happiness in their lives as well as your
own. For me, I have found listening to
personal stories of the past the most rewarding. In the process of listening I have been
entertained, informed, and have heard personal perspectives on history events I
had only previously read about. Many
seniors are very happy to share especially if they believe that you may learn
from their own past mistakes or successes.
All things considered, I believe that volunteering with seniors can be a
very positive experience. By volunteering,
you may also begin to appreciate some aspects of your own life a bit more as a
result.
There seem to be
very few age restrictions to volunteer with seniors. Volunteers can be anywhere in between high
school age to 55+ years old. To find
opportunities to volunteer, consider contacting local retirement homes or
searching for opportunities online at sites like Create the Good (provided by
the AARP Foundation) or those listed on the Volunteer Opportunity Networks
post.
Share some of your
time with seniors in your community today!
UPDATE 10/29/16: Consider reading "Anxiety Issues Talking with Seniors" also.
UPDATE 10/29/16: Consider reading "Anxiety Issues Talking with Seniors" also.
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