I want to help some poor elderly people?

Question

"Poor" as in "unfortunate".

I volunteer at an elderly home and some of the residents told me that they don't like it there because it's really boring. The carers are really nice but they don't ensure that the residents are entertained, like the carers at the previous home I worked at did. All they do is put the telly on, whereas in the other place they got them to partake in all sorts of activities such as darts, curling and mini-basketball (obviously their movement was limited), and even invited musicians to play for them from time to time.

I would like to make it clear that I am not a carer; I am a student who only volunteers there once a week for a onte-and-a-half-hour slot, and all I'm told to do is talk to the residents to keep them company or some ****. Since most of them are near-deaf or have dementia then I feel my role is pretty much useless.

I have the impression that the care home is too poor and under-staffed to host activities for the residents, but I really want to help them! Any suggestions?

Answer 1

See if you can set up other things to do during your time. Like find musicians or other performers. Maybe they're only missing that stuff there, cause no one has tried to do it.

Answer 2

Spending some time with the residents who are near deaf, or who may have dementia is not just wasted time or "some ****" as you say. Some of those people might be lonely and need a friendly person to acknowledge that they are still alive. So, talk to them even if you don't think it matters.

As for the residents who tell you that they are bored; you could ask them for some activities ideas too. After all, they are the people who live there. You could then talk to the Care Givers or who ever runs the home and bounce the ideas off them. It would help if you could get some of them on board to make their place more pleasant.

One of my ideas would be to get some birds feeders hung up out in the yard or patio. Squirrels and birds always seem to make at least part a boring day more enjoyable.

Answer 3

First, use your hour and a half to the best of your ability- take some board games (Chess, Checkers or others), a deck of cards, etc. If the games are a hit, you might see if any friends or family members want to donate any to leave there.



Take reading material- Bibles and other books. You might ask your librarian for some recommendations. Magazines are good as well.



Recruit friends and people in the community to put on an event- talent show, pageant, etc.



As you do things, keep notes of what worked and did not work and how it could have been improved (to reference next time).

Answer 4

You can easily get information by contacting Visiting Nurses Association.

I used to intern with them. You may know that the nurses make individual calls on elders in their homes.



This agency can suggest to you things to do, methods to use to succeed in communicating in challenging situations (speaking to a non listener...), and how to approach & speak to those in charge at the nursing home.



You are right to keep your eye on your goal: to be of service to the elders. May your efforts put and keep you in a position of action such that you impress many elders. You are elevating the quality of their lives the moment you step into their vision.

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You go, girl.

Answer 5

bring in pet dog or cat to let them hold them or pet them. The elderly are comforted by them and enjoy having the attention of a peaceful pet.



or go for a walk with one around the grounds.



or start a group of care helpers that will come into these places and sing with them or play gin rummy with them or perhaps bring in some magazines for the to look at or read a story to them that might be done in each time you come to visit them.

If you organized some others to help you could be a real blessing there and you would be bringing them enjoyment to raise their spirits perhaps you could get some girls to be interested in this helping hands and bring in cookies to share.

the skies the limit.

God bless your compassionate heart.

Answer 6

Maybe Bingo game, and maybe when the staff get payed you can ask everyone for 2 dollars and go to a dollar store and pick up prizes for the winners, or maybe you can go to a hair or nail place and ask them maybe if they could volunteer some of there time to do nails or hair, someone suggested bringing in a dog for them too pet and spend time with , maybe go to craigslist ask if anyone would like to volunteer any time for music or any entertainment just make sure there professionals , or even have them have groups for board game they may like, i'm sure they get bored, maybe you can ask them things they may like to do.. Good Luck with this, it was kind of you to be concerned for them so many people just don't pay attention to the elderly and that's so sad !!!!

Answer 7

Give them money to buy food, the government doesn't they give it to Israel instead.