97-year old Rosebud, whom I mentioned in my 11/15/08 post, was a social worker, raised two children, and now lives in a nursing home. She would like to share with you the following thoughts about recreational activities:
“Old folks know a lot and need to have their minds stimulated. We residents can’t speak back and forth, so there’s a lot of lonely time. We’ve lived different lives and we need to find out what we have in common so we can be drawn together. The recreation staff can help us talk to each other about our lives.
I have the will to have a purpose, but now I need assistance grabbing onto it. Just as we residents need help with cooking and serving our meals, but have the will to eat, we need help in putting our thoughts together to work on a project with a purpose. Growing older, I would like to use my wisdom to help someone else. I want to contribute to a larger cause.”
Hi Eleanor,
I really liked this blog! We need more respect for people who live in nursing homes. I can see you really communicate with the people there. All the best to you.
-Aiyana Phyllis Stern
Hi Aiyana,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I’m glad you like the blog. I’ll let Rosebud know her post generated some positive feedback.
Best,
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, PhD
“Old folks know a lot and need to have their minds stimulated. We residents can’t speak back and forth, so there’s a lot of lonely time. We’ve lived different lives and we need to find out what we have in common so we can be drawn together. ” I’ve always thought that if there were more local organizations to help communication between seniors while they still lived at home, the need for nusing homes could be put off for a significant amount of time.
” I have the will to have a purpose, but now I need assistance grabbing onto it. Just as we residents need help with cooking and serving our meals, but have the will to eat, we need help in putting our thoughts together to work on a project with a purpose. ” I see this happening in my mother’s nursing home and without it, her life there would be so sterile.
Dr. E, you are terrific!
Thanks, Anonymous, for your comment. It’s good to hear there are places like those for your mom that are providing opportunities for the residents to be meaningfully active.
I love this quote! I just created a post on my blog around it at http://www.everyoneisaging.com.
I really think this speaks to what should be the main focus of activities departments in these settings. Activities should be a tool to help residents make common connections with each other not necessarily to entertain or occupy ones time.
Thanks!
Thanks, Steve, for your comment and blog post. I’ll let Rosebud know you’re quoting her. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.