|
If you are looking for ways to reach out and touch someone's life, a great place to start is by volunteering at a local nursing home. There are many wonderful opportunities to make a difference in the lives of some very lonely people.
As the elderly population continues to grow, there are long term care facilities springing up everywhere. These facilities are filled with people suffering from varying degrees of illness. Some facilities are the homes of children, as well as the elderly, and volunteers are a welcome sight for all ages.
Often, the residents of long term care facilities find themselves in the unfortunate situation of feeling loneliness and depression on a daily basis. Even with an activities program, many residents lack the personal one on one time that most of us crave. Several of these people may have no family or friends who come to visit, and find themselves bored, wishing they had a friend to talk to. Contact the Recreation department at a local nursing home and ask them if they have any needs for volunteers...more than likely, they will be happy to have you!
As a volunteer, you could be that much needed friend, that ear who will listen and the shoulder to cry on. There are various tasks that some elderly patients are no longer able to perform for themselves. Often, nursing homes are too short staffed for the employees to have time to spend with each and every resident, just to provide TLC.
Many volunteers have reported a feeling of well-being, a knowledge that they made someones day a little easier, or a little brighter. Some volunteers may help patients straighten out their closet or drawers. Others may help them write a letter. Sometimes, bringing someone a box of chocolates or some flowers goes a long way! (Some patients may be on special diets, always be sure to check with the nurse before giving any kind of food or drink to a patient).
Some volunteers sit and listen to people talk about their past. The elderly love to reminisce about "The good ole' days". Volunteers can also bring magazines or a book or the newspaper and read out loud. This is much apreciated and enjoyed by nursing home residents, who often lack the manual dexterity and eyesight to read for themselves anymore.
Try to find common interests with the people you are spending time with, then plan on doing those activities together. For example, if the patient you are visiting enjoys crochet or knitting, you can bring along some materials and join in! Or, if you know that a patient especially enjoys tea, plan a tea party!
Along with the word 'volunteering' comes many ideas and images about what it means to be a volunteer. In reality, it means being a friend...someone to chase away the lonliness and make a person feel loved!
| 
