Any experiences from old age homes or hospitals?

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Renarax

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Hello everyone!
I’ve been thinking of spending some time of the week socialising and helping people out rather than doing nothing. Thing is I’m 17 and moving to halifax, nova Scotia in a few months and know no one. Of course you have college and all but I wanted to meet interesting people other than them too.
I’ve already decided to go to church and meet people ( although I’m not a Catholic YET) I’ve also been thinking about volunteering for an old age home too.
For those of you who are experienced in these things, what exactly did you do in these two places?

Did you play music for them or games or just talked to them?

Is there any difference between the old people in a hospital and in an old age home?

Do you get weird looks when you walk in with a cool and overenthusiastic attitude? (Don’t worry, not going to happen)

The reason I’m asking for your advice on seniors volunteering is because children below my age scare me. I’m not kidding. When I was in school we were all polite and easy going. But the kids born after 1999 at most, have this stare that automatically makes you feel inferior (especially girls ). Ya might sound stupid, but whatever.

If you ever volunteered for a kids or any other hospital, do share. Perhaps you can tell me how to get comfortable around 14 year olds while they’re in the hospital and harmless?😉
 
People in nursing homes tend to love younger folks coming in to visit. Usually either the Social Work office or the Recreation / Activities office can help you out. In many facilities in my area the Recreation Dept is staffed by young women. As far as who to talk to, you can literally walk down the hallway and say hi to everyone and just start engaging in conversation. So many have wonderful stories to share and really appreciate even just a few minutes of conversation.

But I like your idea of volunteering with youth. Mainly because you expressed discomfort and it would probably be a good way to work through your fear.

Good luck!
 
Visiting the elderly is a beautiful thing. They love to talk and listen about the same stuff we do: our faith, our families, sports, current events, etc. Often they love to reminisce about “the good old days”. They do enjoy music also.

God bless you in this important ministry. It is very generous of you.

The main difference between the hospital and the nursing home is that in the hospital they are there for an acute illness. The nursing home is for the chronically ill, the aged, physical rehab, or those who can’t take care of themselves.

Sorry, I don’t know much about 14 year olds.

Incidentally, I’ve been to Halifax. It’s a beautiful, quiet town.

God bless you.
 
There are so many people who would benefit from your help and presence that you will be astonished. Your biggest problem will be where to start! Since I have two very elderly parents I assure you that any time and any help you can offer will be put to good use and be very appreciated. Sitting and reading, helping mend a hem, play some cards, just listen to music or watch a tv show and on and on. Some day when you look back on what you gave to these people in their daily lives will put a smile on your face. I will be praying for you to find the right place.
 
I’m 17 as well and a senior in high school. I’ve been volunteering at a local nursing home for the past three yours, and this will be my fourth. When I first started, I got into contact with the Director of Therapeutic Recreation and was orientated with the facility (a wonderful one, by the way), and began soon after. Since then, I have helped out with various activities: I started off by cleaning and reoganizing their library- some of them liv eto read, do puzzles, etc- and then began doing the Friday evening program, whether it is trivia or social (dessert, involved). Through these acivites, I have come to learn a lot about the residents, and they love to see me whenever I come to visit, usually weekly. I wheel them to and from their rooms, help them out if they need it, and just try to make their day that much better.

And, if trivia is not your thing, then there are usually craft times, barbeques (in the summer), exercise times, Mass to bring them to, and more. You can also set up something with your school to go visit with a bunch of kids from a particular club or class. I did this with my religion class freshman year: we brought them little goodies- stationary (which they love), stuffed animal, toothbrush (they need them), etc.

The only thing is, don’t try to be too overly zealous. You’ll understand what I mean when you get there. Now, don’t think I’m saying not to be optimistic, absolutely NOT- it’s very necessary to be optimistic, and that is what they both want and need at a nursing home. However, after a while, you will get to know the personalities of the residents and recreation staff and will then be able to make more informed decisions about certain situations, rather than just doing something because you think the residents need it. It can be kind of hectic at times, and eventually you’ll be able to handle it! 😛

But it is a very rewarding activity to volunteer at a nursing home. Try to find one that is very clean (most are) and make sure to use their hand sanitizer! 😃

I hope you do well with your projected work! If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me! May God bless you! 🙂
 
One thing I did a while back was joined a pet therapy group and we would take our dogs into the nursing homes. It was really nice because the dogs would be a nice way to start a conversation.

I had a 150 lb. newfoundland dog at the time. He was a gentle giant who loved to have people pet him. And since he was so big, the elderly didn’t have to bend down to reach, he came right up to them. When they dropped crumbs on the floor from their lunch trays, he would be sure to eat them up! He also made the staff smile, too. There was another lady in my group who had a really big gentle cat and she would set him on the lap of the person so they could pet him. That went really well, too.
 
Richard_White said:
I’m 17 as well and a senior in high school. I’ve been volunteering at a local nursing home for the past three yours, and this will be my fourth. When I first started, I got into contact with the Director of Therapeutic Recreation and was orientated with the facility (a wonderful one, by the way), and began soon after. Since then, I have helped out with various activities: I started off by cleaning and reoganizing their library- some of them liv eto read, do puzzles, etc- and then began doing the Friday evening program, whether it is trivia or social (dessert, involved). Through these acivites, I have come to learn a lot about the residents, and they love to see me whenever I come to visit, usually weekly. I wheel them to and from their rooms, help them out if they need it, and just try to make their day that much better.

And, if trivia is not your thing, then there are usually craft times, barbeques (in the summer), exercise times, Mass to bring them to, and more. You can also set up something with your school to go visit with a bunch of kids from a particular club or class. I did this with my religion class freshman year: we brought them little goodies- stationary (which they love), stuffed animal, toothbrush (they need them), etc.

The only thing is, don’t try to be too overly zealous. You’ll know what I mean when yiu get there. Now I’m not saying to not be optimisitic, no- it’s very necessary to be optimistic, and that is what they both want and need at a nursing home. However, after a while, you will get to know the personalities of the residents and recreation staff and will then be able to make more informed decisions about certain situations. It can be kind of hectic at times! 😛

But it is a very rewarding activity to volunteer at a nursing home. Try to find one that is very clean (most are) and make sure to use their hand sanitizer! 😃

I hope you do well with your projected work! If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me! May God bless you! 🙂
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I haven’t volunteered at an old age home or hospital, but I did want to add in few words of advice. Please treat them like equals and talk to them like they are able to understand you. Much of the time they do not get that kind of respect from the staff. I know this because I have seen it first hand when they treated a family member at a hospital. It is very sad to see them in a state of an altered mind (due to medications) and most likely they are not used to being respected by others. Kindness goes a long way for these poor folks.

As for what you can do with them, play games and just be there to talk to them or listen. They need socialization and most of the time they have lots of interesting things to say.
 
I’m sure you would be welcomed, there are never enough people to organise activities or even chat to the residents. It’s a great thing to do.

Nursing/care homes are nothing like hospitals - they are someone’s home, and you are a guest there. If you remember that, you will find that you approach the elderly people with the respect they deserve.

Good luck!
 
I think it’s a lovely idea. My grandmother is in a nursing home, and they often have volunteers from the local high school come to help during activities. The activities director and staff will let you know what to do and when, mostly at her place it’s help gather folks to do things together, help them with the activity, crafts, games, etc. They do a lot of very simple things like balloon volley ball, basic painting and sticker crafts, sing a longs, watermelon parties, ice cream parties etc. The volunteers and visiting family like me and my kids help with entertaining everyone, keeping it all fun, handing out food and napkins and so on. We all enjoy it and I hope you do as well. I like that my young children can spend an hour or more with an Alzheimer’s unit and have a good time. They bring life and smiles to the residents- and it helps my children remember that not everyone is exactly the same that they are.
 
Some facts: (USA) The average number of visits people in nursing homes receive a year is ONE. Yes, only one visit a year from family.

You don’t have to do anything spectacular, just visit. Many times volunteers are asked to bring drinks of water around to the residents in nursing homes. They need to drink more and need the assistance to do so. It helps reduce symptoms of dementia and improves their health.

You may also be asked to visit during meals, which helps them eat better. If you can play a musical instrument that is great, they love to hear it. And stop worrying about people “looking at you”. They will love to see you.

But be prepared also, for folks being confused, hard of hearing, not remembering you or doing things that seem strange or even unkind. Remember they are elderly, sick, afraid, and confused many times. They have lost all their freedoms and independence. Help them feel needed and useful and you will be doing the work of God.
 
I have worked with many volunteers in nursing homes. Here are a few tips:

Always check with Activities or Nursing staff before offering food or water. Some patients have specific precautions where a thin liquid such as water or a certain texture food can cause choking or aspiration pneumonia.

Learn about specific diagnoses but never assume a patient is not present in their mind. Always use the utmost respect, even if someone is comatose. You never know who might be listening.

Some patients have communication disorders. Find out what they need to enjoy your visit: hearing aids, glasses, piece of paper, more time to respond. (PS: hearing aids have a way of getting lost-wrapped in a Kleenex or in a robe or pants pocket, so be careful)

Some people are very much in the present. Some have memory problems in the present. You might need to reintroduce yourself. Some have incredible long term memories.

There are guidelines and laws by the State and the Federal Government on Nursing Homes and Elder Rights. learn about them. They will make your work better, easier, and more meaningful. This is someone’s home and you, the volunteer, are there to help them access things that they cant do alone.

You might be asked to be someone’s right arm for an art project or a game of bingo, sit with an anxious person and apply hand lotion, paint nails, help someone build or paint a birdhouse or model airplane, watch a movie, read a newspaper, book, or magazine, organize a video collection or book cart, take a stroll, sit at bedside and prevent patient from being afraid, agitated, disoriented, look through a photo album, sew, knit, learn computer skills, write a letter or email or make a phone call, plant a garden, connect with others, sing, etc.

You could host a movie afternoon or night, an Oscar party, Super Bowl Sunday, Wimbledon tennis, whatever would help someone stay connected to old routines and have fun. I used to do the “One Hour Movie Classic”. I would take an old movie, pre screen it to shorten it, and write a short description of the edited section for when you fast forward (“She dates a lot of men, none who interest her”). You can show Fiddler on the Roof or Dr Zhivago and they will still have time later to go outside and visit.

We have hosted old car shows, pet visits, circuses, proms, theater, concerts, luaus, spas, garden parties, candlelight dinners ,classes, lectures, election issues, guest speakers, anything they might want to access, and field trips-you might be needed to accompany someone to the fair.

Always keep your supervisor in the loop and ask them if there are any changes you should know about. Leave a short note on your visit with certain patients. They will be grateful since they are very busy and need to document on all of their patients. Note any progress or setbacks.

You might also ask them if there are certain office details that need your help. There are issues of confidentiality but learn how you can help within those guidelines. Activities professionals are usually understaffed and overwhelmed.

I especially enjoy interviewing patients and writing a brief life history. If they cant talk, ask their families or friends. Little things like a family photo or a painting or postcard at the bedside can bring beauty and familiarity into a room.
 
I’ve volunteered with the Little Sisters of the Poor in several states and countries. Try to find them, and from my experience, the elderly just love to share their stories. Listen, listen, listen. Be willing to help, but not too eager - the elderly can and need to do things for themselves.

God bless!
~Sling Shot
 
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