Nursing Home ministry - please share your experience

[water]

If you visit or had visited a nursing home before, what are your experiences about this?

It seems that when we visit elderly at a nursing home, we, the visitors, become visited – we receive so much from the elderly.

Thanks!

 

[MarieVeronica]

water, God bless you for posting this. :hug1: I couldn’t agree more.

I have not done Nursing Home Ministry, but I’m caregiver to my elderly mother. She is 86 and suffers from Alzheimer’s. Of course, that doesn’t make me an expert on the elderly. But just from the few times that she has been in rehab in nursing homes… I could get a sense. I have made observations, and been able to interact with a few of these treasured souls.

We can learn so much from those who are “ahead of us”, on lifes difficult journey. The elderly in our society suffer from a sort of “poverty”, in age. They are “on the Cross”, so to speak. I have often noticed an unearthly beauty, in the eyes of an elderly person. They are close to God. And I have learned (from an extremely patient and gentle Lord Jesus) that my mother is one of the greatest blessings of my life. She is providing me with endless opportunities to gain graces… a favor from God… which I surely do not deserve. :nope: It is a privilege and a grace from God… to care for the elderly.

I will treasure every single moment that Our dear Lord grants me, with my mother. And I have a feeling, that the elderly will always be a part of my life, in one way or another.

 

[water]

water, God bless you for posting this. :hug1: I couldn’t agree more.

I have not done Nursing Home Ministry, but I’m caregiver to my elderly mother. She is 86 and suffers from Alzheimer’s. Of course, that doesn’t make me an expert on the elderly. But just from the few times that she has been in rehab in nursing homes… I could get a sense. I have made observations, and been able to interact with a few of these treasured souls.

We can learn so much from those who are “ahead of us”, on lifes difficult journey. The elderly in our society suffer from a sort of “poverty”, in age. They are “on the Cross”, so to speak. I have often noticed an unearthly beauty, in the eyes of an elderly person. They are close to God. And I have learned (from an extremely patient and gentle Lord Jesus) that my mother is one of the greatest blessings of my life. She is providing me with endless opportunities to gain graces… a favor from God… which I surely do not deserve. :nope: It is a privilege and a grace from God… to care for the elderly.

I will treasure every single moment that Our dear Lord grants me, with my mother. And I have a feeling, that the elderly will always be a part of my life, in one way or another.

Thank you, MarieVeronica, for sharing your caring for your mother. The way you put into words are very beautiful and meaningful. God bless you for looking after your mother!

When I visit the elderly at the Alzheimer’s, I always feel wonderful to know that even if they forgot their names, many still can pray Our Father or a Hail Mary. Some of them could no longer talk at all, but I could feel as if they are talking with me in a special bond.

When they are eager to receive the Holy Eucharist, they make me think hard about not skipping daily mass when I have a chance to go. Witnessing their love for Jesus is an awesome experience.

When I see some lying in bed … almost helpless, they remind me of myself - no matter how strong or proud I am, some day I will be like a child depending on others. This alone can take away some, if not a lot, my own ego.

When I hear about an elderly passed away, it helps me think more for my own death and be prepared.

When someone at a dying bed, deny receiving the Holy Eucharist, it sadden me, but it helps me pray more for those people … and for me to have a happy death.

When I say “Hello! How are you?” to an elderly in a hallway at a nursing home and they reply “I am fine!”, it makes me smile.

I hope I am not boasting about myself here, but I am just telling how great it is to visit someone at a Nursing home – if any of us here at CAF has a chance, please ask your parish if they have this ministry. You can go along with them for few times.

 

[fender5467]

I’ve never done any Nursing Home ministry, yet.
However, my friend and I (we sing in the parish choir together) are considering going out to our local NH on Sundays and singing gospel and hymns to the people. The NH staff is really excited about it. Does that sound good to anyone else?

 

[puzzleannie]

we go there to say the rosary every Friday, and take youth group and various CCD classes for visits, singing a few times a year (when we can get chaperones). it is a school for sainthood, for simply being present to the Lord in spite of, or becaues of, any infirmities. down here the NH is only for the most severely afflicted seniors who cannot be cared for at home, so consquently they have the most to teach us and give us. Cannot overstate the benefits of regular time with them, for me personally. The rosary is during their recreation and snack time, only a few are actually able to participate, but these are the most meaningful rosaries I say during the week. When we bring holy cards, drawings or little items made by CCD students, or little gifts their delight is so patent even when they cannot speak.

The teens cannot get over the fact that when they visit, and usually they have one to one time with at least one resident, how many people say, “you are the first person to visit me in months.” and so many of the kids choose careers geared at caring for elderly, and continue to visit long after they have left CCD. I have also heard many times that these visits make them more sensitive and caring of their own grandparents.

 

[water]

When we bring holy cards, drawings or little items made by CCD students, or little gifts their delight is so patent even when they cannot speak.

The teens cannot get over the fact that when they visit, and usually they have one to one time with at least one resident, how many people say, “you are the first person to visit me in months.” and so many of the kids choose careers geared at caring for elderly, and continue to visit long after they have left CCD. I have also heard many times that these visits make them more sensitive and caring of their own grandparents.

I like these 2 ideas - 1) bringing gifts and items made by students. 2) have students visit them.

I will discuss this with someone in charge of our group about the ideas.

Thanks!

 

[water]

I’ve never done any Nursing Home ministry, yet.
However, my friend and I (we sing in the parish choir together) are considering going out to our local NH on Sundays and singing gospel and hymns to the people. The NH staff is really excited about it. Does that sound good to anyone else?

It sounds excellent. I also met a lady at a parking lot in front of a supermarket one day. I complimented her on her new car. Next thing I knew we were talking about Nursing Home. She isn’t a Catholic and she loves to visit the elderly. She plays flute and read Gospel to them.

 

[InLight247]

I’ve never done any Nursing Home ministry, yet.
However, my friend and I (we sing in the parish choir together) are considering going out to our local NH on Sundays and singing gospel and hymns to the people. The NH staff is really excited about it. Does that sound good to anyone else?

That sounds very good.
When my son was in high school, he has a classic guitar band including 3 kids. They went to nursing homes to play music, and I usually went with them.

It was wonderful. Those precious people all sat together and listened. They enjoyed the music, they also enjoyed seeing the young kids. Music lifts up people’s spirit.

God bless!

 

[puzzleannie]

bear in mind that if you want to bring a group to visit, esp. children or youth, you have to work with the activity director of the nursing home and go on their schedule, not yours. Also of course you have to follow the norms for your diocese on field trips.

 

[water]

bear in mind that if you want to bring a group to visit, esp. children or youth, you have to work with the activity director of the nursing home and go on their schedule, not yours. Also of course you have to follow the norms for your diocese on field trips.

Thanks, I know this procedure. I wouldn’t do anything without permission and discussion with people in charge.