Yesterday was my last day of volunteering for this assignment. I arrived today and learned that a resident had passed on. It was sad, but I know that these things happen and come with the nature of the environment. This morning I went on my usual walk around the facility with Conchita. Today Conchita wanted to take the house dog “Sweetie” with us. We walked for about half an hour and discussed the whether and her recent visit with her daughter and sons. Its difficult because I have heard the same story at least 20 times by now. Conchita is in the first stage of Alzheimer’s disease. She is very alert and her long term memory is wonderful. Its her short term memory that has started to diminish. I just pretend like I am hearing the story for the first time. Even though she repeats herself frequently, I still enjoy spending time with her because she truly appreciates the time I spent with her. After our walk, Conchita shared with me a scrapbook that her sons had put together for her. I was able to enjoy looking at her younger years and experiences.
After I spent some time, Conchita became tired and felt the need to take a nap. We said goodbye and I moved along to spend time with other residents. I worked with some of the other residents that I have become friendly with: Amy, Carl, Elizabeth, Mike and Fran. We all participated in what they call “Word Wizard”. In word wizard a bunch of letters are randomly taken from a bag, (ten letters or so) and the words are written on a white board where everyone can see them. Then, we try to take the letters and make as many words as we can. Its fun and interesting to watch how sharp their minds still are. We played for about an hour. This concluded my allotted time.
In conclusion, I feel that there was a great benefit from the service learning portion of the class. I have previous volunteer experience, but for those who don’t have any, it really forces you to get involved with the community. I think there are many assumptions that students have about volunteering, most of them are not true and you cant find out until you participate. For me, this semester has been especially hard on me, so I haven’t been able to spend as much time as I used to volunteering. As I have mentioned before with six full classes, working full time, an occasional infection and wisdom teeth pulling; I found it extremely hard to balance them all and find the time to volunteer and find the time to reflect in my blog. Somehow I managed to do it and once I have more time on my hands like in the summer; I plan to keep visiting Conchita and the other residents in the Sunrise community. The overall best part of this experience was the feeling I left with each and every time. I felt valued and truly appreciated. It really makes you feel good about yourself.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Meeting with other Residents
On Monday I went to Sunrise to see Conchita. Today Conchita was not feeling well. This gave me a chance to interact with other residents. I started off the day by helping out and taking the sunrise dogs for a walk with a lovely couple: Allison and Jeffrey. I think it is so wonderful that a couple can participate in an assisted living program together. We talked about their experiences they had at Sunrise, If they liked the situation, and their overall feeling of the environment. Their feelings as well as the other residents that I have interacted with all have this same consensus of Sunrise being a well-balanced enjoyable place to spend their final years. I really was so impressed with this facility that I discussed it with my parents. My parents felt as if I was trying to sell them on an assisted living arrangement. Anyways, today since Conchita was not feeling well, I participated in activities with other residents. First I led a Tai Chi class with my advisor Lisa. This was nice because everyone is so excited to see new faces around Sunrise. The residents are so interested in who you are. I guess when you think about it, many don’t have a lot of visitors, so it helps to have new faces around. I have been told that volunteers and new faces around the Sunrise facility are very much appreciated by the residents.
After Tai Chi, I participated in a baking session with some ladies. Followed by baking was lunch time. I sat with residents and enjoyed a nice Chinese Chicken Salad. I mostly answered questions. I didn’t get to ask many questions to these other residents because everyone was excited to find out who I was and what I was doing there. Its nice to see the excitement on their faces when you tell them you are a volunteer. After lunch was over, I worked with some of the ladies during a gardening class. An interesting fact about this particular Sunrise is that everyday there is a type of social where residents get to socialize with each other. Its very cute. Today’s social was based around it being national pretzels day. I got to read some interesting facts about this historical day. After reading, I facilitated a cross word puzzle. I read off the clues and they filled it in on their own worksheets. I have been really busy lately, so its been hard to get all my posts in. When I go an volunteer I jot down notes in a notebook of things I did that day. I just have not had a chance to blog them as of yet. So if you notice that I have my posts done later or a few in the same day , its because I haven’t had a chance to blog them yet. (its hard to balance 6 classes and a full time job)
After Tai Chi, I participated in a baking session with some ladies. Followed by baking was lunch time. I sat with residents and enjoyed a nice Chinese Chicken Salad. I mostly answered questions. I didn’t get to ask many questions to these other residents because everyone was excited to find out who I was and what I was doing there. Its nice to see the excitement on their faces when you tell them you are a volunteer. After lunch was over, I worked with some of the ladies during a gardening class. An interesting fact about this particular Sunrise is that everyday there is a type of social where residents get to socialize with each other. Its very cute. Today’s social was based around it being national pretzels day. I got to read some interesting facts about this historical day. After reading, I facilitated a cross word puzzle. I read off the clues and they filled it in on their own worksheets. I have been really busy lately, so its been hard to get all my posts in. When I go an volunteer I jot down notes in a notebook of things I did that day. I just have not had a chance to blog them as of yet. So if you notice that I have my posts done later or a few in the same day , its because I haven’t had a chance to blog them yet. (its hard to balance 6 classes and a full time job)
Morning With Conchita
This past Saturday, I went to visit Conchita. Perfect timing, as I arrived, she was just finishing breakfast. We began the morning with a walk around the facility. Like I have mentioned before she is a very active 91 year old woman. During our walk Conchita decided to tell me about her childhood and why she ended up coming to America. She was born and raised in Mexico and came from a very wealthy family. She is a strong Roman Catholic and conveyed that her faith was extremely important to her and her family. She expressed to me that one of the reasons why her family had left Mexico at that time was because the President or leader of Mexico at that time closed all the Catholic churches. Churches were being vandalized and her family just couldn’t take it. So, they relocated to California where she spent the remainder of her childhood and the majority of her life. Throughout her life Conchita traveled all around the world. She attended UCLA and graduated with a Masters degree in Spanish. After marrying and having children, Conchita decided to become a professor. She started teaching Spanish in high school and then moved to teaching at colleges around the area.
After our walk, we returned to a sitting area outside her living quarters. Everyday Conchita likes to do her crossword puzzles. So, today we did a crossword puzzle today that was about famous poetry authors. I am still amazed every time I spend time with Conchita how together her memory still is at 91 years of age. She does have trouble repeating herself. After a while, you just get used to it. After the crossword puzzle was done (took a while to complete) I read to her from the book she was reading which was called “The Quiet Man.” After reading for a while, it was time for lunch. I was able to sit with Conchita and enjoy eating lunch with her. It was nice to see how friendly she is with all the other residents. Although, at Sunrise essentially everyone is a resident. However, I just don’t see it that way. I see everyone as one big family. Everyone is just so friendly and so nice to each other. After lunch, we did some gardening in a gardening class that she likes to attend. At the end of my time spent with Conchita, again she thanked me for spending so much time with her. One of the things, I really started to notice is that all the residents really enjoy having visitors and having new people around. When I was eating lunch, a group of older ladies wanted to know all about me and were very fascinated that I was there spending time with Conchita. It is nice to feel appreciated for something that is really so simple as giving up some free time.
After our walk, we returned to a sitting area outside her living quarters. Everyday Conchita likes to do her crossword puzzles. So, today we did a crossword puzzle today that was about famous poetry authors. I am still amazed every time I spend time with Conchita how together her memory still is at 91 years of age. She does have trouble repeating herself. After a while, you just get used to it. After the crossword puzzle was done (took a while to complete) I read to her from the book she was reading which was called “The Quiet Man.” After reading for a while, it was time for lunch. I was able to sit with Conchita and enjoy eating lunch with her. It was nice to see how friendly she is with all the other residents. Although, at Sunrise essentially everyone is a resident. However, I just don’t see it that way. I see everyone as one big family. Everyone is just so friendly and so nice to each other. After lunch, we did some gardening in a gardening class that she likes to attend. At the end of my time spent with Conchita, again she thanked me for spending so much time with her. One of the things, I really started to notice is that all the residents really enjoy having visitors and having new people around. When I was eating lunch, a group of older ladies wanted to know all about me and were very fascinated that I was there spending time with Conchita. It is nice to feel appreciated for something that is really so simple as giving up some free time.
Activities with Conchita
This month has been a very difficult for me. On top of working full time and having six classes, I first encountered an infection which last for two weeks and also had my wisdom teeth pulled. Needless to say, last week I was able to go and visit with Conchita. I arrived and visited with Conchita, we sat together and talked about how she thought I reminded her of her daughter because of my long blond hair. Conchita is a big fan of cross word puzzles, so we sat together and worked on one. As I have mentioned before, Conchita really likes to stay active. She enjoys taking walks around the facility and participating in the Tai Chi and yoga classes offered. The classes that are offered are not like regular classes that one might think of. They are adjusted to level that make it easy for elders to participate. It came time for Tai Chi, so I joined Conchita in the class and participated in the exercises that she enjoys. It was really nice to interact with her on a level where she feels comfortable. It was also nice to see her in an element where she interacts with her friends. I am very impressed with this facility.
This particular sunrise was built two years ago and looks fantastic. I was so surprised to learn about all the activities that are offered. There is a daily schedule of planned outing or activities that residents can really choose whether or not they want to participate in. Activities include: physical fitness and exercise, baking, brainteasers, bible readings, Gim Rummy and checkers club, traveling club, geography, club, classic movie nights, cards/games, gardening, arts and crafts, music appreciation, and live entertainment. In addition, from my observing I have learned that Sunrise provides more of a relaxed environment where residents can come and go as they please. Sunrise is assisted living, they are really there just to assist not take over your life like a skilled nursing facility. I also thought it was very interesting that residents are allowed to drink their alcoholic beverages as well as smoke their cigars. In fact there is an actual designated area called the “vestibule room” where the men can go and smoke their cigars and drink their scotch. For the women, there is a hair salon where woman can enjoy getting their nails done as well their hair.
On this day, after visiting with Conchita, completing a crossword puzzle, and participating in Tai Chi; we decided to walk one of the house dogs. On our walk around the facility, Conchita continued to tell me about your seven children. She mentions almost every time I see her about her six boys and one daughter. She is pretty sharp for a 91 year old woman. When I first met her I was extremely impressed with her cognitive ability and her memory. I was so impressed, I went home to my parents and told them all about how intelligent she is and I really didn’t feel like I was talking with a 91 year old woman. However, as time went on I began to notice that she has trouble remembering what she has already told me. For example, every time she sees me she says the same thing. Also, within one conversation she will say the same thing at least 4 or 5 times. Its hard, but I just pretend like it’s the first time she is saying it to me. After our walk, Conchita felt tired and retired to her room for a nap. About an hour later, Conchita came out of her room. After her rest, we participated in some baking activities. I liked this a lot because it was something fun for me to do while interacting with her. At the end of our visit, Conchita showed her appreciation for spending time with her. When I left, I felt really good about myself. At first I was very skeptical about volunteering at an old folks home so to speak; but after my first couple of visits, I really started to enjoy it.
This particular sunrise was built two years ago and looks fantastic. I was so surprised to learn about all the activities that are offered. There is a daily schedule of planned outing or activities that residents can really choose whether or not they want to participate in. Activities include: physical fitness and exercise, baking, brainteasers, bible readings, Gim Rummy and checkers club, traveling club, geography, club, classic movie nights, cards/games, gardening, arts and crafts, music appreciation, and live entertainment. In addition, from my observing I have learned that Sunrise provides more of a relaxed environment where residents can come and go as they please. Sunrise is assisted living, they are really there just to assist not take over your life like a skilled nursing facility. I also thought it was very interesting that residents are allowed to drink their alcoholic beverages as well as smoke their cigars. In fact there is an actual designated area called the “vestibule room” where the men can go and smoke their cigars and drink their scotch. For the women, there is a hair salon where woman can enjoy getting their nails done as well their hair.
On this day, after visiting with Conchita, completing a crossword puzzle, and participating in Tai Chi; we decided to walk one of the house dogs. On our walk around the facility, Conchita continued to tell me about your seven children. She mentions almost every time I see her about her six boys and one daughter. She is pretty sharp for a 91 year old woman. When I first met her I was extremely impressed with her cognitive ability and her memory. I was so impressed, I went home to my parents and told them all about how intelligent she is and I really didn’t feel like I was talking with a 91 year old woman. However, as time went on I began to notice that she has trouble remembering what she has already told me. For example, every time she sees me she says the same thing. Also, within one conversation she will say the same thing at least 4 or 5 times. Its hard, but I just pretend like it’s the first time she is saying it to me. After our walk, Conchita felt tired and retired to her room for a nap. About an hour later, Conchita came out of her room. After her rest, we participated in some baking activities. I liked this a lot because it was something fun for me to do while interacting with her. At the end of our visit, Conchita showed her appreciation for spending time with her. When I left, I felt really good about myself. At first I was very skeptical about volunteering at an old folks home so to speak; but after my first couple of visits, I really started to enjoy it.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Meeting with Conchita
A few weeks ago, I met with a lady named Conchita. Conchita is a beautiful petite 91 year old woman, whom despite having memory difficulties is full of life. She was born and raised in Mexico and came to the United States to go to school. She earned a Bachelors degree in Business and later went on to earn a Masters degree in Spanish. She has seven children; five boys and two girls. In addition she also has 6 grandchildren. Ironically all but one are girls. For our first meeting we spent the majority of our time getting to know each other. She enjoys the sunrise community because of the enormous amount of activities and flexibility. She is very active she likes to participate in the morning exercise classes which I took part in with her. She likes to go on walks and enjoy the outside environment. I really enjoyed this first visit. I felt rewarded for volunteering my time. I never realized how important volunteers are wanted and needed. Conchita was such a delight and I look forward to getting to know her further.
First Meeting
In the beginning of March I Met with Lisa Villasenor at the Senior Sunrise facility in Westlake Village. She was an extremely energetic and nice lady that really influenced me to volunteer more than my required twenty hours of service. We had an orientation where she showed me around the facility. The facility is beautiful and bran new. I found it very interesting, there is planned activities everyday and residents can choose whether they want to participate or not. I also really liked how the residents in the home have their freedom; they can come and go as they please. In addition to offering activities like baking, sewing, arts and crafts, music playing, movie watching, etc; they also have vestibule rooms for residents that like to smoke cigars and a full hair salon for the ladies. I look forward to doing my volunteer work here at sunrise. I plan on attending the next orientation to learn the rules and regulations in order for my volunteer work.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
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