if anyone has any free time on their hands

[pumba]

the nursing homes in your area may have a volunteer program to be able to sit with our citizens who are alone and need a friendly face. The other night at a local nursing home.....we encounted such a lady..she was holding and rubbing the hand of my husbands uncle.....who was dying......she was watching over him while his sons took a break......what a wonderful thing to do ....softly talking to him and just being there......he was in a coma but it was such a nice thing....I am going to look into the nursing homes volunteer program and see if I can be on call maybe a few times a month.....

 

[stamper]

Pumba what a nice thing!

 

[GoofItUp]

This is a wonderful thing to do....thanks for reminding us of something any of could do to help others!

 

[ilovepcot]

Bless you for that, Pumba! Unfortunately, as a geriatric nurse, I've seen many elderly die alone and that's heartbreaking. No one.......NO One!!!....... should have to die alone! I know in today's world there are many reasons, or sometimes just "excuses" given as to why this is unavoidable. Many of the elderly have family that could visit but are too tied up with other activities they feel must come first. Many say they just can't take "the depressing atmosphere" of a nursing home. Then there are many who have no family or close friends nearby. Unfortunately, many times the medical staff would really cherish the opportunity to take the hand of a dying patient and offer comfort, BUT........it's a sad fact that in most instances that won't happen due to facilities being so short staffed. Until miraculous changes take place, wonderful people such as yourself are greatly needed! Encourage everyone you know to get involved. Oh, and it isn't just the dying in these facilities that need you. Once you visit, you'll see where you can offer help is sooo many areas. Again...... Bless You!!!

 

[disneysnowflake]

We go visit our former neighbor. She's in a nursing home now. She's approaching 100 years old. Her only living child is 80 and lives about 2 hours away. She has nieces and nephews, but no one will visit her because they found out they weren't put in this woman's will. Sad. That lady never spent a night away from her home in 60 years until the day she was put into the nursing home.

The other residents get a kick out of my 10 year old when we visit. He's not shy at all and loves visiting with my former neighbor and several other residents. He draws them pictures and sings songs for them. He gets so many hugs and kisses. He's had several times when people passed away, and he was devastated, but we keep going back.

We also help out our neighbor across the street who just turned 90. She can't get around very good, but we really enjoy hearing her stories. She's known my husband since he was born.

I believe what goes around comes around. Do something nice for someone else, and one day that good deed will come back to you.

 

[Cruise04]

This is also a very good community service thing for scout groups (Boy and Girl), youth organizations, church groups, etc. to get some service hours in. The elderly do tend to love the younger kids and they love to sit and play games, cards, listen to them read, etc. There was a home here that was being "left behind" because everyone was going to the other nursing homes. I had gotten a call from someone in our church that was visiting the one that was being left behind and she said it would be a great place for the kids to give of their time. She would take her grandkids in there once in a while and she said the residents loved it.

Good idea Pumba!!!

 

[mickeyboat]

My elementary school was within walking distance to a nursing home. Our 6th or 7th grade class adopted grandparents there and we were taken to visit them every so often. We would have a group sing-a-long and visit with the residents. I would stop by on my own from time to time to visit Josepha. The residents really looked forward to our visits. The whole process made me feel a bit uncomfortable but it taught a valuable lesson. We moved from that town (Derby, KS) at the end of the school year and I never found out what happened to Josepha.

Denae

 

[Razor Roman]

When I was in choir in HS sometimes we would go to a nursing home and perform.. it's a great way to warm up in front of an audience, and they're always so appreciative and love even what the teenagers think is the corniest music! (I remember my grandma's face when Lawrence Welk was being rerun on PBS near me!)

 

[pumba]

I really want to do this.....hope others can do it too

 

[mommytotwo]

I used to volunteer at a nursing home where I live and it is sad to see how many of those patients living there doesn't have any family close by, yet they are still placed in a nursing home far away. I used to always help especially during Christmas to decorate the place, answer phones, .... and it was sad when those that I have come to know had passed, but it was a nice thing to know that yes you did touch their lives in a special way for just being there and talking to them.

 

[Serena]

I visit a lady that watched me grow up. It's heartbreaking to see her like this, but I go anyway.

 

[nativetxn]

Pumba, this is a great idea. I always make a point to talk a little with other residents when I'm visiting mother. I don't see a lot of people visiting when I'm at the facility but I visit during the day. I hope there are more visitors in the evening.