Entertainment isn’t just for young people

As I mentioned before, they keep everyone busy with activities at the nursing home, although no one is required to go to anything if they don’t want to.  The staff makes things available only, but leaves it up to each resident.  They want the people staying there to feel at home and in control of their lives.  This is probably the right way to run things.

There’s a full schedule every month with about four things happening each day that residents can take advantage of.  Some people prefer to have coffee and cookies in the afternoon where they can visit in the dining room instead of go to events, or to sit outside if it’s nice.

These two ladies are two of Mama's best friends.

This is Selma.  She's 102

 This one blows kisses and is man crazy.

 

Mama’s friends are characters.  These women carry on a conversation with each other and they can say the same things over and over and no one knows the difference.  They’re simply enjoying each other’s company, so I guess you can’t ask for any better than that.  Almost everyone knows each other because the facility is so small.

 This is the man who entertained us with guitar music

 

One afternoon we were all treated to some guitar music played by one of the residents.  I don’t know this fellows name, but he was very good and played some toe-tapping songs until it was time for dinner.  I was told he does this every week or so.  I was glad to see it.  I don’t think anyone should give up what they love to do just because they’re getting old.

I’m so glad a few of these people have family to visit them.  I really feel bad for the others and think how lonely they must be, but I guess you have to make the best of things if you wind up in that spot.

One gentleman ate alone in there and sat in front of the TV all evening.  I was told his wife had recently passed away.  He must not have any other family because no one came to visit him the whole time I was there.

                                                    This is the facility my mother stays in.

My sisters and I did pitch in and try to help with the residents when they were trying to maneuver from their walkers to chairs, etc.  And we went and got the nurse, or dietician, for them if they wanted something we couldn’t get for them.  Hanging out with these people is a different experience.  A lot of them had a hard time speaking, so it was a guessing game as to what they wanted to say.

I’m so glad I was able to visit Mama, meet her friends and see her new home.