Columbia Aged Care

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Volunteers are always welcome at Columbia Aged Care's centres. Our residents love when visitors come - volunteers and family members really brighten their day.

Essortment.com's article, 'Volunteering Tips: A guide to nursing homes,' explores the benefits volunteers have on nursing homes. The article also provides a number of volunteering tips.

Volunteering is one of the greatest gifts you can give of yourself, and although you won't be rewarded financially, there is a great reward you'll receive just knowing that you've helped make a difference. It only takes one time to see the results of your efforts, and in turn your actions create waves of positive change.

Nursing home environments are one area that need a great deal of volunteers, for residents often get lonely and thrive from interaction with visitors. Residents who don't receive family visitors and room-bound individuals who have no outside contact especially benefit from the time spent visiting with a volunteer. Companionship not only boosts the mood but is actually therapeutic.

Whether you read to residents, talk to them, or simply sit quietly with them for a while, every minute you give them means so much. This is obvious on many of their faces that brighten up during such an interaction. You'll note how they respond to your efforts, and just a smile is all it takes to reach someone. Gifts such as flowers and candy are also welcomed, of course, because as we all know gifts are fun to receive. Gifts should be given the okay by your supervisor, of course, just to be on the safe side.

Even residents who appear angry, detached, confused or are suffering from such illnesses as dementia will react to the stimulation of another person. Some residents may be harder to reach than others, but each and every one of them is a human being, and human beings cannot survive without human contact. Try to remember that they once were as you are, and are still alive and have feelings despite their challenges.

To read full article CLICK HERE

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink

Stay Up to Date, Sign Up

Testimonials

"I would like to compliment Virgil for his efforts in coaxing my Mother to participate in the weekly fitness classes and Bingo sessions- This was my request at a relatives’ residents meeting two months ago and it is so good to see my Mother being encouraged to come out of her room and have some interaction with the other residents. Previous diversional therapists had not succeeded in doing this with my Mother. Keep up with the good work, Virgil! And thanks for keeping the residents entertained."
Rosie Ang

Columbia Aged Care

Volunteers touch lives

Comments

Post a Comment

Recent Posts

Archive

Tags

Ask About Admission

Stay Up to Date, Sign Up

Testimonials