My experience in a nursing home "La divina providencia".

Several days ago, I was able to visit a nursing home called "La divina
providencia" located in San Vicente Chicoloapan where also there are disabled
people and some nursing students work there to gain knowledge. My task was to
keep the elderly company, so I made them cards and cookies, and prepared
performances to keep them entertained (offering my time, treasures, and
talent).In all honesty, I didnt know what to expect. It was hard to imagine the
difference I could make in their lives, since I was just a strange giving them a
visit. But now I know not to underestimate a strangers capacity to impact
anothers life, because the effects can be tenfold.
When I arrived, the first job was to learn some names and faces, by going in and
talking to some of the residents. Although most of them did not have too many
issues with communication, it was obvious which patients were beginning to
show signs of dementia. Roxana one of nursing students explained to me how
she was responsible for making sure that the residents (wherever possible) were
kept mentally and physically active, with an aim to prolong the integrity of their
minds. First on the list of activities was indoor boules. It was fascinating how such
a simple activity can display so clearly how the different afflictions that are so
common in old age can affect a persons ability to perform simple tasks, such as
roll a ball as close as possible to another ball in the middle of the room, from their
chair. What surprised me most was that the overall winner was a long- term
stroke victim, who was paralysed down the left hand side of her body. I sat down
with the winner and she told me about her grandchildren, and the games they
play with her when they come to visit. She also praised the home for the care she
was receiving, which is a rare occurrence in care facilities. I noticed as she was
talking that although she was paralysed down one side, her speech was good,
and the detail she went into with her words indicated that, despite recovering
from a stroke, her cognitive ability was extremely good.
After this, I was taken on a tour of the dementia support unit on the first floor.
Here I encountered some of the more physically demanding patients, some of
whom could seem quite calm and reasonable one minute, but suddenly display
all kinds of odd behaviour. Ashley caters for residents will all types of dementia
(Alzheimers, Lewy body dementia, vascular, and frontotemporal dementia).
This brought me up to the end of my visit, and I wouldve never predicted how
amazing the effects of my visit to the nursing home would be. After greeting the
elderly and speaking to them one on one, I was amazed by how appreciative they
were for my visit. Perhaps they felt lonely or abandoned before, but now tears of
joy glistened in their eyes. Maybe all people need is to know they are cared for,
even by a simple stranger.
Moreover, I was stunned by the optimism they had for their future, even at old
age. They were so youthful in spirit, regardless of their frail bodies. They were
selfless enough to tell me to take care of myself, even if they were the ones in
wheelchairs. It taught me that happiness can exist, even at old age, regardless of
discouraging circumstances or diminishing health.