I recently made a few visits an animal shelter, and was happy to see that they have volunteers who regularly come in to be sure that each animal gets 20 minutes of one-on-one time. They spend this time petting, talking to the pet, and holding them. This time is logged, before moving on to the next animal.
I wonder why they don't have equal time, enough volunteers, in the nursing homes and assisted living facilities to spend one-on-one time with the lonely, confused, and sometimes frightened elderly and sick. They need comfort and love, too. Simple things, like reading to them, taking them for a walk, and holding their hands go a long way.
If this truly concerns you and you are a member of a church or other group, why not organize something yourself? A weekly craft, a sing-a-long if someone you know plays an instrument. Who was the famous person who said, “Be the change”?
Far fewer animal shelters than nursing homes.
Animals give unconditional love, even the abused, it can be incredible to watch them develop trust.
Volunteering in a care facility forces people to face their own mortality.
Animals are not going to criticize friendly visitors.
Animals are not going to make racist or misogynistic comments.
People are busier than ever and there is a limit to how much volunteering any one person can do. Perhaps the answer is in getting more people volunteering in general. I know so many who have not volunteered any time to their community. And I know some who are at every event, that needs a volunteer.
There are many organizations that facilitate friendly visitors and some people do it on their own. Some corporations give their staff time off to volunteer at community events, perhaps they also give time for other volunteering efforts?
My eldest son was a volunteer dog walker at the local SPCA and my daughter was a youth volunteer (Candy Striper) at both our local hospital and a nursing home. Me, I spent over 50 hours volunteering last month.
If you have a family member or friend in a nursing home, I encourage you to visit them. Also, some community groups, church groups, volunteer some time, or may provide some services. Check with your church or check through your public health department if they have information about volunteer opportunities.
We really need to get our Boy and Girl Scouts of hischool age. 4H or Youth Church organizations. Teach them what Dementia is and how to deal with it. The elderly love young people. It would teach our children empathy.
This is a great and humane idea. I believe here in the Los Angeles areas proponents of ethical care are working on this opportunity as the aging population continues to grow and working, 2 income families are increasing.
Mom's AL/NH has volunteer visitors (although I've only ever seen one woman) and while it is lovely that she donates her time she is invariably visiting with the more active seniors who least need that kind of interaction. We've had little kids and their sitters come in this summer to join the NH music and singalong hour but they don't know the songs and don't interact with the residents, I'm not sure what either side gets out of it. It's easy to take your pet over to the woman practically jumping out of her chair with excitement, not so obvious to have poochie quietly interact with the motionless person who rarely opens their eyes. And in my observation other than something like an appreciation BBQ to many volunteers never get any feedback from the facility on whether their programs are successful or appreciated or what they could do to improve them if they are not.
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