I volunteer a few hours/week in a local nursing and rehab facility. I'm wondering how older people view volunteers, who range in age from 16 to mid-80's.
2007-09-15 00:03:49 · 8 answers · asked by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Community Service
Thanks to all for your answers. I'm glad to know all this information. I can't choose a best answer, so I'm leaving it up to the voters.
2007-09-16 04:30:59 · update #1
Generally they are considered nice people.
2007-09-15 00:07:48 · answer #1 · answered by Beau R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You aren't likely to get any answers from the older people who actually inhabit nursing homes, most of them wouldn't know how to turn on a computer, much less be frequent visitors to Yahoo Answers. lol
But both of my grandparents were in nursing homes recently, so perhaps I can give you my opinion instead
The volunteers were very nice people. They are usually people who have a big heart to begin with, to volunteer their time in that way. I think they perform an invaluable service and I am sure the people they help know that, in whatever way they are capable of knowing.
The full time staff of long term care facilities can become inured to the suffering around them and develop what is called 'compassion fatigue,' resulting in their being less attuned to their charges than they should be. So the volunteers take up that slack, and deal with the patients with the compassion that is so important.
You may notice something the regular staff has overlooked, or give a kind word and a smile to someone who hasn't had one in awhile, and those are wonderful things to do, so your services are a great benefit to those you serve. :)
2007-09-15 00:28:05 · answer #2 · answered by mastermindme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a receptionist in a nursing home for the last 6 years. Our residents Love our younger volunteers !!!!!,,and our middle age ones, and Older ones !....JUST ALL OF THEM !!!!!
The Young People are the High Light of their Day !. Some do Not Ever have any visitors at All (very sad), so this is like their grandchildren to them.
My Mom volunteers and she is 73, says she is too young for senior citizens. She calls calls Bingo every week, goes on "Lunch Bunch", when they go out to eat at a local Restaurant, she goes when they take them to a Dept. store to go shopping with their money. She is also the "Welcome Lady"...Takes them a lap robe and a little gift when they enter the Home,
There is no certain age for volunteering, we have 1 lady in her early eighty's who comes and leads a weekly Bible study.
The residents Loves them all !!!! They Love that extra Tender Love Care and Attention !!! I would Most Fully He artfully encourage you to volunteer, in the end you are the one who will be Blessed !! Many Stars to You !
2007-09-15 00:24:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Volunteer first help squad (might choose you to alter into an EMT - yet it extremely is a sturdy element) Volunteer with mentally challenged persons Volunteer some time with the handicapped - alongside with commencing up for the blind or perhaps in a nursing abode doing activities with the seniors. while i replaced into in college we would bypass in the different week and supply the girls "manicures" - they enjoyed it!
2016-10-08 21:56:50 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My late mother-in-law was in a nursing facility (she was 82 when she died) and I visited with her often. Everytime she would tell me about the wonderful volunteer who brought her fresh ice water or flowers or just took the time each day to talk with her. She appreciated the little extra attention - sometimes the volunteer would bring her a magazine because she couldn't get one herself to pass the time. Older people APPRECIATE you and the families APPRECIATE all you do for their loved ones. Volunteers who come in and sing for the old folks are also especially appreciated. It shows you care and the old folks love you for coming.
2007-09-15 00:15:03 · answer #5 · answered by fsnail 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OLDER FOLKS ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE VOLUNTEERS AND MUCH APPRECIATE THEIR CARING CONCERN AND HAPPY FACES AND GENTLENESS AND FRIENDLINESS. SOMETIMES A RESIDENT MAY SEEM A BIT BITTER IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER BUT SOMETIMES THEY ARE IN PAIN AND CANT HEAR WELL OR SOME SUCH THING SO ITS NICE TO SPEAK LOUD ENOUGH AND SLOW ENOUGH SO THEY CAN GRASP WHAT IS SAID. SOME RESIDENTS MIGHT PREFER A CERTAIN AGE PERSON TO ATTEND TO THEM FOR EXAMPLE, BATHING THEM ETC. AND ALSO A CERTAIN GENDER.
2007-09-15 00:23:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your like a breath of fresh air. Volunteers are always so caring and go out of their way to help. Your thought fullness is greatly appreciated
2007-09-16 14:23:47 · answer #7 · answered by Sebastian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They LOVE them !!! Bless you ,bless you bless you .!!!
2007-09-15 02:20:17 · answer #8 · answered by Bemo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋