"That Sounds Kind of Hollow to Me"

Well I have found myself quite busy again and have allowed 11 days to pass between posts. I know everyone has been anticipating this one. I have nothing to say really, I just didn't want my father-in-law to comment again on the freshness of my blog, or the lack thereof.

I had to work on Saturday last week and it looks like a partial day is in store for me this Saturday. Last week I worked with a group of people ages 77-92. The 77 year-old claimed she was 60. Today another 70+ year-old claimed she was 32. The only way she could reconcile the discrepancy between her 32 years and her son's 50 years was to conclude that "there must be something wrong with him." As you can see, the group I was working with last Saturday lacked appropriate cognitive skills. Most couldn't hear so I was required to scream everything at least twice. I had 30 minutes of therapy planned but saying everything twice, I was able to charge 60 minutes. I was instructing on some strategy to improve their memory and in making the point I kind of knocked on my head and made that popping sound with my lips. Without missing a beat the most auditorily challenged 92 year-old stated, "That sounds kind of hollow to me." At which the other 3 members of the group laughed hysterically. I failed to see the humor. How in the world can I be talking loudly, in a pitch below my normal frequency, enunciating deliberately twice and they not hear me, but I make one popping sound and she says that and they all have perfect hearing all of a sudden? I don't get it.

I am learning something about what elderly people are concerned about though. It is not usually what day it is, "Who cares what day it is?" is a question I get often. Many times they are asking where their family is or when they are going to be there. They are concerned about how they are going to pay for this lunch that is way too much food for them to eat. They are concerned about their spouse who is now living alone because they are in the nursing facility. They are battling for their independence as they feel it slipping from their grasp. Many realize they may never return to their home of 50 years. Many suffer depression and anxiety stemming from such losses. Many experience an anger they never knew they were capable of feeling. Most, at some point, come to accept this fate, but there is always something in the air that they just don't want to be there.

I could go on, but I wish most people could get a glimpse of the residents of a nursing facility. I try to see them as people with souls and feelings; real feelings that shouldn't be ignored. Sure it is easy sometimes in our busyness to put off the guy who lays on the call light all day long, or to pacify the lady who has a small bladder, but if it was us or our family member, we would have a different perspective. Most people have plenty of visitors, but there a lonely few who I take extra time with most days. I would encourage Christians to take their kids to the nursing facility and just stop and talk to whoever they see. Kids have a way of brightening an elder's day. They just light up and many smile where they haven't had reason to smile for a time. I promise that you will be blessed as well. It is a great way to serve. The elderly population have insights and perspectives of life from which we younger people can learn and grow. There is much to appreciate from those seasoned by life.

I am thankful that I work in a place that offers me education in living everyday. I pray I am wise enough to ask, listen, and heed.