window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-GEQWY429QJ');

 

ENTITY explains reasons why you should volunteer nursing home.

When someone encourages you to start volunteering, what places pop into your mind? Serving food to at your local homeless shelters? Comforting animals in kennels and helping them get adopted? If helping out others’ grandmas and grandpas isn’t on your list, you need to change your thinking ASAP! Although nursing homes are intended to give older individuals all the care they need, they often fall short on regular social interaction. After all, while employees can care for and talk to the elderly residents, the imbalanced ratio of employees to residents limits the time nurses have to just chat.

Not sure what volunteering at a nursing home would involve? It’s actually quite simple: sitting down and talking with an older person, listening to their life stories and just being some kind and thoughtful company. Some seniors in these homes rarely receive visits from family and friends, and others don’t receive any visits at all. The fact is that the couple of hours you take out of each week to visit the nursing home could be the hours these people look forward to most.

Attending to the social needs of seniors can involve almost limitless activities from going for a stroll to painting someone’s nails. Just think of it like a date with your best friend – only she or he happens to be a few decades older than you! As long as you’re making the residents feel loved and heard, you’re performing an invaluable service to a group of individuals who aren’t often categorized as “people in need.”

How much of a difference can your few volunteer hours make? Not only do you keep nursing home residents from feeling lonely, but you also act as a brain trainer. Older brains need stimulation just as much as younger brains, and these conversations and time spent with seniors can help keep elderly individuals sharp and happy. However, volunteering at nursing homes isn’t a totally selfless act worthy of Mother Teresa. The companionship you provide can also benefit you as you learn from their life experiences and hone your own social skills. Ready to jump into action (or at least jump in your car to drive to the nursing home)? Visit the Hospice Foundation of America to find a nursing home near you.

Sorry, no related posts found.

Send this to a friend