As the Mother’s Day is being celebrated with great fervor around the world, however, there are some mothers waiting with hopeful eyes in the nursing homes for a loved one or a friendly face to make their day too.
The nursing home residents in our communities are like our parents and grandparents, and more importantly, we should always remember that the benefits we reap today are due to their hard work and sacrifice. They deserve nothing less than our utmost attention. Unfortunately, we have left their entire responsibility on the nursing home staff, who are doing an incredible job, especially the nurse’s aides.
Perhaps, the fault is not entirely ours. For there are no collective or organized efforts to bring any kind of awareness to the general public that their simple visits, little time, a few kind words, and their appreciation can improve the nursing home environment and make the residents’ experience more joyful.
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Being in a nursing home for the past 20 years, I can say with certainty that it is the little acts of kindness that make a tremendous difference. And, the gratification of this kindness is always instant. I have experienced this fulfilment many times. But what I have personally gained from the elderly wisdom, experience, and constant encouragement is priceless. In fact, they made me believe that I too can make a positive impact even while living in a nursing home.
This year our nonprofit organization Mission Green Light (MGL) has taken up the challenge to determine a meaningful way to enhance and expand joyful interactions in the nursing home environments. Even to initiate this process is not an easy task, it needs collective inputs from those who have the experience and devoted their lives for the care of the elderly.
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We have started a meet-up group. The foremost objective of the meet-up group is to develop an effective awareness strategy that encourages people to visit nursing homes. There is no shortage of good people in this country. All that is required is an awareness of where their help is needed.
We are optimistic that this year MGL would be able to organize a One-Day Conference where visionaries would be invited to express their thoughts on this very important issue. We are hopeful that the Governor’s Office, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Aging, and Chicago based corporations and media would support these efforts.
We request people to join our meet-up group “WE CARE FOR OUR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS.” Our first meet-up is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2014 at Cafe Mozart, 600 Davis Street #1, Evanston, IL 60201 at 4:00 pm. To join the meet-up group please visit: http://www.meetup.com/Lets-Visit-Nursing-Homes/
Happy Mother’s Day!
