My World Tuesday, => actually photos from my world as I made my rounds around Muskoka on Monday.Visitors make a difference. I visited my friend in LTC and saw this woman on her way back to her room after dinner. It is a lovely residence, if you are unable to cook, clean and manage ADLs for yourself. There is laughter and love, despite underfunding in this government-run institution. I visit weekly. I wrote about Michele in my book, and she is so proud. I am going to help her write her obituary this week. She is planning her funeral.
Sometimes you just have to laugh. A belated birthday present for the old guy. He can even sing the whole Mickey Mouse song. Watch for it on YouTube! :-)
Love makes the world go around. A mentor and her client show their expressive art theme.
It is best to hold someone's hand.
In fact the photos were taken at The Hospice Youth Expressive Arts Grief & Loss Recovery Program, facilitated by Elke Scholz.
One young girl made a representation of herself and her mentor in the photo below. We were so moved. Such a simple means by which we honour our clients and recognize how important therapy is for a child.
Does make me realize how much I have to be thankful for and quickly stuffs a sock in my mouth when I think "oh poor me, getting old". Thanks for the reminder. Have to admit though, it looks as though they have a good place to be!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week!
Sylvia
It is good for people to be connected.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like your last shot. The little people look so cheerful.
ReplyDeleteSuch a heart-warming post!
ReplyDeleteyou certainly made me laugh with that man's hat and gloves
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful post and I had some comments in my mind, but I read Sylvia's comment just above as the comment form was loading and -- (as my grandchildren would say) "what she said"!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Such a touching post Jenn. I have been spending time with Betty who has been placed in the hospital to die. She has Alziemers and her dedicated partner is taking a little breather so the community is picking up the slack. She is a remarkable woman and the staff at our tiny(4 bed) hospital are amazing. Thank you for sharing experiences many of us would chose to ignore.
ReplyDeleteI love the "old man's" get up!!
Smiles and blessings to you Jenn.
We have a similar issue in our town and the town's regular volunteers have been giving care. I tell my daughter: pop me on the raft and shove me into the lake when I get there!
ReplyDeleteI suffered caregiver burnout with my parents and understand the stress. I wrote about it in my book, and still write about it at Ontario Seniors .
Touching post Jenn Jilks. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteA very nice post and the photos are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteA very thought provoking post. We don't have such a nice facility here in Powell River. We are hoping to get funding to replace our care unit soon. - Margy
ReplyDeleteI, too, suffered caregiver burnout nursing my Mom at the end... It's brutal, and leaves lasting guilt. No matter how much I did, it was never, could never be, enough... at least in my eyes!
ReplyDeleteHappier note -- I LOVE the photo of the snow clouds over the lake! You'd better not be on your raft just yet!!!