Works Of Mercy
Works of Mercy
The Baby boomer generation has grown up. They have had children and their children have had children. Approximately 76 million baby boomers are left in the United States, and unfortunately growing older has dismal side effects. Dementia and Alzheimer's affects 1 of 3 seniors and is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. Through working with seniors who have Alzheimer's and dementia, I have learned a lot about myself, the people, and the disease.
For Works of Mercy, I felt called to work at Autumn Leaves. At this assisted living facility, many of the patients have dementia or Alzheimer's disease so they do not remember short term as well as long term events. Throughout my visits I sang praise songs, visited with …show more content…
Grandmommy resided in an assisted facility with many other elderly people who loved having visitors. Through that experience, i was able to immerse myself in the opportunity to serve at Autumn Leaves. My visits with the men and women at Autumn Leaves Memory Care Facility gave me a glimpse back to what I had experienced with Grandmommys friends. However, this time around I learned a lot about myself. A discovery was made that I have a passion for listening to others and exchanging stories. Often the patients would give me advice, whether it was about family, boys, or school. I listened to them tell me tales of a road trip they took with their brother or the thrill of starting their own company. Piece by piece i found myself in these stories. Very quickly it was apparent that there was a drive in me to make stories like these. Not recreate them, but have adventures of my …show more content…
The family often times has trouble coping with the memory loss and will visit perhaps once or twice a year. The people at Autumn Leaves were overjoyed to have so many young people there willing to sing and talk with them. While they might not remember it in a week, I take pleasure in knowing that for a short time they were happy.
In conclusion, my time at Autumn Leaves was very impactful. Not only was i able to influence people in a positive manner, i was also able to be educated on a disease that affects millions. While working there i learned what one of my passions is. Listening and connecting with others through stories. This is a character trait i hope to develop further and will carry it with me for years to come. Spending time at Autumn Leaves was an experience that I will treasure and look back on
The Baby boomer generation has grown up. They have had children and their children have had children. Approximately 76 million baby boomers are left in the United States, and unfortunately growing older has dismal side effects. Dementia and Alzheimer's affects 1 of 3 seniors and is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. Through working with seniors who have Alzheimer's and dementia, I have learned a lot about myself, the people, and the disease.
For Works of Mercy, I felt called to work at Autumn Leaves. At this assisted living facility, many of the patients have dementia or Alzheimer's disease so they do not remember short term as well as long term events. Throughout my visits I sang praise songs, visited with …show more content…
Grandmommy resided in an assisted facility with many other elderly people who loved having visitors. Through that experience, i was able to immerse myself in the opportunity to serve at Autumn Leaves. My visits with the men and women at Autumn Leaves Memory Care Facility gave me a glimpse back to what I had experienced with Grandmommys friends. However, this time around I learned a lot about myself. A discovery was made that I have a passion for listening to others and exchanging stories. Often the patients would give me advice, whether it was about family, boys, or school. I listened to them tell me tales of a road trip they took with their brother or the thrill of starting their own company. Piece by piece i found myself in these stories. Very quickly it was apparent that there was a drive in me to make stories like these. Not recreate them, but have adventures of my …show more content…
The family often times has trouble coping with the memory loss and will visit perhaps once or twice a year. The people at Autumn Leaves were overjoyed to have so many young people there willing to sing and talk with them. While they might not remember it in a week, I take pleasure in knowing that for a short time they were happy.
In conclusion, my time at Autumn Leaves was very impactful. Not only was i able to influence people in a positive manner, i was also able to be educated on a disease that affects millions. While working there i learned what one of my passions is. Listening and connecting with others through stories. This is a character trait i hope to develop further and will carry it with me for years to come. Spending time at Autumn Leaves was an experience that I will treasure and look back on