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I cant resist adding  

Robyn5
10/31/2009 4:42 am
 When my Mother was in a Nursing Home for oldies, for respite care, many years ago, I remember one of the nurses would try and encourage some light entertainment for these patients, many of whom were a bit gaga, and many who werent. She started a singing session once, and suddenly out of the blue, this patient started to sing "I'll take you home again Kathleen" , - a lovely rendering of a lovely song.Everyone was surprised that she had such a beautiful voice. This woman never spoke when she was in there but she loved singing, but, noooooooooo, the others didnt like her getting all the praise and attention, so they started a good honest Old Fogies Fight in the middle of this lighter moment, and she stopped singing and withdrew back into herself.
My reaction was WHY CANT PEOPLE RELAX ENOUGH TO ENJOY SOMETHING THAT IS BEAUTIFUL, HAPPY, NORMAL, and think about another persons happiness. Even in their dotage!!!! well, a lot of them anyway, the old selfish, resentful and childish side to these women still came out to destroy a nice moment. Do people change in their old age, well, in this case, the women who still had their faculties, still showed their childish side and all craved the attention and limelight. Does anything change. I'll never forget that day, I was enjoying the song, joined in, and then BANG - a crowd of bitter oldies shut her up, I hope not for good. KEEP SINGING, Be glad to be alive, thank God for your health, be grateful to get out of bed in the mornings without too many aches and pains, - Thats how I start my day.
bijou624
5516 posts 

11/1/2009 1:20 am

 Hi Robyn: I did volunteer work at different old age homes over the years. The men residents seemed friendly but the women residents seemed to be either very depressed or very mean. Many women seemed to be totally isolated from the other residents, or else they would form small cliques and gossip and laugh at people. It was so sad to see them spend the last part of their life that way. To be honest I think there are a lot of women like that at SFF.


Robyn5 replies on 11/1/2009 7:07 am:
Hi bijou, I remember one man who was always playing his Irish Ballads!!! His family kept him up to date. The women were mostly a bit cranky, but I do remember the women who were gentle and quiet and were just very grateful for everything that was done for them. Of course the nurses had endless patience. It was a time in my life I wont forget.

boogie7103
643 posts 

10/31/2009 4:44 pm

 Well said Mrs. Joe.

egor789
813 posts 

10/31/2009 1:27 pm

 You have hit the nail on the head there Robyn,


Robyn5 replies on 10/31/2009 3:59 pm:
Hi egor, I think I may have!!!! Gratitude is something I hold on to dearly, it reminds me of just how lucky I am today and the fact that I do have so much to be grateful for. Coming from where I was before, I can say Im a miracle!!!!

MsEducator
2619 posts 

10/31/2009 1:24 pm

 Thanks for sharing that story, Robyn. My Dad was in a nursing home, also. He and the other residents were often visited by people who encouraged singing, dancing, playing games, and the like. There were on-sight activity workers, also. My Dad never got fully involved but he never rained on the parade of others, either. He simply watched. But yes, there were always those who made a fuss. lol I recall one time he turned to me and asked: "Baby, why them folks got to act like that?" I told him 'I don't know. Maybe they're hungry'. lol Blessings


Robyn5 replies on 10/31/2009 3:57 pm:
Hi MsEducator, I think we all have had experiences of our parents, grandparents in Nursing Homes/hospitals, and I have endless ones. As well as visiting my own Mother, we also got to know the other people around her. Some would respond and some couldnt. Your Dad was a wise man, and Im sure had plenty of stories to tell.

wonderious
734 posts 

10/31/2009 1:23 pm

 I remember at my wedding my grandfather wanted to sing. To my shock and horror and cringing I reluctently told him sure go ahead (no other choice really, he was my pop). Though he was fragile and not able to talk in much more than a whisper from his wheelchair he sang the most beautiful rendition of "A bycicle built for 2" his voice load and clear.

I will never forget his song it took me by suprise, I never knew he could sing like that. My pop never made it to the weddings of my brothers and sisters, sad because I know they would have felt the joy in his voice as I did.

Anyway, the mean spirited ones miss the beauty that comes in very breif moments of time.

Sing sing sing even if its only to yourself!


Robyn5 replies on 10/31/2009 2:53 pm:
I love that story about your grandfather wonderious. There is always a moment you remember. I know that old people, ....older than me, have had really interesting lives, and I know that young people here in Ireland are particularly interested in them. The old and young always connect, Grandparents and grandchildren, its something beautiful.

jimbob4293
5873 posts

10/31/2009 11:45 am

 Hi Robyn.
A message there for the majoriy, lets hope it is heeded now and the future.


Robyn5 replies on 10/31/2009 12:38 pm:
Hi jimbob, Lets hope! The more I hear about the ills of todays world, the more Im grateful for my own peace of mind.

Bo10
840 posts 

10/31/2009 11:05 am

 It's just not the older folks in nursing homes, that become bitter and jealous .


Robyn5 replies on 10/31/2009 12:37 pm:
Hi Bo, Im not sure what you mean! The place Im talking about was a Nursing Home for Seniors. Actually, it was also a Hospital for British Servicemen who had been fought in the war, injured, and retired there for the rest of their lives. They had all sorts of activities for them. Concerts, Bingo, a lovely garden with summer house, and a large conservatory. It wasnt bad at all.

Ola2006
13027 posts 

10/31/2009 8:50 am

 good message Robyn


Robyn5 replies on 10/31/2009 12:34 pm:
Hi Ola, Nice happy smile there! Its a good message, I have to say Im always grateful to be able to get through my day with a light heart.

mrsjoe1936
4490 posts 

10/31/2009 8:49 am

 A very excellent point. As a long time nurse, in long term care, I can tell you that old age often intensifies bad traits in people. People who were nasty in their younger years, are VERY nasty in their elder years, and folks who were pleasant often stay that way.
Occasionally, folks do have a complete turn around in their personality, but strangely, it is usually to the negative.
I sometimes wonder what part beginning senility plays in people's behavior? Even in SFF.
Keep singing, Robyn!
"One love - one life time" from the Phantom of the Opera


Robyn5 replies on 10/31/2009 12:32 pm:
I'll keep singing mrsjoe. I did notice while in the Nursing Home (my Mother went in several times for respite) that there were the nice gentle people who always had a nice smile and would like to hold my hand. These are the people Im drawn towards. I know people can get cranky, maybe I will too, !!!! God Forbid, but its extraordinary how the talents can surface again, even if once, in some people.

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