I didn’t know what to expect when I volunteered at the Health Center at Franklin Park (a nursing home) with the UCDenver Experiential Learning Center staff. It seemed as if only seconds passed before I found myself kneeling in front of an elderly man sitting silently in a wheelchair. Though he was nonverbal, I could see his mind was active. He was sporting a Bronco’s hat and deliberating which plant would best adorn his windowsill. He didn’t seem to notice that the plants had begun to wither; they were tinged with neglect and lacked the attention needed to bloom. However, a bit of sunlight and water would encourage these plants to blossom. Like these plants, just a little attention and care would encourage the people in this nursing home to flourish.
When I looked around the room littered with wheelchairs, walkers and canes, I saw people who refused to be defined by the metal that confined them. Each individual took his or her own path to assisted living—but that was not the end of their lives. Each remained full of life, rich with personality and brimming with valuable history to share. The lady in the corner was wearing a Captain Morgan sweatshirt. The man next to her couldn’t speak, but a smile clung to his face as his fingers signed with dancing determination. The stark contrast between the long haired man decorated with tattoos—and the clean-shaven, neatly dressed man next to him emphasized the diversity and culture of acceptance within this facility. A World War II vet sat next to a lover of hymns. It was wonderful to see all these people from different walks of life brought together in the winter of their lives. They had an endless vault of stories to offer the world—if the world would only listen.
Many residents in assisted living receive few to no visits from loved ones each year. Their lives are strictly regimented, whether it’s waiting for the next meal or the next round of Bingo. Some might believe this is the destiny we all must face as we age. It doesn’t have to be. Especially when compassionate organizations like Bessie’s Hope exist to bring generations together.
The mission of Bessie’s Hope is to enhance the quality of life for nursing home/assisted living elders. Bessie’s Hope achieves its purpose by bringing together generations in mutually rewarding relationships, by honoring the human spirit and by providing life-enriching volunteer opportunities for youths, families, individuals, community organizations and businesses.
To brighten their day, Bessie’s Hope facilitates visits between people in the community and nursing home residents. The surprise happens when volunteers realize that, they too, feel the day brighten and their hearts swell.
After a brief introduction between the volunteers and residents, we engaged in activities, sang songs, talked, hugged, and cheered each other up. One particular lady, solemn and quiet, pointed a crooked finger at my facial hair and asked, “why do you have all that stuff all over your face?” She proceeded to ask if I was married (she, herself, was not). Her frankness was refreshing.
I was grateful to Bessie’s Hope for providing us with such an excellent opportunity to connect with the community, learn about ourselves and others, and make a difference to a small corner of the world. Bessie’s Hope brings out the gems in each human’s life. These gems are not to be forgotten, but to be shared for generations to come. Though all the residents differed in one way or another, all held one thing in common; they wanted someone to listen. Thanks to Bessie’s Hope, we were enabled to listen.
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