One thing I've learned from volunteering at Good Samaritan Society is...old people LOVE their Bingo!
I've been helping out with a few activities, but the one I like the most is Candy Bingo. The residents REALLY get into it! They play regular Bingo too, but with my schedule I was only able to help with Candy Bingo, where instead of winning money (just quarters and dimes), they win CANDY.
I help the residents that either can't hear, see or nor longer have the motor skills to put the chips on their bingo cards. This week the residents were feisty and there was only two volunteers, which made for a livley night! Actually it was kinda fun. I was helping four residents, Denise, Ann, Roy and Eileen*. Eileen is 100 years old and has trouble seeing the numbers. Roy has trouble hearing, Ann has difficulties with her motor skills. Denise has mental disabilities and doesn't know the numbers. Since I was helping all four, everyone was sitting near each other. Ann doesn't really like "annoying" noises and people repeating things and Denise repeats things over and over. Ann got frustrated and told Denise if she decided to go to bed early it would be ok. I tried not to laugh. Luckily, I don't think Denise understood her. Then Eileen, because she was has a hard time seeing, wasn't getting her chips right in the center of the Bingo squares. Roy was sitting right across from her and just couldn't stand that the bingo chips weren't in the middle. He kept reaching over and moving her chips, which rightfully, ticked Eileen off. We thought there might be a brawl :) Again, it was hard not to laugh. I'm sure if you close your eyes you can picture how my night was. But I liked it and will continue to go now that my school requirement to go is over.
*the names have been changed to protect privacy
5 comments:
That sounds busy, and fun. Maybe the Thomas family should start candy bingo.
I can just picture such a scene, and it cracks me up. What a fun way to serve.
Deb
I remember when you first went to help out, you really didn't want to go, now you won't want to stop going. I know the people appreciate you, it means so much to them. Hearing your stories make me miss grandma and grandpa though.
That does sound unexpectedly delightful. :)
Like I always said when working at various nursing homes, I hated it when I was there (bcuz I felt that I couldn't do enough), but LOVED it when I was home (bcuz I grew to love the residents and many of their 'funny' personalities).
Totally reminds me of my Grandma. Sounds funny! Thanks for helping out(in remembrance of my grams). Those homes need willing, caring volunteers.
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