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I recently made a few visits an animal shelter, and was happy to see that they have volunteers who regularly come in to be sure that each animal gets 20 minutes of one-on-one time. They spend this time petting, talking to the pet, and holding them. This time is logged, before moving on to the next animal.


I wonder why they don't have equal time, enough volunteers, in the nursing homes and assisted living facilities to spend one-on-one time with the lonely, confused, and sometimes frightened elderly and sick. They need comfort and love, too. Simple things, like reading to them, taking them for a walk, and holding their hands go a long way.

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Actually, there are organizations who visit the elderly—sometimes with companion and comfort animals. I read recently that someone actually brought a horse into a nursing home! Church groups also have volunteers who visit. I was part of a school staff once that had a teacher who organized groups of children to visit. And, I’ve read about preschools who visit on Grandparents Day.

If this truly concerns you and you are a member of a church or other group, why not organize something yourself? A weekly craft, a sing-a-long if someone you know plays an instrument. Who was the famous person who said, “Be the change”?
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The nursing homes could advertise for volunteers to do this, but every person that regularly interacts with their patients, must have a background check, perhaps health checks and have received certain vaccinations. This costs money. Most nursing homes are dependent on insurance or private pay. Many people living in nursing homes are on medicaid, which pays even less.

If you have a family member or friend in a nursing home, I encourage you to visit them. Also, some community groups, church groups, volunteer some time, or may provide some services. Check with your church or check through your public health department if they have information about volunteer opportunities.
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jacobsonbob Aug 2018
One thing that's relatively easy to do is visit additional people in the nursing home beside your parent, spouse, etc. Most days I visit my mother I spend some time chatting with other residents. Some are very old and any interaction is appreciated; some are younger and fine mentally, and are thus able to carry on meaningful conversations just as most people outside the establishment would. There are also family members of other residents who enjoy conversation, and the staff members themselves enjoy being told they are appreciated. None of these interactions requires a formal "program" of any kind. (Of course after 5 years of visiting I guess they all realize I'm not there to take advantage of anyone!)
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Playing the Devils Advocate here.

Far fewer animal shelters than nursing homes.

Animals give unconditional love, even the abused, it can be incredible to watch them develop trust.

Volunteering in a care facility forces people to face their own mortality.

Animals are not going to criticize friendly visitors.

Animals are not going to make racist or misogynistic comments.

People are busier than ever and there is a limit to how much volunteering any one person can do. Perhaps the answer is in getting more people volunteering in general. I know so many who have not volunteered any time to their community. And I know some who are at every event, that needs a volunteer.

There are many organizations that facilitate friendly visitors and some people do it on their own. Some corporations give their staff time off to volunteer at community events, perhaps they also give time for other volunteering efforts?

My eldest son was a volunteer dog walker at the local SPCA and my daughter was a youth volunteer (Candy Striper) at both our local hospital and a nursing home. Me, I spent over 50 hours volunteering last month.
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Human interactions are so much more complicated than those in animal shelters. Nursing home elderly populations are extremely vulnerable. Theft, con jobs, and even physical abuse are not beyond imagining if there were volunteers coming every day to spend time with elders in their own apartments. That being said, I do think there is room for more people volunteering in organized activities at nursing homes and AL’s. For instance if the home has live music days, bring in local high school kids, or younger kids with their parents, to enjoy the music with the elders. (Nothing lights up my dad’s face like meeting little kids when we are out at the doctor and such.) One thing isolated elders need more of in their lives is the company of young people; and young people always need volunteer opportunities to put on their college applications. (One of our local nursing homes actually has a daycare in the same building, and the kids interact with the elders on most days. That seems ideal to me.)
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jacobsonbob Aug 2018
Excellent comments and suggestions!
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Lets talk! mothernature7@gmail.com
This is a great and humane idea. I believe here in the Los Angeles areas proponents of ethical care are working on this opportunity as the aging population continues to grow and working, 2 income families are increasing.
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I think the other answers have nailed it - anybody can volunteer to pet fluffy or walk fido but spending time in a facility takes someone with at least a modicum of people skills and education about dementia and physical frailty. In order for facilities to have a good volunteer program there needs to be a structure in place to train and mentor their volunteers and direct them in activities that are actually meaningful and appreciated, in my experience it is the lack of leadership that is a real roadblock.
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good answers below...but my initial reaction was not only that you were right on target, but that the goal needs to be to create shelters connected to nursing homes so that both the older adults can benefit as much from caring for the little ones as the little ones benefit from the companionship...of course bonds will form and the elders may not want to endure the losses...but maybe the adopters would have to agree to bring them back for visits:-)
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jacobsonbob Aug 2018
gdaughter--I believe the question asked by Kittysharone has more to do with having people visit residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities than with having the residents of those facilities working with animals. I may be wrong, but I believe she is suggesting a parallel situation in that the kind of attention given to animals could also be given to these residents.
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that would be a nice outting to suggest to a nursing home near you
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Ask the facility social worker, administrator or social services coordinator.
There are many organizations coordinating volunteers to visit the elderly, although the number depend on where you/one lives. People who want to volunteer at both animal shelters or nursing homes (hopefully) need to go through 'the application' or paperwork process. However, if one wants to volunteer with elders, it is relatively easy to do. If you want to help out, you could talk to whoever would be in charge of volunteers/screening and create-post a flyer, email your friends and networks, announce-post at churches, community centers, etc., to encourage volunteers. There are also inter-generational programs where high school students volunteer. If there are no programs in place for young people to visit elders, contact high schools and colleges - they all likely have volunteer programs. Some may even offer internship programs in colleges. Gena
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I used to be Director of Resident Activities in several LTC facilities. Volunteers are great! However, some don't last long(maybe fulfilling a requirement for school or other organization) Very young children often fearful of people with medical devices(walkers, canes, wheelchairs) Church groups were always most reliable and consistent with visits. Yes there are some restrictions as to who can visit residents in nursing homes, but even animal shelters are strict about references for volunteers. Elders and defenseless pets are vulnerable entities. Also had some really wonderful dog trainers who brought their advanced students to visit elders and show off their obedience skills! As was stated prior, some people can visit needy, lonely animals, but cannot relate to elderly.
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In a perfect world. The volunteers would need to be trained in Dementia/ALZ. It takes very special people to do this kind of thing. Years ago my Church had a group of people who visited shut ins. You were asked to send cards for B/D, Xmas, Easter or just to say hi. You could mail a small pkg or visit. It was just to make people feel they weren't alone.
We really need to get our Boy and Girl Scouts of hischool age. 4H or Youth Church organizations. Teach them what Dementia is and how to deal with it. The elderly love young people. It would teach our children empathy.
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I don't think it should be up to charitable organizations or the general public to have to educate themselves on how to be a useful volunteer, I think the facilities themselves should take the time to identify specific needs and, if not train the volunteers themselves at least, point them to where they can get the training.

Mom's AL/NH has volunteer visitors (although I've only ever seen one woman) and while it is lovely that she donates her time she is invariably visiting with the more active seniors who least need that kind of interaction. We've had little kids and their sitters come in this summer to join the NH music and singalong hour but they don't know the songs and don't interact with the residents, I'm not sure what either side gets out of it. It's easy to take your pet over to the woman practically jumping out of her chair with excitement, not so obvious to have poochie quietly interact with the motionless person who rarely opens their eyes. And in my observation other than something like an appreciation BBQ to many volunteers never get any feedback from the facility on whether their programs are successful or appreciated or what they could do to improve them if they are not.
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We have Hospice and our local Senior Group which does that exact thing. Even our Meal on Wheels (not federally funded in our area) does this. Check your local groups to see if that is already in place.
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because the nasty dogs are usually put down or not allowed untrained visitors
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Not all people are trained medical professionals.
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About me: I go visit my mother, with AD, at least twice a week, after being her care giver for over 2 years. I cared for her every day, until she became violent, and I could no longer physically do it. I also go see my dad, at least, once a week. My Dad and brother faithfully go see Mom daily, sometimes more than once a day.

At this point in my life, I don't feel that I can organize volunteers, because I am assisting my 30 something year old daughter, who has many health issues, and watching my 3 year old grandson, while my husband or son-in-law take her to her many doctor appointments.

I am praying about whether or not I can fit in a new ministry in my church, that is designed to be with dying people, who have no one to be with them in the end other than trained medical people. It would be a way I can practice what I preach, but still have time for my family.

Mother cannot walk nor talk coherently, and rarely responds, except for an occasional smile or the common squeezing of her hand, yet we still go and talk to her, read to her, and show her pictures and cards, as well as help feed her.

Getting back to my original point: entertainment is wonderful, from those individuals and groups who donate their time and talents. It is greatly appreciated and necessary for the well-being of our loved ones. Organized activities are also important, including pet therapy.

However, you don't have to be a trained professional to sit with someone who is lonely and feels helpless or afraid. We do to it for our animals, which at least have a hope of someday leaving their cages. We do it even when it is sad and painful to see them in their current situation, but many of us don't do it for the ones who have given us their heritage, service, and lives. Not all animals appreciate the soft, warm hand, but they still get their 15-20 minutes.

I often get hugs from residents hungry for affection, and carry on conversations that sound like they are from Alice in Wonderland. I try to spend time with, at least, one or 2 others, while visiting my own mother, but some of these people have no one to visit or hold their hands. The aides are wonderful, and do what they can, but often they have only enough time to tend to their needs.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that in a perfect world, our sick elders would get the one-on-one time we rightly give our vulnerable animals, equal time.
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Kitty: As others have stated here, it takes a special and trained person to assist an individual with a disease. Patients with Alzheimer's have broken minds and are prone to possible outbursts depending on where they are with the disease.
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Kittysharone Aug 2018
Assist, yes, but not to sit and visit. Not just anyone has the temperament for spending time with animals, but they do find volunteers.
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