"I no longer drive..."

This morning I visited a homebound woman, she is in her 80s. It was a very rewarding experience. She said, "I no longer drive, too often I am sick." I listened to her attentively and responded, "this must be very difficult for you." She continued to share by saying, "Yes because I used to drive, now I depend on other(s)." She also mentioned the word, "loneliness" this came out when she was saying that to be alone can be lonely." She concluded, "I no longer can be with my friends." "I miss them." This is only the "snapshot" of my converstaion with her.

God bless this woman, may the good Lord gives her peace and joy.

...summer peaceful drumming at MMH

The peaceful drumming will start again at the end of July at the MMH. Many of the residents have been asking me when will they be drumming again. I answered "very soon" the sound of the scared drums will be heard again at the MMH.

Joe, May you rest in Peace

I have known Joe for almost ten years. I used to visit him and his wife Angie at their home in Buffalo.

Joe, you are a great person. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shines upon him, may he rests in Peace. Joe is 93 year old, what a blessing to have reached this age.

DILIBERTO - Joseph July 11, 2009, beloved husband of Angeline (nee Falsone); dear father of Joseph J. (Anna) and Diane Buscaglia; loving grandfather of Joseph R. (Janet), Michael T. (Elizabeth) Diliberto, Kristen (Paul) Macaluso, Charles Buscaglia and Deanna (Mark) Messinger and eight great-grandchildren; brother of the late James, Charles and Angie; also survived by nieces and nephews. Visitation Monday and Tuesday 4-8 PM at the PACER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 2275 George Urban Blvd. (two blocks east of Dick Rd.). Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, 6919 Transit Rd., Swormville, Wednesday at 10 AM. Joe was a member of Sheet Metal Worker's Union Local 71 and Conservation Corp. In lieu of flowers, donations to Brothers of Mercy Nursing & Rehab Center. Online condolences at www.PACERFUNERALHOME.com

...arrived safely from Paris!

I was in Paris from July 4-10 attending and presenting at the 19th IAGG - World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics.
I will be sharing more about this event soon.

Peace

...be gentle and listen to each elderly...

"I want to go home, I want to go home." An elderly woman was saying and she wanted to be heard. She is 92 year old and infact she has been residing in this place for many years.
She wheeled herself slowly while saying, "I want to go now, I want to go home."

I approached her and gently said, "I believe you really miss your home, your garden and beautiful flowers." She immediately replied, "Yes, I planted many flowers." I continued tell me the different flowers you had planted." She smiled and continued to tell me.

This incident is a lesson for anyone who is caring the elderly individual. A caregiver needs to know of how to respond this type of situation.

..an inspiration to me...

A 90 year old woman shared this sentence with me this morning. "What can an old lady like me do?" I looked, gave her a smile and said, "you are an inspiration to me each day, as I walked into this building." She can be 90 year old but this woman is still very insightful with her thoughts! I learned a lot from her especially her lived experiences.

...a joy to hear...

Today it is a joy for me to hear when an elderly person said, "I am thankful, I have another to live my life."

How many of us appreciate our lived experiences each day?