Bold Caring for Seniors Scholarship

One thing I do to improve the lives of the elderly in my community is my participation in an outreach program with my family every major holiday. Over the years I've participated, I have helped to donate over $500 in equipment and other supplies to help out the residents. Leading up to the season I pack hygiene items and necessary items and delivered them on the holidays. Elderly people often don't get visited so I try to make regular visits and interact with residents. While at the visits, I make an effort to actively listen and remember things about residents to ask them when I return. Recently, a new transfer resident asked if he could speak with a volunteer. He was an older gentleman in his eighties who was bed-ridden. He was very sick yet still had a story to tell. I recall sitting in a chair next to him for a few hours as he talked about everything from his childhood to the war to the beautiful children he and his wife had together. That day, I was originally reluctant to have a conversation with him but I really did learn a lot. At the end of the conversation, he thanked me and started to cry. This was the first time in a while that he truly felt valued. Through this project, I have created opportunities for students to collaborate with elderly people of all abilities during the holiday season to create a positive environment. Through my involvement and passion for helping the elderly, an annual visit has been implemented to deliver and purchase gift bags and decorate for the holiday season. Oftentimes, elderly people don't receive a lot of attention so one thing I do to improve their lives makes an effort to see them and value them.

One thing I do to improve the lives of the elderly people in my community, is by working as a caregiver. As a caregiver, I help with the daily tasks the elderly population may have a difficult time completing on their own. I help make simple meals, tidy up their homes, and keep them company whenever they need. Recently, I spent the day with an elderly woman, and all we did was talk about her family and watch "Let's Make A Deal" together. It felt great to keep her company and learn more about her life. Besides working as a part-time caregiver, I also help take care of my grandmother. She has Dementia, and like I spend time with and take care of my clients, I do the same with her. She may not have the ability to remember my name at times, but that doesn't stop us from laughing at old movies and going on drives around the neighborhood together. I'll always cherish this time with my grandmother, and I know how much it means to her that she has someone to talk to, laugh, and spend time with.