Running head: GSC VOLUNTEER FINAL 1
GSC Volunteer Final
Teiona Schaaf
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Running head: GSC VOLUNTEER FINAL 2
I was extremely apprehensive about giving time to an assisted living facility because of the stigma that surrounds the elderly. I felt that I was not cut out for work that involved the elderly.
It has been almost a year of me volunteering with this demographic and I absolutely love it! I’ve learned that I do indeed have patience, contrary to what I believed of myself. I also gained confirmation in my decision to become a social worker. This volunteer opportunity feeds my desire to help others in need.
One thing I learned about our community is that we all come together when we need each other. There were …show more content…
Elderly care is a growing issue that should be addressed aggressively (Keene,
McCain, & Regan 2012). Although my view of the community has not changed, I do understand it a little better.
I encountered a singular disappointing moment while volunteering at Prestige. While assisting a 93-year-old Scandinavian female, we conversed about life. She showered me with compliments of how handsome my Italian husband was. I thanked her and she went on to say how “lucky” I was because “most blacks didn’t deserve to have whites as spouses” (Chen, 2013).
She said this while looking deep into my eyes and with a radiant smile on her face. I was totally taken by surprise when she said this to me. Luckily, my professional military instincts took over which allowed my face to go expressionless as I said to her: “love has never been restricted by rules….the heart wants what it wants regardless of silly opinions”. I smiled and excused myself.
I took from that situation no matter how nice you are or who you are, people will still have their opinions of you…whether right or wrong.
This volunteer opportunity was fantastic for me because I am the type of person that does not require loads of supervision. I worked alone on Saturdays and most Wednesdays as well. …show more content…
I would like to see the new director fully develop the volunteer program and not let it take the direction of filer work. I plan on volunteering long term with
Prestige in hopes of having a chance to help implement change.
Running head: GSC VOLUNTEER FINAL 4
Basically, I sit in for the activities director on Saturdays and serve as an assistant on other days I am able to volunteer. The residents have scheduled BINGO daily at 1pm, which I am there to call the numbers and issue prizes. We have an array of activities planned through out the day such as poker, corn hole, painting, exercise, puzzles and various board games. I particularly enjoy excursions to Trader Joes. I am needed to help load/unload the residents safely and assist them with their shopping. I’ve also done cooking demonstrations and initiated memoryactivating activities. With the end of this semester approaching, I look forward to spending more time with the residents just as I did last summer.
*#10. I’ve mentioned three times that I did not know this facility fully supports the Alzheimer’s foundation. They fund raise and donate goods in support of the efforts to find a cure.*
Running head: GSC VOLUNTEER FINAL
GSC Volunteer Final
Teiona Schaaf
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Running head: GSC VOLUNTEER FINAL 2
I was extremely apprehensive about giving time to an assisted living facility because of the stigma that surrounds the elderly. I felt that I was not cut out for work that involved the elderly.
It has been almost a year of me volunteering with this demographic and I absolutely love it! I’ve learned that I do indeed have patience, contrary to what I believed of myself. I also gained confirmation in my decision to become a social worker. This volunteer opportunity feeds my desire to help others in need.
One thing I learned about our community is that we all come together when we need each other. There were …show more content…
Elderly care is a growing issue that should be addressed aggressively (Keene,
McCain, & Regan 2012). Although my view of the community has not changed, I do understand it a little better.
I encountered a singular disappointing moment while volunteering at Prestige. While assisting a 93-year-old Scandinavian female, we conversed about life. She showered me with compliments of how handsome my Italian husband was. I thanked her and she went on to say how “lucky” I was because “most blacks didn’t deserve to have whites as spouses” (Chen, 2013).
She said this while looking deep into my eyes and with a radiant smile on her face. I was totally taken by surprise when she said this to me. Luckily, my professional military instincts took over which allowed my face to go expressionless as I said to her: “love has never been restricted by rules….the heart wants what it wants regardless of silly opinions”. I smiled and excused myself.
I took from that situation no matter how nice you are or who you are, people will still have their opinions of you…whether right or wrong.
This volunteer opportunity was fantastic for me because I am the type of person that does not require loads of supervision. I worked alone on Saturdays and most Wednesdays as well. …show more content…
I would like to see the new director fully develop the volunteer program and not let it take the direction of filer work. I plan on volunteering long term with
Prestige in hopes of having a chance to help implement change.
Running head: GSC VOLUNTEER FINAL 4
Basically, I sit in for the activities director on Saturdays and serve as an assistant on other days I am able to volunteer. The residents have scheduled BINGO daily at 1pm, which I am there to call the numbers and issue prizes. We have an array of activities planned through out the day such as poker, corn hole, painting, exercise, puzzles and various board games. I particularly enjoy excursions to Trader Joes. I am needed to help load/unload the residents safely and assist them with their shopping. I’ve also done cooking demonstrations and initiated memoryactivating activities. With the end of this semester approaching, I look forward to spending more time with the residents just as I did last summer.
*#10. I’ve mentioned three times that I did not know this facility fully supports the Alzheimer’s foundation. They fund raise and donate goods in support of the efforts to find a cure.*
Running head: GSC VOLUNTEER FINAL