Here our Professor is sharing her dog with the residents. They have proven that bringing animals to let the patients pet is calming for them. The calmness also brings along a reduced heart rate which is good for the ones with high blood pressure. The patients also have interaction with something other than a human. Its not every day they get to see an animal. This patient seemed to be very aware of what was going on around her. 
I tried to get a really good picture of my professor but I wasn't quick enough. I wanted you to see how cute and small her dog is. Some patients might of been scared if it would of been a bigger dog. 
We meet this patient when we first arrived. He was sitting by himself and we were talking with Mary. My oldest daughter looked at him and realized he was crying, she walked over to him, gave him a valentine and touched his arm. My daughter told me was crying because he couldn't talk. From observing him, he looks as though talking is the only issue he has. He looked right at me, turns his head when you start talking with him. Lifted his arm by himself. Not sure why the wheelchair, but can you imagine being aware of all that is around you an not being able to express your feelings by speech? What is more amazing is that my 19 yr old was aware enough to notice him!
This is Sarah, she is 94 yrs old. She was at the second home next door to where we started. She is amazingly wonderful! We spent a lot of time with her. She said that she just starting swallowing again. She is very thin and seemed cold. We gave her the blue blanket to help keep her warm. She was so happy. The valentine we gave her was the best gift though. I think that the thought of giving away valentines is what made is so special. Sarah seemed extremely aware of what was going on. She loves asking questions about my family. She did have a hard time with my name, but who doesn't!haha When I asked if I could have a picture with her, she asked me, "Do I have my makeup on? My hairs a mess!" She was so cute. I told her she looked great. She really enjoyed Elizabeth, my 8yr old. Sarah's room was one that was nicely decorated by her family. She has pictures of her family every where. At the end of our visit Sarah said "I am ashamed sometimes because I get so mad. The older I get it seems all the small things bother me. The staff here are so nice to me and never get upset. I don't mean to get upset with them. They are so good to me. Don't get me wrong, I know I am blessed and that the Lord takes care of me. I am greatful for that." So it kind of sounded like Sarah has maybe a temper issue that might be hard for her to handle.
I thought this was important to share. A girl scout troop was at the home doing a craft with some of the patients. Goes to show you that not all the patients in a nursing home are totally disabled. As we saw first hand, there are a lot of them that can do things on their own. The sad part is that for most of these patients, no one comes and visits them and they are lonely. As we walked through the hallways and some of the patients were sleeping, deep down I was afraid to walk into their rooms. I was afraid I might startle and awake them and that they might start screaming. It seems that most of the female rooms were decorated and the male rooms were plain and not personalized at all. What I found so sweet was that in one room there was a husband and wife! Their oldest son was there for a visit today as well. There has to be some kind of comfort in knowing that both of your parents are together instead of having one take care of the other. How sad it is for the sibling knowing that both of their parents are changing very quickly.
One lady in a wheel chair in the hallway would not take our valentine. It was kind of funny. We tried to give it to her and she handed it right back, several times. On our way out we saw her again and she stuck out her hand. We gave her a valentine and this time she kept it. One man with a walker was going so fast, you couldn't get his attention long enough to say hi. In the TV room, one lady kept kissing her cards as if that was the only thing she has ever gotten.
I feel this visit has put back into our hearts the chance to serve other people. My son who is 10, was very affected by it. He actually started crying, realizing that one day, his mom, could be like this. My sons heart was sad for the people there and for them not being with their family. I had to explain to him why some families can't take care of their parents at home. I thinking it was a great experience to see the different stages of aging. Me and my family will be back.
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