Over the course of studying
here in Ireland our instructor asked us to complete an ambassadorial service
project in the community of Spiddal. The goal with this ambassadorial service
project is to provide service to the community that surrounds us. However doing
this is not to “give back” (or volunteering to say) to that community exactly,
but the ultimate intent is to build bridges with the surrounding community for
the future study abroad programs here in Ireland. A group of students, and I
had chosen to do our ambassadorial service project at Áras Chois Fharraige, in
which is an nursing home and what we do is we go once or twice a week
(depending how much we can go) and make connections with the residents in the
nursing home.
Áras Chois Fharraige: Nursing Home
What Áras Chois Fharraige provides to residents is 40
members of their “Caring Team” provides the highest standards of
resident-centered care, in an environment where the needs and dignity of
residents is cherished. I think that is wonderful that they make sure they have
high standards for their facility, because that would make people feel better
that their loved ones will have the best care, and feel loved/cared for. When
we have gone to the nursing home I can always tell each of the staff members
cares for the residents very much. The way I can tell that they always strike a
conversation with every resident they see, and say hi to each person they see
if they are walking down a hallway for instance. Especially the head nurse I
always see when we visit, her name is Katie Folan she is the sweetest person I
have met, and it is always so precious to see her interact with the residents
because I can definitely tell that she loves her job, and the residents.
I will share some experiences of mine from when we had
went to the home the last couple of times. If you read in one of my blogs (my 4th
blog: ‘making connections’) I had described my first experience going to the
nursing home, which that was such a fun time for the first time being there. But
another time when we went what they did on that particular day was they asked
every resident if they wanted to go to a big room upstairs, and do some chair
exercises to get them up and moving. A lot of residents turned out, and we
watched as Katie got residents doing easy exercises, such as lifting their leg
up and down or have them circling their arms around (amongst other exercises
she had demonstrated for the residents to follow along). The residents seemed
to enjoy that, then Katie moved on to have us help her with having all three of
us throwing around a ball around to each resident to make sure they all feel
included (started out with a small beach ball then got up to a big exercise
ball). The residents, especially enjoyed that exercise the most because
everyone felt involved and not left out, by the end we all were laughing and
having fun (because some of the residents knew how to throw and they threw fast/hard
which was unexpected. Patty, and Nora had a very good throw and each time I
threw to them I dropped the ball a few times because they threw so well) but in
the end we were all very amused with each other’s company, and it is so nice
when we leave all the residents say goodbye to us and thank us for coming which
is so amazing! Another time we came in Katie had a woman come in and she would
sing to the residents, as well as have them singing too if they knew the song
that she was playing. At that time we sang with the residents or at least tried
to interact with them before the singing commenced. That day was a lot of fun
as well. Having gone to Áras Chois Fharraige it has been really great to
interact with the residents, and try to bring brightness and laughter into
their day. I have also met some nice residents since we have been going (like
Patty for example he is a nice gentleman). I am very glad I had the opportunity
to be around such awesome residents for such a short period of time we have
been here, I will definitely remember them and whenever I will think of Ireland
I will think of those residents, as well as Katie. Getting to know the
residents, and Katie has been especially great, my time here would have been
different if not going to Áras Chois Fharraige I will truly miss them all.
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