How Can We All Remind Seniors of Their Importance to Our Community?

There is always a “to do” list that I take with me to the office each morning. More often than not, this list includes paperwork, reports, calls to return, responses to emails, letters, and on and on.

Yet, the seniors at Stevenson House are so much more important than paper and reports. I try to make sure that one of my top priorities is allowing time in my day to listen as seniors stop by my office to talk or find me throughout the property. While it makes getting my to-do list accomplished a bit more challenging, I find that many times the best way I can remind our seniors how important they are is to be available, listen to what is on their mind, take action where appropriate and let them know that I care.

I remember the small plane crash a year ago this past February that caused a daylong power outage. As I arrived at Stevenson House at about 8 a.m. that day, I remember the looks of fear and uncertainty in the eyes of the senior residents I met.  I also remember their look of relief as staff spoke to each senior, took charge, provided battery-powered lanterns and connected the TV to a generator so everyone could watch the news.

Somehow, miraculously, in the next few days, the paperwork was done, calls returned and reports filed on time. But, most importantly, our senior residents felt that someone cared about them.

I am hoping that through this blog all of us might share ways in which we've grasped the opportunity to respond to the older adults in our lives in a way that clearly demonstrates their value and the respect in which we hold them.

With age comes loss—of role, of health, of mobility, of someone willing to listen.  Let's explore ways that we can—and do—reduce the pain of these losses, and touch on methods to emphasize the strengths and resources that the seniors in our lives still possess.  

Perhaps, we might even be able to show how we are speaking not about “them,” but rather about “us,”

What do you think?