ACTIONS

ACTION #1:

Visiting people in Convalescent homes or hospitals.

Often too many groups go around at Christmas time and sing carols, which must drive the non-Christian patients nuts.  Think about doing a convalescent home visit at another time of year.  Most places have an activity director who would love to have a group of kids singing songs, helping with wheeling people to activities, helping them play bingo, sitting and reading to them, writing letters for them, helping them eat, or interacting in other activities.

Visiting a Convalescent Hospital takes further preparation.  Here are some points for discussion before you go:

·       It is important before you go to remind kids that the people in convalescent homes are actually a small percentage of elderly people.  The people you will be working with are the elderly who have physical problems.  Most elderly people still live independent healthy lives. Stressing this difference helps break up the stereotype that being old automatically means being sick or unable to care for oneself. 

·       Talk ahead of time with the kids about the smells of a convalescent hospital. 

·       Talk about what to do if someone grabs and holds on to you thinking you are a relative, or asks you to get them out of there. 

·       Talk about how easily the skin of people in convalescent homes bruises, and that gentle touch is important.

·       Talk about how unsteady or unstable people in convalescent hospitals are on their feet, and how important it is for the kids to move slowly and carefully.

·       Talk about how to start conversations. “Where did you grow up?”  “What was your favorite thing to do when you were my age?”  “What kind of music do you like?” etc.

·       Talk about the power of simply sitting and holding someone’s hand, even if they seem unaware of your presence.     

ACTION #2:

Visiting church shut-ins

Since these folks are from your church, going around at Christmas and singing carols is a great idea!  Visit them at other times of the year as well.  If a special event is happening at your church, visiting around this time with pictures and stories from the event helps them to feel included and not forgotten by their church family.  Remember that many of the points outlined for visits to convalescent homes or hospitals apply to this activity as well. 

ACTION #3:

Making year-round special occasions or ordinary day gifts or cards for people in convalescent hospitals or who are shut-ins

ACTION #4:

Coordinating the gift of doing house or yard work for elders in the church or community

ACTION #5:

Participating with community groups such as Habitat for Humanity or Christmas in April who target elders’ needs

ACTION #6:

Researching current local events and news items leading to activities such as writing letters to various levels of government, or participating in a rally or public meeting around justice issues facing the elderly - e.g. social security benefits or good senior housing.

Deepening Faith:  Youth Ministry Resources and Some Miscellaneous Advice

Rev. Lizann Bassham, Front Porch Spirit Press

Copyright © 2001