Assessment Jouranl - Entry #7

Amita Bose
1/29/2009

Assessment Journal – Seventh Entry
Today as I walked quietly through the halls of Academy Point, I passed several residents and then proceeded to exchange pleasantries with them. After the “hellos”, I would ask them how they were doing and almost all of them replied, “okay”. After I had heard this reply three times in a row from different residents, I began to wonder why they were only “okay” and not “good” or “great”. I realized that the residents as Academy Point might miss their families, whom they didn’t see every day anymore. Perhaps they missed the sound of their grandchildren’s laughter. Also, it could be the trials and tribulations of old age that made them only “okay”. One of the residents I talked to was hobbling down the hallway with a walker, and she seemed determined to make it to the other end without stopping. It was clear that she had a problem with her legs, and she might have been in pain. Perhaps it was the pains and problems that made the residents only “okay”. Whatever the reason is for the residents being “okay”, I am committed to helping them, or doing something for them, which will make them reply “great” when asked how they are. This is my goal: to make the residents and Academy Point have an extraordinary day.

Assessment Journal - Entry #6

Amita Bose
1/22/2009

Assessment Journal – Sixth Entry
Brothers laugh together, play together, and tease one another mercilessly. The two men I met today acted just like brothers as they were playing the Nintendo Wii. These two men, J.P. and Bernie, taunted each other as they demonstrated their Nintendo Wii Bowling skills. Bernie would make a sarcastic remark about J.P.’s “stellar” skills whenever he got a gutter ball. In return, J.P laughed heartily every time Bernie hit only one or two pins with the ball. It was intriguing and amusing to watch these two elderly men go back and forth, mocking each other, as if they were young boys again. Also, whenever something comical would happen on the game screen, or with another player, these two men would laugh their deep, jovial laughs. They would glance at each other, curve the corners of their mouths into the smallest of smiles, and burst out laughing at the same second. They would laugh and laugh until they were gasping for breath, their faces light up with delight. J.P. and Bernie are two people who share a unique, brotherly bond.

Assessment Journal - Entry #5

Assessment Journal – Fifth Entry
Picture this: an elderly woman sitting in a comfortable red chair with a Nintendo Wii remote in her hand. She is leaning forward, and her face is light by laughter and happiness. This is Edith. Edith is one of the most enthusiastic people I have ever met. As we were playing Wii bowling, she let out little yelps of encouragement and congratulations. She seemed so wrapped up in the excitement of the game and was eager to spread her enthusiasm. Also, when I first met Edith, I was immediately impressed by her selflessness. She came into the room after the later dinner, and when I offered her my seat, she quickly and persistently declined. She was determined to find her own seat and refused to put me out. Everyone could learn a lot from the way Edith chooses to live her life: to its fullest.

Assessment Journal - Entry #4

Amita Bose
1/17/2009

Assessment Journal – Fourth Entry
Today was a joyous day, filled with excitement, at Academy Point. Today was the day of the hoedown, and there was an aura of anticipation in the air. Everyone was looking forward to an afternoon filled with laughter, singing, and dancing. The residents began to arrive at the room where the hoedown was to take place before everything was set up, because they were so eager to commence their afternoon of enjoyment. At the hoedown I danced with a few of the residents, and it warmed my heart to see how much they were enjoying themselves. One woman I danced with couldn’t seem to keep the smile off of her face. We twirled and side-stepped our way around the dance floor, both of us breathless with laughter and full of joy. I had never seen this particular woman so full of life, and it was wonderful to realize that I may have added to her sense of delight by dancing with her. Today was a day that will always remain in my memories, as one of perpetual happiness and revived liveliness.

Facts about Elderly People in Nursing Homes

1)There are more than three times as many nursing homes as hospitals.
(http://www.carewatchers.org/nursinghomefactsheet.html)

2)Three out of four nursing home residents are women.
(http://www.nursinghomeabuseresourcecenter.com/facts/)

Assessment Journal - Entry #3

Amita Bose
1/10/2009

Assessment Journal – Third Entry
Today I met a very interesting woman while I was visiting residents at Academy Point. This woman owned two birds and had a passion for animals. She doted upon her parakeets and lovingly stroked and fed them. I was touched by the care and time she put into her pets. Also, when I was talking with her, I asked her if she had ever owned other pets besides her two birds, and her eyes immediately light up. She eagerly described the previous pets she had owned and told me a little story about every one. This woman’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and reflected the happy memories she was remembering when she spoke of her old pets. She seemed so excited to be sharing her experiences with someone else, and I was more than happy to listen

Assessment Joutnal - Entry #2

Amita Bose
1/3/2008

Assessment Journal – Second Entry

Today I met many new and extraordinary people when I visited Academy Point. The first person I met was an elderly woman who was sitting in the craft room when I arrived. I entered the room shyly, trying not to interrupt her craft time and sat in a chair in the corner of the room as I waited. When the arts and crafts director had to leave the room to get a bandage for another woman, the woman sitting at the table turned around and beckoned to me. I crossed the room and sat down, and began to talk to the woman. Her voice was weak and cracked, but she seemed eager and pleased to talk to me, and her kind questions melted my previous shyness. Also, during an exercise activity, I had the pleasure of meeting another unique woman. She was so energetic and talkative, despite the tubes that snaked their way from her handbag to her nose. She asked me endless questions and shared details of her life, as if she wanted to learn and share everything that the both of us had experienced in our lives. These are two people that have found a place in my memory because of their kind words and eager eyes.

Facts about Elderly People in Nursing Homes

1) There are about 1.6 elderly people in nursing homes currently. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/nursingh.htm)


2) The average nursing home reports 100 to 200 falls a year.
( http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/nursing.htm)

Assessment Journal- Entry #1

Amita Bose
12/20/2008

Assessment Journal – First Entry
Despite the heavy snow fall on Saturday, I still journeyed to my first volunteering session at Academy Point, and I am so glad that I did. At first I felt nervous and out of place in the small, comfortable kitchen at Academy Point, but after awhile all of my anxieties melted away. Everyone in the kitchen was amiable and their conversations swelled out to include me. I felt comforted as I joined in on their conversations, and the irresistible scent of baking cookies added to the friendly, home-like atmosphere. Also, I was surprised by how alive and exuberant everyone I met was. I am not quite sure what sorts of people I was expecting to discover at Academy Point, but I can honestly say that never thought that they would be so lively and energetic. As I sat and watched two elderly women talking to each other about the happenings of the day, I could easily imagine my friends and me in their positions. Everything about these two women exuded youthful energy and happiness that I originally thought was found only among the younger generations. My first visit to Academy Point was filled with new discoveries, quite happiness, and tranquility.