Last year, after the EOY examinations, the school organised a CIP activity in which it involved bringing senior citizens that suffered from dementia to the labrador park. Initially, both me and my team mates were very hesitant to initiate a talk with the senior citizen that we were supposed to bring along with. I guess this was probably due to the age gap between us and the senior citizens that caused the situation to be so awkward. Hence, we followed the senior citizen and her daughters awkwardly around the park.
However, soon, I felt that I should not waste my time any further and hence, I decided to initiate the communication with the senior citizen. After I started the conversation, I realised the senior citizen was much more friendly than what we have thought, also she was very considerate and knew that both me and my classmates were very awkward and thus, she did not prob too much about us. We brought her around the park, and our discussion and interactions were also quite harmonious. I especially liked the conversation I had with the senior citizen's daughter. I could also tell that her daughters were very filial and that they could have not followed their mother to the park and have the volunteers there to look after their mother. But instead, they were very concerned and hence followed to the park and take care of their mother.
Taking the senior citizen around the park, if I was not told about her illness, I could barely feel that. She seemed so alert and clear-headed and had not problem communicating with us. I really enjoyed the trip.
Upon this trip, I felt that there are many needy senior citizens in this society. Not that they are low-income, but that they really needed some form entertainment and listening ears. Even though the citizen that were with us had her daughters with her, most senior citizens were alone. I am not quite aware if their children really cared for their parents, however, I could sense that most of them were quite lonely. To such people, I really think that they deserve the attention of the society and we, should do as much as we could to help them. Not in terms of physically, but their mental. Though they suffered of dementia, it does not mean that they do not have any thoughts and feelings, but still, they are very aware of their surroundings.
I have also attended that particular CIP activity that you have gone to. I also share the same sentiments as you. Even thought the elderlies were classified under people with dementia, it seems as there is nothing wrong with them. I feel that it was good that you started conversing with the elderly so that they do not really feel out of place when under your care. You did a good job trying to make the elderly feel comfortable. However, why were you even making conversation with the daughter of the elderly? You stated that the elderly knew that it was awkward due to the age difference. The CIP was supposedly to close the gap between you and the elderly, not to strike a conversation with the elderly's daughter. However, it was still a job well done for everyone in the end as you did get to know the elderly better and successfully brought the elderly around the park.
ReplyDeleteFun Xue Yao (5) 2P4