It seemed such a good idea at the time... to bring arts and crafts to little old ladies at local assisted living centers. So many of their activities and events are passive -- watching a play, a ballgame, sitting on a bus for a city tour. Yawn... With arts and crafts they have to engage their brains and their hands... they have to interact... "Can you pass the scissors? Is this the right glue? What are we doing?"
Sometimes they struggle...
Sometimes they whine...
Sometimes they concentrate really hard that when their name is called really loud, even if they have their hearing aid in, they don't hear you.
And when they are all done, despite the struggling and grumbling... they are amazed at what they have done. Sometimes I am pretty amazed at what we have done too.
10 comments:
Jenny:
I love that you're teaching these seniors to do crafty things. What could possibly be better than engaging their brains and hands in a social environment, resulting in a pretty, imaginative craft? Thank you for sharing the photos. The look of joy on their faces made my day! You should be very proud of what you've accomplished!
Those pictures are so sweet Jenny...and you are too!
I love this post. I will be doing crafts at bible school in a few weeks and we have the same problems with kids. Maybe it is only in middle age that we are somewhat easy to be around.
I can’t think of a more fulfilling job than what you are doing right now Jenny. It must do your heart good to know you are enriching lives like this. Bravo! I think you are quite gifted…and blessed.
Jenny -- that's great that you do arts and crafts with the granny-girls!! As a physical therapist in homecare, I always , always ask people what their hobbies are and try to encourage them to get involved again. I also worked at a nursing home for 4 years and always stopped by the activities room when the girls were doing their projects to chit chat for minute. I can't tell you how important I think arts and crafts projects are for overall rehab. It's therapy disguised as fun -- great emotional, physical and social benefits !! YEA YOU !!
Thanks so much for doing this! My mother was one of those little old ladies in assisted living the 2 years before she passed away. The arts and crafts were very important, to her! She enjoyed doing these things, so much. And it was good for her!
Pat
Back Porch Musings
Aren't my LOL (Little Old Ladies) cute as they can be? The lady in the blue dress and the black lady, are both in their 90's -- sharp, funny -- neither of them are the grumblers.
My mom is now in an assisted living center -- she is no longer able to do crafts, but up till recently we made sure she was well supplied.
In some of these pictures my Art Suitcase can be seen in the background -- it's in what I bring all my supplies.
Just coming up with projects keeps my brains engaged, which is no small thing.
Jenny
Thanks for the photos...it's nice to see your LOL's.
You know how much I admire you!
I love it. I hope when I am "older", someone as nice and patient as you will help me to be crafty.
Thanks for sharing that.
Katie
What a special gift you are sharing with these lucky seniors. They look like they are having such a wonderful time.
Teresa
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