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I bet, Taps, have you decided yet to fill in at your old job???
posted by
JanesOpinion
on October 29, 2005 at 11:17 AM
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Ohhhh, JanesOpinion. This makes me miss all of the "Mary's" that I worked with.
posted by
TAPS.
on October 29, 2005 at 9:56 AM
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Hi Jo,
thanks for sharing those blog sites. You do some wonderful work! We don't have a job title specifically for an art therapist, but we have activity directors who assist with everything from artwork to painting nails, to story hour, to arranging for dog shows . . . and we even have a once monthly "Happy Hour"!!! The residents and family love this. They pour into the dining room and are served a few drinks and snacks. That is if they don't have a history of alcoholism or liver disease or other such ailment that would of necessity prevent them from imbibing. They also have movie night on a regular basis. The activity room has an aviary and a library and a lot of windows looking out over grass and trees, so it's a popular place to hang out. One day I went to the activity room only to discover a group of old folks assembled around the table rolling cigarettes. Talk about a chuckle!!! Most were nonsmokers but they were so engrossed in watching this one old smoker attempt to roll her own cigarettes.
Anyway, they do have fun, and yes, art is a definite part of their activities. I'm glad your residents have someone so very capable!!!
posted by
JanesOpinion
on October 28, 2005 at 8:47 PM
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oooops
I am an Art Therapist in an Aged Care Centre.
I would love your feed back from time to time.
Glad you are here....I'll add you to my favourites.
I started out as a nurse by the way.
http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/aged_care_artistic_activities/297628
posted by
brisbane_artist
on October 28, 2005 at 8:10 PM
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Hi Do you have an Art Therapist?
I am a
posted by
brisbane_artist
on October 28, 2005 at 8:05 PM
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Hi Do you have an Art Therapist?
I am a
posted by
brisbane_artist
on October 28, 2005 at 8:05 PM
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Oh, and Ariel, well done with that hugging bit.
Hugs and TLC will never go out of style in nursing homes. Those old folks are grateful for every bit of attention given them. It doesn't take much. When I was a kid our family would go about every other week to the nursing home to sing. My dad would play the guitar, my sister or I would play the piano and we would sing hymns. They loved it!
posted by
JanesOpinion
on October 28, 2005 at 7:55 PM
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Woo hoo, Ariel70, but they sure have changed!
Rather than each old folk being provided care and comfort in a dreary environment, Medicare and each State mandates a ton of rules and regulations. "Old folks' homes" are required to provide entertainment, a variety of activities, physical, occupation and speech therapy, life enhancing and life sparing medications and treatments of all sorts and of course the usual comfort care. It has become a huge industry! In general, I think it's been a good change; however, I do feel that residents are on far too many drugs, and I am trying to gradually weed out some of the unnecessary ones. Drugs companies just LUV old folks homes!!!
Thanks for stoping by and do forgive my winded response.
posted by
JanesOpinion
on October 28, 2005 at 7:53 PM
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Thanks MandaLee,
and they have certainly been a blessing to me!
posted by
JanesOpinion
on October 28, 2005 at 7:50 PM
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Jane's
Your moving post reminded me of many years ago, when I was redecorating an old peoples' home Guess that unPC now, eh? ) and while I was getting ready to go home, a lady was wheeled int the hall.
She was sobbing, and then she cried out " Oh God, I want to die!"
What else could I, or any other caring person, do but kneel down by her wheelchair and hug her ; paint stained overalls and all.
The staff looked at me as if I were mad, but I didn't care. I was then, and am now, proud that I could offer some small comfort to a suffering fellow human
posted by
ariel70
on October 28, 2005 at 6:23 AM
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Jane,
That was such a sweet and touching post. Thank you for being a wonderful blessing in the lives of so many Marys.
posted by
Amanda__
on October 28, 2005 at 6:16 AM
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Thanks Flightpath,
I really did not think I'd love these old folks as much as I do. They're very dear.
posted by
JanesOpinion
on October 26, 2005 at 9:11 PM
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Jane'sOpinion-You, my dear, are there for her...beautiful post.!!
posted by
reasons
on October 26, 2005 at 9:06 PM
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