Today (1/25/23), we went to the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center. I had a wonderful time there. The center was beautiful and their resources were amazing. During the tour, I was not expecting to see a dental office. I was amazed to learn about how preventative dental offices are to our health. Our leader explained how 40% of illness for older adults develops in the gums first. He also shared an experience with an older adult who used to cover her mouth when speaking to him because she was embarrassed of her mouth. It is so interesting that dentistry is important to not only treat and prevent illness, but to also increase confidence in socialization which has many mental and physical health benefits. It was disheartening to learn that the people who are arguably the most vulnerable (ie: people who struggle to dress themselves or use the restroom) are turned away in many cases. I thought that it was cool that the center has lights outside and cameras so that people experiencing homelessness can feel a level of safety if they are sleeping there. I really enjoyed connecting with the older adults and the staff that work there. Everyone was so kind and happy to have a conversation. Because I was serving food, I didn’t have as much time to talk to others, but I look forward to having conversations at our love, connect, and care event. Fred, one of the volunteers there, was a wonderful person who was very easy to connect with. I had a nice time doing a little dance with him and chatting with him.
I would be interested to learn more about housing for older adults. Today, our leader expressed how decision makers used to hold this idea that stovetops were a hazard to have in the older adult rooms. I wonder if this came from the assumption that older adults are too forgetful or slow. I am glad that they are now putting stovetops in housing because I feel that giving someone the autonomy to cook their own meals is really powerful. I am curious as to what other assumptions about housing for older adults have been made over the years. I also would be curious if there have been developers who design housing that is layered. Meaning that mixed in with the housing are spaces for activities, resources, etc. If anyone has ever read Soft Cities by David Sims, that is what I am thinking about.