On Saturday November 18th 2017, The Life Course Program and I went on a tour of downtown San Diego and the shelters older aging adults live in. Before going and actually taking a look at whee these people lived I thought I would see them living in rooms that were tiny and not well maintained but there was one shelter we went into that was actually the opposite. It felt like a hotel or a fancy condo where these older individuals lived. Their rooms were pretty spacious with a bed, drawers, cabinets, shower/bathroom, closet, and sink to wash their dishes etc. The building had lots of windows which made it seem very nice and welcoming while also providing gardens and places for them to hang out. This was totally different then what I expected, I actually really liked it and felt happy that these foundations were available to assist older aging individuals that were once homeless.
On the contrary the other shelter that I saw was opposite, it was what I envisioned it to be. The rooms were very tiny and not well maintained. I felt kind of claustrophobic just being in the room a little and that did not include all the things someone has in the rooms. In this shelter, as I was walking by I could see some of the rooms that people were living in and they were soooooooo crowded and full of personal stuff which is understandable because the room is really small, it is good that they have this place to live in but I just thought it was to small and I also think that it is some what crazy how the whole floor has to share a bathroom or shower if they do not have one in their room.
Overall it was a great experience going down town and learning where these places are located and the foundations that are helping establish them to assist the aging population. I feel like it also got me to appreciate more what I have and my home because there are a lot of people who do not have home and if they do its either something very tiny or not in the best conditions. On our way to the shelters I saw a lot of homeless people although someone mentioned that at night its even more homeless hanging around the streets. I really enjoyed going on this trip and learning about how these shelters are funded and the services provided for the aging population because as a public health major it is important to intervene and assist but also provide services that allow individuals to cope with whatever they are going through and provide social support and build a community were they feel welcome and safe. There is a lot to do, but I am happy to see that there are foundations that provide help for our aging population (:
On the contrary the other shelter that I saw was opposite, it was what I envisioned it to be. The rooms were very tiny and not well maintained. I felt kind of claustrophobic just being in the room a little and that did not include all the things someone has in the rooms. In this shelter, as I was walking by I could see some of the rooms that people were living in and they were soooooooo crowded and full of personal stuff which is understandable because the room is really small, it is good that they have this place to live in but I just thought it was to small and I also think that it is some what crazy how the whole floor has to share a bathroom or shower if they do not have one in their room.
Overall it was a great experience going down town and learning where these places are located and the foundations that are helping establish them to assist the aging population. I feel like it also got me to appreciate more what I have and my home because there are a lot of people who do not have home and if they do its either something very tiny or not in the best conditions. On our way to the shelters I saw a lot of homeless people although someone mentioned that at night its even more homeless hanging around the streets. I really enjoyed going on this trip and learning about how these shelters are funded and the services provided for the aging population because as a public health major it is important to intervene and assist but also provide services that allow individuals to cope with whatever they are going through and provide social support and build a community were they feel welcome and safe. There is a lot to do, but I am happy to see that there are foundations that provide help for our aging population (: