This past Thursday, January 17th 2018, was our first site visit of the quarter to The Gary and Mary West Center. Visiting this center was such an incredible experience because not only were we able to interact with the elderly there but we were also able to serve them their food and get a tour of the facility. When we first arrived at the center, I somewhat thought it was a living community for the elderly but I then learned it was a wellness center that offered a lot of amazing thigs. For instance the Gary and Mary West Center offered a cyber room that allowed the elder to use computers, internet, etc. It was so adorable to see the elders in this room sitting on a desk using a computer, I imagined them using face-book to communicate with friends or family (: I also saw many elders in a fitness room/class which is amazing because it is always important to do some sort of physical activity to keep our health going, I really loved that this center offered this but one thing that most stands out to me was the dentist. Being a public health major and learning so many things in my courses I know that one thing that our system lacks is oral care. When I learned that this center provided oral care I was so happy because keeping one’s teeth clean and healthy also keeps us from diseases and pain in our mouth. The center offers many other things but these were the ones that stood out to me the most.
At the center we also had the opportunity to spend some time with some of the elders that were waiting for lunch. I was able to interact with a table of about 6 women, but I talked to two the most. I cannot seem to remember their names (bummer) but they were such beautiful and amazing women. The first women I talked to was telling me how she got to San Diego and how she comes to eat most days with her group of friends, what I found so adorable though was that the first thing she asked me was how old I thought she was. She was so happy to hear that I gave her an age that was much younger from her actual age and went on to say that tons of people tell her the same thing, that she looks much younger. The other women I talked to also first asked me how old I thought she was and from there went on to tell me that a couple months ago or a year the entrance security did not want to let her into lunch because she was not in the age range to receive food. She went on to say that the person thought she was much younger and didn’t qualify for lunch but also said that one of the main people told the security person that no one should ever get neglected from entering. She also asked me if I worked at UCSD Hospital, I think a lot of the elders there thought that because I kept getting the same question but I had to explain that we were students at UCSD, from there the elderly women explained that she asked me this question because her son used to go to UCSD hospital because he had cancer and how he passed away a couple of months ago but is now able to explain this without crying. She ended by explaining were she grew up and telling me to take care. It was a great experience talking to the elder but what most impacted me was observing them as they ate. I clearly remember a man who did not finish all his food and instead of throwing it away he got a plastic cup and began to put the left overs in there so he could take. This really made me tear up because it really got me thinking how there are so many people in this world who maybe this is their only meal or don’t completely eat what they get because they want to save some for later. There are times when I have to throw out some food that I didn’t get the chance to eat completely but it always makes me feel bad, but seeing this man do that just hurt me. It made me realize that I am very lucky to be were I am at right now and to appreciate everything I have around me. I am glad I was able to attend this center and learn but also be more motivated to help program that assist the elder or anyone who is in need of food, shelter and health.
I know that this program with teach me so much and I cannot wait, that way I can use what I learned and apply it to the real world to help programs like this. I would also like to take this time and thank Monique for offering her car to drive some of my peers and I to the center and back to school! Thank you (:
At the center we also had the opportunity to spend some time with some of the elders that were waiting for lunch. I was able to interact with a table of about 6 women, but I talked to two the most. I cannot seem to remember their names (bummer) but they were such beautiful and amazing women. The first women I talked to was telling me how she got to San Diego and how she comes to eat most days with her group of friends, what I found so adorable though was that the first thing she asked me was how old I thought she was. She was so happy to hear that I gave her an age that was much younger from her actual age and went on to say that tons of people tell her the same thing, that she looks much younger. The other women I talked to also first asked me how old I thought she was and from there went on to tell me that a couple months ago or a year the entrance security did not want to let her into lunch because she was not in the age range to receive food. She went on to say that the person thought she was much younger and didn’t qualify for lunch but also said that one of the main people told the security person that no one should ever get neglected from entering. She also asked me if I worked at UCSD Hospital, I think a lot of the elders there thought that because I kept getting the same question but I had to explain that we were students at UCSD, from there the elderly women explained that she asked me this question because her son used to go to UCSD hospital because he had cancer and how he passed away a couple of months ago but is now able to explain this without crying. She ended by explaining were she grew up and telling me to take care. It was a great experience talking to the elder but what most impacted me was observing them as they ate. I clearly remember a man who did not finish all his food and instead of throwing it away he got a plastic cup and began to put the left overs in there so he could take. This really made me tear up because it really got me thinking how there are so many people in this world who maybe this is their only meal or don’t completely eat what they get because they want to save some for later. There are times when I have to throw out some food that I didn’t get the chance to eat completely but it always makes me feel bad, but seeing this man do that just hurt me. It made me realize that I am very lucky to be were I am at right now and to appreciate everything I have around me. I am glad I was able to attend this center and learn but also be more motivated to help program that assist the elder or anyone who is in need of food, shelter and health.
I know that this program with teach me so much and I cannot wait, that way I can use what I learned and apply it to the real world to help programs like this. I would also like to take this time and thank Monique for offering her car to drive some of my peers and I to the center and back to school! Thank you (: