This week we attended the JFS Balboa Older Adult Center where we first got a tour of much of the services offered and then played bingo with some of the older adults there.
Aviva Saad, the older adult program coordinator talked to us a little bit about the various services offered, including meals, singing, games, and more. She said that her specialty is in working with those with Alzheimers and Dementia, both in early and later stages. Something I found to be significant in her talk is that it is important to always try to put yourself in others’ shoes to understand where they are coming from. She explained that while it may be easy to become frustrated with people with Dementia, once you put yourself in their shoes your views may shift. Not only will that shift help the person you are working with, but it will also help you to become more empathetic.
After Aviva’s talk, we walked around and got to see the food pantry and kitchens, as well as the mini grocery store where individuals can use points to buy the food they want. Healthy foods, such as produce, were free, which I found to be a really great touch.
Finally, we sat around tables with older adults and played bingo with them. The man I was sitting next to kept cracking some pretty funny jokes, and even though he was a bit confused by the game it didn’t seem to affect his mood. Another woman I was sitting with seemed a bit more affected by her confusion, but she had a young woman sitting next to her and helping her out which I think made a big difference. Overall, it was nice to see yet another safe place that focuses on improving the lives of older adults.
Aviva Saad, the older adult program coordinator talked to us a little bit about the various services offered, including meals, singing, games, and more. She said that her specialty is in working with those with Alzheimers and Dementia, both in early and later stages. Something I found to be significant in her talk is that it is important to always try to put yourself in others’ shoes to understand where they are coming from. She explained that while it may be easy to become frustrated with people with Dementia, once you put yourself in their shoes your views may shift. Not only will that shift help the person you are working with, but it will also help you to become more empathetic.
After Aviva’s talk, we walked around and got to see the food pantry and kitchens, as well as the mini grocery store where individuals can use points to buy the food they want. Healthy foods, such as produce, were free, which I found to be a really great touch.
Finally, we sat around tables with older adults and played bingo with them. The man I was sitting next to kept cracking some pretty funny jokes, and even though he was a bit confused by the game it didn’t seem to affect his mood. Another woman I was sitting with seemed a bit more affected by her confusion, but she had a young woman sitting next to her and helping her out which I think made a big difference. Overall, it was nice to see yet another safe place that focuses on improving the lives of older adults.