The Caring Place is a program at my home church, First United Methodist in Magnolia, that has been in place for about two years. The director told my parents that she was interested in my working for her this summer, and after pondering it for a while, I decided it would be a good situation. The Caring Place works with adult Alzheimer's patients, but the primary purpose of the ministry is to give their caretakers a four hour break each week to do things that they usually can't do or enjoy when caring for their loved one. Currently, nine adults are on roll to attend. Every Thursday, the patients come to the church from 10:00-2:00, and The Caring Place provides games, arts and crafts, socialization, etc. for the patients. The main goal is to stimulate the patients' brains to maintain as much neuron firing and memory as possible. On Thursdays, I'll arrive at the church at 9:00 to set up the activities for the day and leave probably around 3:00 after cleaning up. When the participants are present, I'll be working with the volunteers and helping the adults. On one Thursday this summer, we're going to have a spa day! I can only imagine how happy the 90 year old women will be when they are pampered and get their nails done just like they used to be able to do on their own. We'll probably also have a Luau day and a field trip to Lake Columbia for a picnic lunch.
The other part of my job will involve office work on Tuesday afternoons. The supplies are currently a mess, and one of my major tasks will be to organize everything. As many of you know, I LOVE organizing! I'll also help write the newsletters, update the pamphlet, run errands, help with advertising, and prepare for the following Thursday's activities. It works out well because when I start physics in July, I'll work on Tuesday mornings instead of afternoons and just come on Thursdays in the morning. The flexibility is a plus. I'm only working two days a week, so it's great because it allows for random shopping days, trips to Bartlett and Jackson, and Michael visits to Magnolia! Also, with my vacations and class this summer, I knew I wouldn't be able to work near as much as I usually do.
I'm really looking forward to this job because I think it will be more rewarding compared to jobs I've held in the past. It will definitely be more stimulating and at some times, challenging. Working with the participants and helping them play Wii bowling or paint a birdhouse and seeing their satisfaction in accomplishing these simple tasks will make me feel like I made a small difference. Their caregivers, and for some people, their spouses, deserve at least a four hour break from their devoted care for these adults. It will also give me more experience with geriatric patients, which is definitely a group that I would encounter as an optometry student (hopefully) and practicing doctor.
My first day there is tomorrow! I hope I like it, and from what people have told me, I probably will.
