As many of you know I have been volunteering with a program that is involved with visiting elderly individuals to provide some socializing and activity. Doing this provides the person with some company and can really improve their lives. And for me, I think it is benefiting just as much. I have learned a lot about what it is like to transition into this time of life and the various challenges. As a nursing student we looked a lot at development and including this later stage. It has really encouraged my thinking about this. I was visiting dear friend yesterday and my boyfriend kindly joined since they had both met several times before. We were chatting about how he was travelling and was preparing to go away. My friend mentioned how he to was preparing but to go a different place, heaven. It amazed me how he was so calm and content with saying that. He has gone through much change recently and I have watched him become more dependent on other people.
The whole reason this though process has come about was due to talking to another lady who was taking the aqua fit class. We discussing such transition and she put it as the "second childhood". And I do see it that way. As we progress older we once again become independent on other people, like a child depends on the parents. The difference is that this elderly people have many many years to their name, of experience, independence, and their own offerings of support. What this wonderful lady reminded me of and reaffirmed was the importance of seeking wisdom from such people.
As working as a future nurse (with the understanding that not all can or will want to) is to ask and seek wisdom from such people. As these individuals face that transition from independence to dependence it is important to remember that their minds are full of wisdom and stories and adventures if someone is there to listen. I hope as a nurse and nursing student that I can gain small pieces of wisdom and remind these wonderful people that they do have something to offer.
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