My students and I visited a nursing home for nuns in Macau. It was 4 p.m. when our visit was almost done. We said goodbye to some of the nuns who were in bed and, before we left, asked one of them if she would like to get up. She said no; she had nothing to do. It was fine for her to lie quietly in bed.
My mother spends a lot of time in bed out of her own choice. I don’t know if it is the same for the nun we met. Although their daily lives are structured–they get up, groom, eat, rest, and go to bed—it it likely that they do so without engaging in activities that are meaningful to them. At least, that is the way I see it.
When kids explore their world by bumping around, we think they are normal; that they are healthy, active kids. When people grow old, we think it is OK for them to lie in bed not doing anything. Why is that OK?
Would my sister and I feel better if my mother got up, sat around and did nothing? Would it make visitors to the nursing home for nuns feel better if Sister got out of bed and sat in a wheelchair, but with nothing to do? By doing so, they would maintain the appearance of being “normal.” So I could happily attend to my own business?
As a gero nurse, I did not fully appreciate the importance of being engaged in life until I encountered these situations. People of all ages need to be engaged in meaningful activities. When they can no longer do this because of cognitive or physical impairment, it is up to us to create a structured world for them that is meaningful. They need to get up, engage in small tasks, talk to people, do things for themselves, or do little things for others. Only with meaningful engagement will our time in this world be worth living.
For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.
A group of us volunteer at a local nursing home. We help the residents play BINGO. Like you, they remind me of my mother. Some can't hear, can't see, can't move the chips to the correct spot on the board, or don't recognize when they have won. We learn their names, touch their shoulder or hand. They need the contact. We serve them an appropiate little snack, and give them a bit of change when they win. We make sure everyone wins. It gives them "something to do." It gives us a blessing of seeing their joy.
ReplyDeleteThe moment we stop working or being active, it is the start of the downfall of our body's health. I feel so sad for them lying in bed all day. I think someone should encourage them. It is the job of the aide also. Keep them active.
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