Nursing Home Volunteering

I began volunteering at Morningside House of Laurel since my freshmen year of high school. I normally volunteer on weekends for three hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. When I arrive, the residents are cozily relaxed in the warm lounge, where I greet them “good morning.” I walk straight ahead and pass through the double doors to where the early dementia and Alzheimer’s residents are, known as the Memory Lane. Communicating with the early dementia and Alzheimer's residents is difficult due to their immobilities and due to my fear of making them feel uncomfortable. Hence, I took small gradual steps each time. I do activities with them, such as playing volleyball with a balloon. Such activities engages them by refreshing their mind and glistens their face with happiness. Over time, when they became comfortable with my presence, I learned how to communicate effortlessly with them without having to force conversation. Listening to them recite their stories made me realize how much experience they have had and how much I can learn from them.
One day, I had completed all my given tasks and I waited in the lounge for my mother to pick me up. I saw a dementia patient who constantly asked the desk clerk if her daughter had called. After the desk clerk tells her that her daughter has not called, the lady sits back down on the sofa for couple minutes and goes back to ask. It was disheartening to witness her asking for her daughter. Nonetheless, volunteering at the Morningside House of Laurel enhanced me as an individual. It provides me with an experience that is unique from other activities I do