I got an opportunity to do my service learning at Sentara Woodview. The community is located in South Boston. The home is a 180-unit housing elder individuals. The environment is pleasing which make it a perfect location for providing a senior living. The neighborhood is of relatively medium-density when it comes to a population with an approximate 14,000 individuals living within the zip code. The residents are of average income. Sentara is centrally located with several essential services like pharmacy, shopping center and churches within a mile radius. The goal of the facility is to provide care for the elderly who may need special attention because of an illness or may not be left at home since there is no one to look after them. The home also provides treatment facilities for the residents.
As I was moving into the facility, I had two goals. One was to gain first-hand experience of working with an individual in such a community as I knew it would count later in my career. There is connection one can make between service learning and the themes that would be addressed in class. Once you engage in service learning, you get to experience what it means to serve (Rosenberger, 2014). In a nursing home, for instance, one would experience what human dignity entails just as I did during the time I was in the home. I got to learn that social ties are essential and play a key role in holding individuals together especially those who cannot help themselves.
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Making the trip to South Boston was in itself an experience. I had never been to a nursing home before hence I did not have any idea how it would turn to be a good thing I was accompanied by a friend who had also made an application to do their service learning at the same home. We first thought it would be wise to carry some gifts to present to the house as we realized we could not afford to get each of them something. It was a big portrait of a landscape drawing we gave it to the director of the house in the presence of a few of the residents. They were happy from the expression on their faces and that it when we got to experience how small gestures can mean a lot.
The first day was more of an orientation getting to know the place and a few in-house rules. We spent most of the time with the director as she gave us a little history of the home and later assigned us to different points where we would serve. I was assigned to the activity room. The activity room was the point where the residents would watch the television, play cards, play scrabble and others would use the opportunity to read the newspaper. The room was sizable enough to accommodate people from the various floors. It was necessary to offer assistance as it was located on the lower level of the building. The room was also accessible using an elevator though most of the residents required assistance while leaving or coming into the activity room.
The room had a refrigerator well stocked, a small kitchen with microwave, preparing meals was my best part most of the times. The music selection was also great from great gospel music, some jazz and nostalgic country music to ensure everyone was taken care off. In the team we had a good dance would make people giggle with his fabulous moves on the dance floor. The television had a few fans especially those who followed politics and happenings around the globe would tune to CNN or Fox News. The other time the TV would function was when there was a soccer match. We had few who were not favorite of the activity room and would spend in their resident halls. Such could get their snacks and drinks served in their rooms.
I met Joan who works as a social worker in the facility. She was a friendly lady and could direct me most of the times on the things to do at the activity room. She was always keeping me in the loop, explaining several things. Indeed, she wanted me to have a brilliant experience during my stay in South Boston. Apart from helping in the activity room, I was also assigned to clean some of the rooms that the residents slept and Joan would explain sad and happy moments they encounter. One that saddened me was when she said they lose residents sometimes. Two weeks before my assignment, they had lost a senior woman who succumbed to a stroke.
Games time were the best moments as I got time to talk with a few and get personal stories from the residents. I enjoy playing Scrabble and card games, but at some point, I was required to join the residents in games. I was not good entirely. There was a time I had to join a few in playing pool. Mr. Gregory from Dallas always wants someone he could play pool. Honestly, I had never held a cue stick before, but I did not want to disappoint him. I made him understand that I was not good with the game and would appreciate it if he gave me a few tips. Within the second week we were playing the game perfectly
There are times when Joan and I check on the residents. It is a routine where the social worker needs to conduct a verbal quiz after two months. Joan told me it was the most challenging part, as some would not respond. I experienced that sometimes when I accompanied her in one of the rounds. Some residents were cooperative and could answer the questions. She was happy that my presence made a few of the residents were cooperative; they enjoy seeing visitors. Some were happy being in the university studying to help people like them.
The biggest project I got involved in was a fundraiser. The home organizes the fundraisers occasionally to raise funds for covering medical expenses, buying food and essential items and also to cater to the operation costs in the home. We had a whole week to arrange since we were expecting visitors both from the local community and the county officials. I was in charge of the decoration, and to my surprise, the director gave me the role to be an emcee. I also had to organize an exhibition of some of the items and artwork that the residents had made which would be auctioned to raise funds further. On the fundraising day, though tensed, I gain the courage to do my best. The director opened with a speech then entertainment followed from a choir within the neighborhood. The day was a success, and in the end, the home raised a substantial amount of money more than they had done before. The director was very impressed. The fundraising was one of my most significant accomplishment while at home.
I gained a lot and staying in Boston was great. I was happy that the facility was true to its mission and objectives. The few residents I got an opportunity to talked to were delighted with the services offered in the home. During the regular assessments, one had expressed how he felt helpless in his current form. Those who were in critical conditions also showed happiness, which gave them hope to live longer. The facility thus meets the needs of the residents.
Professionally I was happy to have such an experience. I had noticed the ratio of staff to the residents remained constant. Joan made me understand that having more staff member is not very significant and may worsen the situation. The residents needed space; therefore, a nurse, social worker, and a manager were enough to get the home running (Baldwin, 2016). For the residents, it may require a lot of adjustment while moving to a nursing home and would, therefore, expect to be treated with a lot of dignity they deserve.
I was particularly not impressed with a few of the staff whom in some situation would mock or ignore the residents. I believe it is the responsibility of the crews to help the residents even though some may be difficult. To be a nurse or a social worker requires an individual with compassion and patience (Thompson, 2015). The whole experience gave me confidence that I was ready to face any situation in my line of duty.
Conclusion
My stay in Boston was terrific from meeting new friends in the home and gaining the experience necessary for my professional development. One week after I had left, I felt that I was already missing the whole experience and the people I had met in the home. I visited on the weekend to have a game of pool with Mr. Gregory and later hanged out with Joan. I even told her I was considering to volunteer a few months after being done with schools before I get a placement a move which they welcomed.
References
Baldwin, M. (2016). Social work, critical reflection and the learning organization . Routledge.
Rosenberger, C. (2014). Beyond empathy: Developing critical consciousness through service learning. In Integrating service learning and multicultural education in colleges and universities (pp. 39-60). Routledge.
Thompson, N. (2015). Understanding social work: Preparing for practice . Macmillan International Higher Education.
