Mayfair Gardens is a subsidized housing complex for older people and disabled people. It has its own large community room. Twice a week the Senior Center sends volunteers to put on a program for the elderly who don't normally get out. Not all the participants live at Mayfair Gardens. Some have their own home but being a widow or widower, or with a disability, they don't get out. Dial-a-ride brings them. The Tuesday and Thursday meetings are their only outside activities and they love it.
A typical day starts with a round table discussion as members join us. When everyone is present the paid leader reads from the newspapers. At the request of the 12 participants, only good news is read and then discussed. Everyone is asked his or her opinion so no one feels left out.
The next part of the program is educational. It might be slides, a guest speaker, or a presentation by the paid leader or volunteers. For instance, the leader brought in an assortment of hats from the 1950's. She collects them. We all picked out a hat and wore it during the meeting. Some of the women brought white gloves which they wore, as they would have at a tea in the 1950's. They discussed popular television shows of the time period.
Then we did chair exercises that were surprisingly vigorous. For fun we played balloon toss. The participants remained on their chairs while we tossed the balloon around. Everyone took a turn. There were a lot of happy smiles playing this game.
Afterwards the table was set with china cups and we served the people a variety of teas. There also were trays of delicious cookies purchased from the bakery. This was another time to enjoy fellowship with each other and talk. For many of the people the only conversations they have are at the checkout counter at the supermarket, or with their TV sets at home. The leader gave a talk about different teas, and the history of teas that was very interesting.
While some of the volunteers cleaned up the tea and cookies, song sheets were handed out. To the accompanient of taped music, we all joined in singing old time songs.
Have you heard the saying, probably from your mother, "Never eat your dessert first?" Well, we put the dessert first knowing no one would over indulge. So after the singing of old time songs, and reminiscing again, we set the table for the noon meal. This is provided through another agency called Community Renewal. They bring the prepared food which is heated in the oven in the community room kitchen.
Since we had two diabetics, two special meals were ordered for them. The meal consisted on a hot dish, vegetable, bread and a salad. The day of the tea party there was no dessert since they already had cookies. Diabetics get fruit instead. Everyone has their choice of fruit juice, milk, coffee or tea.
This program lasts about four hours and is a happy time for all. The day of the tea party one of the members was in the hospital. A card was passed around and everyone signed it. The paid leader would deliver the card and a floral gift to the hospital.
We put our 1950's hats back on the table. While we cleaned up, the participants who ranged in age from 75 to 90, chatted with each other. As the time approached for the bus to arrive, we went around to say goodbye to each participant. The hugs I received made me feel warm inside. I was here to help them, but they helped me, too. My own parents are gone and I missed being with them and learning from their experiences. At this program I had a dozen wonderful older people anxious to talk and share their experiences. So even though I was a volunteer, I felt truly privileged to be part of this wonderful program. The only regret I have is summer is short. Soon I'll be back to teaching and while I love the children I teach, I'll miss these gentle older people who have wormed their way into my heart.
Bio:Bea Sheftel is a former journalist and editor. Her articles and fiction have been published in newspapers and magazines. She also teaches writing on line and in person. She also is a book reviewer for Romantic Bower, Heart Rate Reviews, Writers Club Romance Group (AOL), and editor at Fitness Heaven and Suite101 on homelessness.
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