DYNAMIC STEP 3:

SUPPORTIVE SENIOR PROGRAMS

“Socialization is essential for enhancing thequality of life of people.”

RESPITE CARE SERVICES: at the Academy of Aging is designed to provide relief to Care-Providers for their personal appointments, vacations, or time to buy groceries with peace of mind knowing their loved ones are in capable hands at The Manor Villages.

“Do you know how difficult it is to live alone?”
This Young Man Learned!

A young extrovert, who was the class valedictorian his graduating year, was out with his friends at the local tavern. He was bragging about how independent he had become since finishing school.

An elderly gentleman sitting near the group of friends, could not help but overhear their conversation. He walked over and said, “I will give you $100 dollars if you can live indoors without going outside for seven days. You can have groceries, your bed and shower, as well as a television but no phone. I challenge you, at the end of the seven days of living indoors with no socialization other than your television, to maintain the same belief of independence about which you are now bragging.”

The gentleman’s challenge was eagerly accepted.
The results were very interesting:

Day 1 & 2: were relatively easy, although by the end of the second day and night he was starting to feel quite restless.

Day 3 & 4: were becoming stressful – eating his usual cooking had lost most of its appeal, the television shows were repetitive and definitely boring. He also found he was not sleeping well.

Days 5 & 6: signs of anxiety and depression were becoming apparent – he wanted to leave the house and engage with others, his health was even starting to deteriorate because of his unhealthy diet. He found himself talking to himself, as though each part of his body was a separate person.

Day 7: The young man counted the hours and then the minutes, waiting for the end to the seventh day. He was in tears, by the time the hands of the clock finally arrived at the agreed upon time.

He rushed outside, into the sun and fresh-air. He didn’t stop running until he reached the senior gentleman’s residence – where he lived all by himself. The elderly man opened the door, the young man insisted on shaking his new friend’s hand. Although the young man had completed the task – he had to admit that it had given him a completely different outlook, one that would impact many areas of his life! The experience had changed him. To this day, the young man has not forgotten – he never takes for granted the freedom and independence he currently enjoys. He also makes the time to visit regularly with some of the seniors in his community – knowing first-hand the impact it makes.