Catholic Health World

Long-term care residents brighten holiday season for needy

By JULIE MINDA

Residents of assisted living and long-term care facilities throughout the Catholic health ministry are busily stitching handcrafts, collecting food and buying toys to give to people in need this holiday.

"Although most residents don't have a car and some have mobility impairments … a lot of them find a way to contribute because they want to participate to the best of their abilities," said Cindy Hulst, mission integration chair and director of the social work department at Villa St. Vincent/The Summit in Crookston, Minn.

When residents and staff work together to help others, she said, "this promotes our mission — who we are and what we're all about — and there comes with this a sense of loyalty and pride and a sense of ownership that we're a part of all this."

Particularly over the last decade-plus, facilities across the care continuum have become increasingly intentional about giving their residents the opportunity to do what they want to do, on their terms. The principle is no less applicable when it comes to volunteerism, said Sue Wanamaker, therapeutic activities director for Madonna Manor of North Attleboro, Mass. That's why many assisted living facilities and nursing homes support their residents' efforts to undertake a wide variety of service projects throughout the year, but especially at Christmastime.

Circle of giving
At Madonna Manor, residents recently "got together and thought of what we could do show the public that we can help them out when they're in need," explained resident Mary Ellen McGowan. She cochairs the Culture Club, a group organized by and for residents. For its first project, the club collected food and gift cards to create Thanksgiving baskets for a dozen families served by nearby Lenore's Food Pantry. Residents hand-painted the cards they tucked into each basket.

Wanamaker noted that "especially with the economy being what it is out there, (residents) really felt like they needed to answer a need."

McGowan recalled that years ago when her finances were strained, a church gave her the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner. "This is a way that I can pay back for that."

The local paper ran an article on the Thanksgiving basket project this fall, and the community rallied to assist. "Complete strangers would come up and say, 'I saw your picture in the paper. What can I do to help?'" said Florence Marshall, a manor resident and Culture Club cochair.

Next, the group plans to write letters to servicemen and women who may be down after the holiday hubbub is over.

Connecting to community
For residents of Villa St. Vincent/The Summit, the annual Thanksgiving-time food collection is a way for residents to maintain their connection to the community while also reminding the community of the facility's faith-based mission, said Hulst.

Residents, family members, staff members and visitors contribute to the collection, which benefits Crookston's Care and Share Food Shelf pantry. In 10 years, donors have given 2,500 pounds of food and $5,600 in cash. Villa St. Vincent/The Summit matched the cash donation.

Throughout the year, Villa St. Vincent/The Summit residents also make goodies for bake sales and organize and contribute to other fund-raisers. "The ones that can volunteer, do," said resident Joyce Rock, a lifelong volunteer and philanthropic donor.

"When you have so much, you should share," she said.

Many helpers
Whenever a volunteer opportunity comes up at Ave Maria Village in Jamestown, N.D., residents and staff step up, said Deacon Tom Geffre, the facility's chaplain. So he wasn't surprised this year when the Salvation Army asked for bell-ringers and dozens of recruits stepped forward from the village including people confined to wheelchairs and limited by peripheral paralysis. The volunteers collect donations at a Jamestown mall, said Geffre.

Julie Pommering, director of human resources at Alexian Village of Milwaukee, said that some residents don't have extra money to donate. Others lack the physical stamina to participate in all charity activities. But everyone has something positive to contribute. "We always try to use people's strengths," Pommering said.

Throughout the year, residents with needle-crafting skills meet monthly to make dolls or caps and mittens for babies in a nearby children's hospital. Residents who love to cook make goodies for charity bake sales. Those who can teach, tutor students.

The holiday season brings additional giving opportunities at Alexian. Residents and staff contribute to a Thanksgiving basket collection that benefits employees. And residents give to a fund for Christmastime bonuses for staff. Since employees aren't allowed to accept tips, residents see these collections as ways to say thank you to them, said Vorell Stovall, an Alexian administrative assistant.

Residents also donate to a Christmas toy drive. Staff can "shop" through the toys and buy them at a deep discount, so they have presents to give their children. "Many, many (residents) participate," said Pommering. "And part of it is, it's because residents love children, and they miss their own grandchildren. So if they know that they can do something for other kids, it's an easy choice."

Pommering noted that giving can add a spark to an elder's day. "We know the people who maybe we need to draw out a little bit, especially this time of year when it gets darker earlier and they don't get out as much. We try to find ways to have them have purpose, like inviting them to clean off toys for the toy drive." 

A social event
Residents gather around the "giving tree" at Holy Redeemer St. Joseph Manor in Meadowbrook, Pa., and pluck off ornaments that suggest an item to donate to people in need.

Cristina Dachowski, director of human resources at the manor, said residents enjoy sitting by the tree and seeing all that activity. "It does bring a lot of people out of their rooms and into the lobby area. It's a chance to talk about the tree and other things, so it turns into a social event as well. You make friends that way."

Doris Caputo lives at the manor and contributes to service projects like the giving tree. "You automatically do the volunteering when it's in you," she said. "So far I think I've done good here."

The giving tree donations go to homeless moms and their children served by the Dreuding Center, a transitional housing facility. The center is part of Holy Redeemer Health System of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., the same health system as the manor.

Each year, St. Joseph Manor leaders ask Drueding administrators what the facility's residents need most. The first year, it was women's and children's coats and hats; the second year, household items like pots, pans and sheets; and this year, books for a literacy initiative. Each year, St. Joseph Manor has been deluged with donations and it expects the same benevolence this year.

Anne Marie Collins, executive director of Drueding, said the moms at the center appreciate the gifts and find ways to express their gratitude. For instance, one year, the moms made pies and cookies for the seniors.

Wanamaker of Madonna Manor said many elders enjoy volunteering and wish they could do more.

She said the activity calls to mind holiday memories and can lead to rekindled friendships.

"So, we're counting our blessings here," she said.

Copyright © 2010 by the Catholic Health Association of the United States
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