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Sociable seniors A cuddle a day may keep the doctor away. And if hugs are not an option, snuggling a pet may be the next best thing.
Visits with animals and children
at the Golden Age Day Care Center
help combat lonelinessBy Nancy Arcayna
narcayna@starbulletin.comThe problem of loneliness is especially acute among senior citizens who may have lost a loved one or who may feel isolated due to lack of mobility.
Ariel York was discussing the dilemma with some nurse friends when they came up with the idea of forming a "Golden Age" club for senior citizens. Growing old does not mean that life needs to be less interesting, they agreed. Their dream is to create a small business with a big heart.
"Many seniors simply grow depressed because they miss socializing," said Joanne Bottomley, one of the registered nurses that helped to establish the center at Unity Church. "We want to make their lives interesting and fun."
The center hosts an array of activities to keep seniors vital and mentally stimulated. Pets, plants and preschoolers are brought into the equation to promote wellness.
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Animals provide companionship and compassion to ease feelings of loneliness. They have an endless capacity for acceptance, devotion and attention.The center's pet menagerie includes a parakeet, cockatiel, small parrot, a Jackson chameleon and a chinchilla. "We also encourage dogs and cats in the neighborhood (along with their owners) to visit the center," said York.
The visits give seniors the ability to experience the joys of pets without the responsibility of caring for them.
"Pets are very therapeutic for seniors. The unconditional love received from pets helps elevate moods," added York.
The Hawaiian Humane Society started a pet visitation program in March 1981. Volunteers bring their own pets to hospitals, nursing homes, adult day-care centers and hospice facilities. Animals often entertain or are a pleasant distraction from pain that seniors may be experiencing.
Animals can have positive physical and emotional effects on people, according to Marty Hutchins, Outreach Programs Coordinator at the Hawaiian Humane Society. She said some who have not spoken for a long time will suddenly speak after interacting with animals.
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When an older person's spouse dies, a pet may be the only living being the can touch. The intimacy is important."Their faces light up when they see the animals," Hutchins said. "Even watching a fish in an aquarium relieves stress and lowers blood pressure. Stroking an animal provides the same effects."
THE GOLDEN AGE club also provides an option for caregivers that may need a break from caring for an elderly individual.
"We accommodate baby boomers who have folks that need supervision during the day," said Maria Schlemmer, a certified nursing aide at the center, which offers casual, homey ambience, rather than an institutional environment.
"Nursing homes are depressing -- we didn't want to go that route," Schlemmer said. "We want to get people out of their homes where they are isolated. They don't want to lose their independence."
York added, "We don't use those boring long tables that are normally seen at senior day care centers. We use round tables because they are more intimate."
The seniors also get to tend to their own plants in "trying to get them to do stuff with their hands," said York.
At the Unity Church site, seniors also can interact with preschoolers in day care. "This gives them a chance to play with young children if their grandchildren have moved away," said York.
"Children and elderly folks have so much to offer each other," said Bottomley.
Other visitors are also a part of the agenda, including woodworkers who may stop by with instruction on how to create a birdhouse, horticulturists to help budding green thumbs and musicians to entertain the group.
Other activities include exercise classes, arts and crafts and discussions on current events.
And we mustn't forget bingo. Pets, plants and preschoolers can't replace that kind of excitement.
The Golden Age Day Care Center is at Unity Church.
Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Call 737-9336.
Click for online
calendars and events.
