Forum Discussion

First of all Christopher I want to thank you for volunteering
There are many ideas and golden Carers
https://www.goldencarers.com/20-activities-for-the-visually-impaired/4205/
Most important is find out what the resident wants to do that he is capable of doing
When you find that out I will have more suggestions
Thank you again I am sure you’re making this person’s life better no matter what you do

Hi Christopher, have you tried interactive Read Aloud short stories? Here is the link. https://www.goldencarers.com/read-aloud-audience-participation-story/4860/
Also, you could set up a Pet Visiting Program in your facility. Here are more links that may be of use to you.
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-start-a-read-aloud-program-for-seniors/6388/
Https://www.goldencarers.com/read-aloud-activities-for-the-elderly/4858/

Thank you so much for your kind words, Susan. I will come to the Forum when I have more info to share.

Hello Christopher, l on l activity 12th June 2020

Hello, my name is Gwyneth, and I am Welsh, living NSW and I joined Golden Carers beginning of the year, it is a really good helpful website. I am a volunteer, have been for over 30 years, 30 wonderful years. Your letter brought many memories back to me of when I started volunteering at a Vision Impaired Centre, over 23 years now, and still doing it in my late 80's. I am a hands on Volunteer Social Co-ordinator who works out the programme of activities for the whole year. We are a group of 35 vision impaired clients, 3 of them totally blind, one has a guide dog, two of them uses canes, others very low vision, they will try anything, they are out to enjoy themselves , and we try out best to do just that. By volunteering your services you are halfway there, because you want to do it, and that's a must. Just be yourself and be relaxed with him. Through being with him and chatting to him you will ind out his likes and dislikes (on anything) We have a 1 on 1 at times with some of our clients, especially when they are new arrivals. We try to find out do they like listening to the radio, especially the news, some of ours like to keep up to date with what is going on in the world. What music they like classic, jazz, or old time, did they play an instrument, do they like singing, etc. There are talking books you can get from the Library. Ours love to play dominoes, suitable for the blind you can buy in shops. Some play cards, large print. Assistance is given when needed. Taking him out to the coffee shop would be nice, over a cup of coffee it's surprising how relaxed they are and give quite a lot away of themselves. There are lots more you will find out, and I know you will, you have a friendly face. When we take them out, we are careful of how they like to be held, with ours the one with the dog is independent, but will ask for help if he needs it, the other one likes you putting your right arm under his left arm and walking like that, and the other one likes walking with your left arm under his right arm, a simple thing to find out but it is for the best no one gets upset. When you find out all about him, you will be good friends, someone he will feel comfortable with, it is wonderful what you are doing. All the best Gwyneth

Thank you again Gwyneth
You have shared some valuable information with all of us especially with Christopher
Volunteers are relied upon for many reasons
Thank you both for all you do

That's great, thanks for letting me know.