Encourage, bring hope to, and hear the stories of seniors in long term care and homebound living situations by sharing the love and Word of Jesus Christ.
If you have questions about this passion area, please email or contact Anne Rand at 224-512-1240.
Senior Citizens and Nursing Homes Passion Area
The mission of this passion area is to encourage, bring hope to, and hear the stories of seniors in long term care and homebound living situations by sharing the love and Word of Jesus Christ.
Volunteers who serve in this passion area participate in nursing home Bible studies, church services, one-on-one visits and recreational activities. Share your musical gifts, arts and crafts skills, and even your pets! If you have specific questions or would like to speak with someone currently serving in this ministry, please email Anne at arand@willowcreek.org or call 224-512-1240.
To get connected with a serving opportunity, review the steps listed below:
Decide if you would like to visit independently or with a preexisting Willow team.
To connect with a team already serving at a senior care facility near you, click here. Interest areas are listed alphabetically under the “title” category. Scroll through to the list of “Senior Citizens and Nursing Homes” opportunities and select a team or event to sign up or get further specific information.
If you would like to serve independently, contact the facility where you are interested in serving and ask to speak to the activities director about their volunteer opportunities. See the attached sheet “Things You Can Do at Nursing Homes” for some ideas about activities that you do with residents.
Set a date, then go and enjoy your visit!
Let us know how it goes! Contact Sue White in Extension Ministries and share with us when and where you served and who you served with. This helps us to facilitate further volunteer opportunities and gives us a picture of what is God is doing in your serving area.
Activities To Do With Nursing Home Residents
1. Play a musical instrument.
2. Write letters for them.
3. Read letters to them.
4. Bring children or babies.
5. Do nails.
6. Comb hair. Hair Styling.
7. Do makeup.
8. Help with arts and crafts.
9. Make transparencies to hang in or on a window.
10. Share your vacation pictures. Bring in family photo albums.
Consider This When Visiting Nursing Homes…
1. Don’t barge into a room. Consider yourself a guest. Softly rap on the door and ask permission to enter.
2. Always knock and wait for an invitation before opening anyone’s closed door.
3. Respect closed curtains.
4. Always move slowly and speak softly at first to avoid startling the residents. If they’re hard of hearing, they’ll let you know that.
5. Try to note and remember the names of your new acquaintances.
6. Typical greetings may be… “Hello, may I come in?” or “Hello, my name is _____________.”
7. Another opener might convey your reason for being there: “I was here visiting and wondered if I could meet you?”
8. Avoid the traditional American greeting, “Hi! How are you today?” This often opens Pandora’s box!
9. Smile! Be cheerful!
10. Try to compliment them on something attractive about them or their “home”.
Extension - Senior Citizens and Nursing Homes