This weekend my group and I visited the Best Friends Day Center, which was a spot of sunshine in the rainy week we had just endured. The participants were happy to see us and didn't seem to be allowing the weather to affect their moods. For the most part, the people who attend the Day Center are quick witted, entertaining, and happy people. This week, my group and I had the additional honor of meeting Virginia Bell, the founder of the first Best Friends Day Center right here in Lexington. Not only does she travel the world, but she participates in marathons as well. Age is not slowing down nor preventing this soon to be ninety-four year old woman from doing exactly what she wants to. Virginia Bell has created a safe haven for those suffering with dementia or Alzheimer's disease by creating an activity filled day with the purpose of exercising participants' minds.
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| The piano at Best Friends Day Center |
This weeks activities consisted of playing a game of hangman using famous cereals, such as cheerios and singing songs again. This time we had a pianist playing the songs for us. Most of the participants have strong voices and know the songs from memory. We were getting teased for needing to use the song books as we sang along. The song selection consisted of anything from classics such as You Are My Sunshine, to hymns, such as Amazing Grace. During this time I was sitting beside a woman who had an absolutely amazing voice. I was amazed that she knew all the words to any song that was picked and could harmonize beautifully and yet she was unable to find the correct pages in her song book. Of course she did not need the book to sing along, yet it fascinated and saddened me to see how the brain works and how dementia and Alzheimer's disease affect such a fundamental part of our brain. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her as well as some of the other residents.
I also had the honor of talking to a man in his mid nineties who had traveled all over the United States as a truck driver. He told me stories of long hours on the road and taking his wife to California as she had always wanted to do. the Day Center is filled with amazing people with amazing stories. The fact that we got to meet Virginia Bell, the woman who created such a beneficial care facility was truly an honor. While I'm impressed and pleased that there are Best Friends Day Centers all throughout the country, I firmly believe that there could never be too many. I once again enjoyed my time with the participants and look forward to returning and learning more about the Day Center.
Heartwarming reflection! It was like I could hear them singing the hymns as I was reading the post. What do you think will be the most valuable thing you take away from this experience? Do you think this will change your outlook on people affected by Alzheimer's? Do you think there should be more organizations like this?
ReplyDeleteMost of the people that attend are pretty high functioning, and I am amazed by how happy almost all of them are. They don't seem to let anything get them down even though I'm sure they have moments when they are confused or scared. I think this is the most valuable thing that I will take away, just the importance of being happy. I do think that there should be more organizations like this! Especially ones that focus on the younger generation that have Alzheimer's, they need somewhere to go that would be as beneficial to them as Best Friend's is to the older generation of people with the disease.
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