The Bethlen Home Messenger, 1992-1993 (1-4. szám)
1993-09-01 / 4. szám
f YOUTH CONFERENCE On August 11th, the Bethlen Home listed the participants of the Youth Conference of the Hungarian Reformed Churches and Calvin Synod Conference, United Church of Christ. The youth were camping on the campground of Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Mount Pleasant, PA, and from there they came visiting our nursing home. Our elderly residents were entertained by songs and hymns performed in the hallways. It was an afternoon of great weather and a lot of fun. The least fun was maybe for Esther, Laci and Arpi, whose cheeks were red from the heat and eyes and hair were full with smoke while preparing the endless hamburgers and wickers. The visiting young people were kind and lovely, visibly enjoying the outing. It is always brings a smile to our people’s faces when young folks visit us. We love them for it!! The Dining Room is in the process of being redecorated, and it will be ready only by Christmas. Until then we can function within as usual. The painting job will be done by Dorothy. The floors will be stripped by Louis Szep, who don’t save his energy to scrape the floors on his knees to remove all the deposits of old wax accumulated during many years. His work is commendable and his result is amazing. When the PA State Supervisors visited us, they asked him what is he doing in the corner on his knees with his little sweeper by his side. Then he answered that he is freeing the floors of old dried-on wax, because we like a very clean nursing home. They could not believe that such a dedicated worker is still existing. We really appreciate the tedious job that he has done in our nursing home. PINE TREE BUSINESS So far, we received only four donations for replacing our dying pine trees, thus we are planning to go forth at least with the four most urgent replacements. The plans are to dedicate these during the Labor Day week’s festivities in the Bethlen Home. We requested only $50 for each tree. Eventually this amount would not cover the removals of the old trees, but gives us a start in the right direction. Each donated tree will be dedicated to the designated loved one. I could not think of a nicer remembrance than a pine tree. Thank you for your cooperation! QUALITY LIFE Some time ago during a Cottage Resident’s Tea Party, we discussed what does it mean to each of us to have “quality life”. Everybody injected some thoughts, that they felt were important and needed for us. I compiled this list. It is certainly not complete, and you could add many more things. Please, help us to fill the gaps with your ideas, tell us your point of view. These are what we gathered so far. 1. The best possible physical condition with the minimal discomfort and pain. 2. Being able to move our body freely. 3. Decision making in individual or in group setting. 4. Receive kindness and cheerfulness and freely return such. 5. Empathy and sympathy. 6. Supportive, constructive attitude to receive and to give in interaction with people. 7. Peaceful, quiet, private surroundings. 8. Friendship. 9. Freedom of participating in group activities and opportunities for such. 10. Security. 11. Spiritual sustain and care, the freedom to exercise beliefs. ABOUT CONSTANT COMPLAINERS Every nursing home has a few Constant Complainers. We just want to tell them that we understand them. Complaining is a verbal release of tension. It is an outlet for some frustration with life and maybe complaints against aging. Their complaining is like a recognition of failing in body and often in mind. The pep and vigor is slowly getting lost and the decisions about our own life become too difficult or impossible. The adjustment to the nursing home’s life is requiring big efforts and such change is especially hard in older age, since, as we grow older, we cling stronger to our already existing ideas. In addition, the society expects aged adults to behave a certain way. When a toddler or a teen has a temper, it is acceptable and sometimes cute, but an aged person should always behave with dignity. We understand that it is not easy to be old. Aches and pains are often depressing, in addition to the psychological side of aging. We try to cater and help even the most difficult residents with us, and pray for enough patience and smiles.
