It is that time of the year when the heat is on and summer is upon us and the kids want to go outside and play in the water, eat watermelon, and have ice cream. The parents are planning summer vacations for the family. Everyone is looking for fun and love this summer.
But what about those who are unable to get outside and play in the water or take vacations? I’m talking about the elderly, the ones that are in the nursing home. What can be done to make their summer this year as close to fun as it was when they were young? It can happen with volunteers.
Taking time to visit with residents in nursing homes can not only be beneficial for the resident but for the volunteers. Helping a resident relive a memorable summer, by just visiting can be very rewarding for the volunteer as well as the resident. Spending time with them, reminiscing with them, eating watermelon or ice cream with them, and/or going outside with them are things that a volunteer can do with the residents.
This summer make one of your plans to make this summer fun and filled with love for those in the nursing homes, by volunteering. Contact a nursing home to visit so you can bring joy to someone’s life and to yourself. If you need help to get started or would like to become an Ombudsman Volun- teer, contact the SODA Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman Supervisors Tiffany Wingfield at 580-775-7478 or Gina Smith at 580-775-7794 or Senior Info. Line at 1-800-211-2116 or write to them at P.O. Box 709 Durant, Ok. 74702. Training is scheduled for July 14-18, 2025, from 10am to 3pm each day. Call to attend the training. Ombudsman Supervisors are available to speak to your group or organization upon request.