Nana Project Journals
*Editor’s Note: Names of residents have been changed in respect of their privacy.
Entry 1
Ms. Tammy is very independent for a 102-year-old woman. She does her own laundry,
gets her own mail and can move around easily on her own. She’s a delight and there is
never a dull conversation. At 102, she has plenty of stories to tell. She speaks of her
family most often, especially her great admiration for her parents. She goes on about her
father’s handsome stature and generosity in the community, especially his breakthrough
work as a cardiologist. I love when she talks about him because I can see how proud she
is to be his daughter and to pass on his legacy. Her mother was her backbone through the
early deaths of her father and brother. She would remind her daughter that dwelling on
the sad times in life prevents you from embracing the good times.
I always ask what her secret her is to living so long with so much energy. She always
tells me, “Never smoke and always smile, never put your troubles and sadness on
someone else and if you only show happiness and kindness, people will return the favor.”
It’s made her life easier and more enjoyable.
Entry 2
Ms. Walsh is 93 years old. She was a nurse in World War II and her husband was a pilot
in the U.S. Air Force. My favorite story she tells is one about her and her husband
attending the Air Force Ball. That night, her husband snuck her off from the party to fly
her in one of the jets. She said it was so beautiful to fly under the midnight sky. When
they returned, his general was waiting for them at the landing site. She said he looked at
them and said, “I didn’t see anything.”
It’s stories like these that make me so fascinated every time I visit with the elderly. It’s
about the things they have seen, the heartache they’ve felt and the great joy they’ve
experienced combined into one conversation that make it all worth it to me.
Entry 3
One of the things I hear the most from the residents I visit with is, “I wish my
grandchildren visited me like this. I just enjoy talking to young people.”
Ms. Carol loves asking what’s going on in my life, and we compare how life is different.
Although it seems dull to me, a lot of the ladies enjoy the gossip of my social life. Others
enjoy me simply sitting next to them while we clap along to some good music. Every
time I leave, at least three people have grabbed my arm and given me this look with a
twinkle in their eyes and a big smile on their face and say, “I enjoy your visits so much.”
Entry 4
When I heard about the Nana Project, I joined without hesitation. I am very comfortable
with the geriatric population. The Nana Project has spawned the happiness effect; every
time I leave the project, I feel like a happier, better person. The residents at the Nana
Project just know how to put you in a good mood. Oh, and the things that these women
and men come up with.
The project has affected me in numerous ways. I have learned how to incorporate things I
learned in class to how I interact with the ladies. When we play Bingo, not only are we
playing a fun, interactive game, I am secretly working on auditory comprehension,
attention, concentration and short-term memory.
The Nana Project has assisted me in creating job skills and increasing my social skills
with the geriatric population. Most importantly, I have made new friends throughout the
process. I cannot go to the Nana Project without stopping by and visiting with several
ladies and asking how their day was. Yes, some days are stressful – when resident A,
who is struggling with Alzheimer’s, keeps asking where her husband is. Those days are
overshadowed when Ms. Elaine completes a puzzle she has been working on for months
or when Ms. Lucy dances to her favorite song. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Entry 5
When I heard about the Nana Project, I decided to give it a try since all of my previous
experience has been in pediatrics. I wanted to try my hand at working with the geriatric
population and this was the perfect opportunity.
I absolutely loved my first day of training. After speaking with Nana, I knew I would
gain a lot from this volunteer experience. Nana reminded me of my grandmother, with
her knowledge of Cajun-French. We all have a great time visiting before the Christmas
holiday.
On my first day at St. James, a few of us cut and arranged flowers with the sweetest
woman, named Ms. Walsh. We were enthralled by her stories about being a nurse in
World War II. Even though we had moved locations since Nana’s passing, we were
having an amazing time. I continued weekly for the remainder of the spring semester, and
all throughout the summer.
No matter what kind of day I was having, after visiting St. James I was always at ease
and in a great mood. The residents’ cheeriness is infectious. Throughout my time here, I
have been able to help orient the residents, listen to old records, dance, arrange flowers,
play Bingo and just simply visit on the porch.
One of the residents I have connected with the most is Mrs. Robbie. Cori introduced me
to her after I offered to pray the Rosary with some residents if they were interested. When
I first visited her room, she insisted on making me coffee so that we could visit and then
pray. Needless to say, I stayed for over an hour just visiting with her and left volunteering
later than everyone else that day. Mrs. Robbie and I immediately hit it off.
I noticed that one of Mrs. Robbie’s rosaries was a special St. Theresa rosary. So, before
we began to pray, I mentioned to her that my confirmation name was St. Theresa. I never
got a response from her, but thought nothing of it, so we began the rosary. After we
finished and visited awhile, she put the rosary in my hand and said, “Remember, God
loves you.” I barely knew this woman and yet she connected with me so deeply. I was
able to help her through some days when she wasn’t feeling well by simply doing
something she loved – praying the rosary. I continue to visit with her weekly and she
always seems to brighten my day.
It amazes me how much I have learned in volunteering with the Nana Project. I have
thoroughly enjoyed every minute I have spent with the residents. They constantly thank
us for spending time with them, but it is us who should be thanking them. They have shed
so much light on how life used to be as well as giving us some great advice.
In terms of communication disorders, I have learned how to speak to people with mild to
sever hearing losses as well as those with various forms of dementia and aphasia.
I’m so thankful for my time with the Nana Project and can’t wait to see what this year has
in store for us.