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Photo from the Web. PPs - Paper Studio, Stamping Station, misc brads.
Journal: It is difficult to define what CARE is – a place for retired escapees; a place to recover after an operation; a place for a caregiver and their partner to rest…all of these things and more. All residents remain in their own RVs while receiving laundry and housekeeping services, 3 meals a day at the Center, and driving services. While many of the residents stay year round at the Center, others leave for RV trips and other vacations.
We arrived at the Center for the volunteer meeting at 8 am on Thursday 9/28. We were able to meet all the volunteers from September and several that will be with us in October. We will work in teams of 2- Dennis & I are one team. Others are – Mimi & Dennis (staying until mid-Oct), Sue & Dave, Diana & Lee and a team of singles – Kathryn & Sarah. I am nervous about the on-call days –we are told they are long but not hard. Tomorrow we will be shadowing Debbie & Chuck for an on-call day starting at 7 am!
The start of the day begins when the previous day team turns over the log book and keys to the current day team. This is Friday – the big breakfast day where not just residents but others can come for breakfast for a fee. Eggs, toast/bagels, sausage included – note eggs are not offered on any other day. I sit with Debbie at the door where we check in residents (and ask what their meal plans are for the rest of the day) and visitors, take payment, and answer phones. Other volunteer teams would be on driving duty or helping out with to do lists.
After breakfast we check our list and call those residents that did not come for breakfast. We need to get a head count for lunch and dinner to turn into the kitchen by 10 am so that they know approximately how many to expect. We clean up after every meal – vacuum, wipe down tables and chairs, wrap silverware and may get a break before lunch; same in the afternoon and after dinner. We can leave by 7 pm but have to be back by 9 pm to lock up the facility and transfer the Center phone to our phone so that we receive any calls that come in. We must keep our phone near us during the night and be ready to answer any emergencies that occur. I was always afraid that we would get a medical emergency call –requiring ambulance and medical records but that never happened to us. We had to note in the log book any calls that came in. The next morning we hand responsibility over to the next team.
The on-call days were exhausting – they weren’t hard but you were at the Center for 12 hours. Some of the driving days for me were busy. I was the only one they put on the insurance so Dennis couldn’t drive. I was not comfortable driving long distances or at night. When I did drive it was around town and could get hectic. I don’t know if I can do 2 months in a row. Dennis signs us up for next June and next Oct and Nov- not sure how that will work.
The month was exhausting but rewarding! The best thing about it – the residents themselves!
Thanks for spreading positivity!
March 22, 2020
March 21, 2020
March 20, 2020
March 20, 2020
March 20, 2020
March 20, 2020
March 20, 2020
March 19, 2020
March 19, 2020
March 19, 2020
March 19, 2020