1. I volunteered my time at Windsor of Savoy in Savoy, Illinois. This is a nursing home along with an assisted living program. The specific place I was at was the Windsor Court, the assisted living home.
2. This activity reflected concepts learned in this course related to the elderly and disadvantage. While visiting this facility I was able to participate while some of the elderly exercised. This was led by a young facilitator who was excellent in interacting with the older adults. The lecture on elderly and disadvantaged talked quite a bit with how the elderly are treated in some nursing homes. The video we watched was horrifying to see how some older people are treated, specifically with Alzheimer's Disease. While volunteering at Windsor Court I was able to interact with several older adults with Alzheimer's disease. I noticed several similarities between lecture and volunteering. While we were making wreaths for their apartment doors the staff was playing music and several residents started singing along with the music. This volunteer experience also related to another FCS course, Aging and the Family. This course was directly related to the older population.
3. While I was volunteering I was able to connect with another young worker who also attends Eastern. We discussed our similar majors and what are plans are for once we graduate. Since she already has a part time job at Windsor of Savoy she said she plans on transferring into full time when she graduates. I also talked with the coordinator and discussed the different activities and options for the residents. They have services for multiple types of religions, exercise classes, and transportation so that the residents can go into the community. The administrator gave me her card and I was able to ask about different job opportunities available for a family service major such as myself.
4. Windsor of Savoy is run by Carle Hospital. Carle is in the top 10% of the country, so this nursing home and assisted living facility is an excellent option for older adults in the Champaign County area. Windsor of Savoy is an excellent alternative for the aging population when they themselves or their loved ones are no longer able to care for them.
5. I absolutely loved the time I spent at Windsor Court. I talked with an elderly lady named Neeva for almost an hour. While Neeva does have Alzheimer's Disease and much of the conversation was repeated, I loved listening to what she had to say. I originally asked her what she did for a career when the conversation first started. She told me that she went to the University of Iowa and got her masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago. Once I told her that I was also going into family services she lit up and started talking about some of her experiences and her years spent helping families. She told me over and over that it is a rewarding field that can be difficult at times but is worth it when you can see the progress made in children. She asked what I was planning on doing with my degree and when I told her that I am employed at Cunningham Children's Home she told me she did field work there many years ago. When I first saw Neeva I would have guessed she was in her mid 80's by the way she got around and talked. I came to find out later that she is 95 years old. It was wonderful to listen to her stories and hear about what it was like working then and comparing it to now. She asked me my name because she said “I know I’ll be seeing your picture in the paper for your work.” She made me feel great and she told me she was so happy I sat and visited with her. The thing I loved most about this volunteer experience was talking with this wonderful woman. I can only hope to still be talking about how wonderful it is to help people when I am 95 years old.
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