Most seniors who enter a nursing home have suffered much loss - often their possessions, health, income, friends
and spouses. Socially isolated and disconnected from their past, they can lose even their personal identity.
No wonder, says Dr. Leslie Grant, that elders in many nursing homes just sit staring at one another without talking.
Not so at the lively Sunday Afternoon News Club meeting.
Each Sunday for the last three years, Dr. Grant has volunteered at the Lyngblomsten Service House, helping elders regain
a sense of themselves by prompting them to talk.
"He comes in and reads the newspaper to the residents," says Janet Hagfors, former Service House Coordinator. "They
like to editorialize and reminisce... they have gotten quite connected."
The news hour gives the elders an opportunity to talk about themselves and their experiences, says Dr. Grant. "It
gives meaning to their lives, and I try to tap into their wisdom about things. It can be a lot of fun."
He began volunteering as an informal means of observing and collecting information for his research project, but he has
continued well after the data was collected.
"I found that once you start volunteering you develop friendships with the residents... so I can't just say 'I've got to
stop now'."
