BIPX202 - Community Engagement
Added on 2020-04-15
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My work experience at Catholic Healthcare Bethlehem House at Kogarah.My name is Kathleen de Nava (S00228859), a first-year student studying a Bachelor ofCommerce at Australian University Catholic. I choose a Catholic Healthcare BethlehemHouse at Kogarah to pass the Community Engagement unit (BIPX202). Bethlehem House isnot like the other nursing home, it’s not a prominent place either their room. But what makesthis site unique is that everyone gets along and get to know each other quickly. I choose thiskind of industry to complete my Community Service in Nursing home is because I think I amgood at talking with people especially old people, I get along with them quickly. Also,because I felt that nursing home might need more help or the residence might need someoneto talk.1st day, 3 November we had a singing practice for Christmas song. This routine happensevery Friday 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm sometimes depends if they love to keep singing. My firstday in Bethlehem House, I felt a warm welcoming from everyone, the first person I get alongwas Frank, he’s the one who guided me and walks around the house. He showed me hisroom, where they grab a book or movies if they want to read/watch a movie, smoking area,etc. At 5:30 pm is their dinner time, I thought I’d help the kitchen staff to serve food toresidences, in that way I’ll get a chance to communicate with everyone and introduce myselfto them at the same time.2nd day, 10 November another singing practice for Christmas song. Everyone recognized mestraight away and asked how my day has been. I can feel that they were happy that I am theremeeting new people and communicate. The rest of the routine happened similar to the 1stday. Interacting with different people, asking if they would like some drinks and also helpingthem to stand up, moving chairs, etc.3rd day, 13 November I had a chance to meet new people staffs and residences. This day is amovie day which starts at 1:30 pm. This day was a big day, but I got a chance to know moreabout them and manage to talk to different residences. Frank was born in Germany andmoved to Australia when he was 1 or 2 years old, we mostly talked about the history likewhat happened before, and I find it interesting to listen to his story and learn new things.Also, Frank family primarily lives in California that’s why many relatives are not coming tovisit him. Then I met Nolla she is a very lovely and beautiful woman, she loved to talk aboutlove and other interesting story. Also, she loved to hold your hand while talking to you with abeautiful smile. Nolla has three sons some lives in Canberra that’s why they didn’t get achance to visit their mum much. Then I met Mr. Smart (forgot his name), he would say“Hello Kathleen, how are you today?”, He is very interested in my education, what I amstudying. We talked about his interest and what he used to study when he was young. Heused to study about Time which is Einstein’s Theory; He loves to look at the photos ofoutside the earth (galaxies, other planets). He’s the previous job was a journalist atNewspaper it was easy for him, and at the same time, he had a good time. He managed tohelp other people from the different country through sponsoring kids before.4th day, 15 November this day a party day! Someone came to sing a song; everyone washaving a great time listening to their favorite songs some are the songs they haven’t heard fora long time. Everyone is singing along while other staff and I are dancing around withMaracas and blowing some bubbles with residences.5th day, 16 November is another goodtime! It’s a Happy Hour, that finally some can have a beer, wine and soda’s. While drinking,we had a questions and answer game. One of the staff were going to ask some questions
While resident will raise their answer if it’s a, b, c ord. We all had a good time; the house wasloud because of everyone’s laughing. After the Happy Hour time elapsed, everyone is stillhaving a good time then, I noticed the lady who always sits at the back of the red chair. Iapproached her by asking “would you like something to drink?” and she replied “yes please, Iwould like to have some wine” so I did. When I gave her to drink, I started the conversationwith her by introducing myself and why I am at Bethlehem House. At first, she doesn’t wantto have any more conversation she said “nice to meet you, Kathleen, My name is Ann, youcan go back to what you were doing” so I said ok and if she wants to talk to anyone I'mhappy to come and talk to her. Then a few minutes later, I noticed her waving her hand to me,so I approached her again and wanted to have another wine, so I gave her another one, thenwhen I came back with her wine, we started talking. She opened up about her, she stayed atBethlehem House for 15 years, and that red chair where she is always sitting on is her spot.She opened up about her past, she married twice and both men (husbands) are abusive due tojealousy, and the other husband is because of jealousy and heavy drinker that he punched herin the face. After hearing Ann’s story, I couldn’t stop myself but hug her and said, “ You area charming woman, and you don’t deserve to be treated that way.” The lady told me that Idon’t have to feel sorry. The reason why she stayed at Bethlehem House for 15 years now isthat that’s the place she chooses to stay and all her kids are visiting her and call themwhenever she feels. After our conversation, I noticed that she started to walk around and sit toother chair and talk to other residence then I thought this kind of picture that I am seeing nowis better than seeing her sitting by herself, not talking to anyone and after meal or activity shewill just go to her room and stay there. Lastly, I noticed this guy I didn’t get a chance to knowwhat his name because of he can’t talk due to Tracheostomy that created a hole in his throat.But what I love about this man is, he is a very energetic and lovely person, the way to showthat "you’re doing a great job” is to smile at you, and thumbs up to both his hands or dancinga bit with thumb-ups at the same time. Thank you is demonstrated through grabbing of handsand kissing them.6th day 17 November is my last day as a work placement, today is a singing practice sameroutine as day 1 and 2. As I walk around, greeting anyone who I see, talk to them and dancingaround with residence even tho there is no music giving them a happy face. Philip came tome say it was nice to have me and see me around that bring joy to them and everyone agreedwith him. I was moved by his words. Then I thought, today is my last day of work placement,I can still come and visit them whenever I’m free.Being here in Bethlehem Home I did not expect to feel attached here. In fact, I thought Iwould never visit this place after my workplace, so I thought this site has a lot of beautifulpeople, and I get along with everyone. It is almost startling to think about how my experiencehere in a nursing home has changed me. I began talking to old people, discovered how Icould touch this people’s lives through this workplace. Also, I am motivated like never beforeto visit Bethlehem Home to sing, play music, play games and to talk with the residents.Finally, I marvel at how the community tied with the life purpose statement if such aseemingly daily visit to a nursing home could inspire such a journey of discovering not onlyto others but you as well.
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