Ascension 4-H'ers Serve the Elderly
Ascension Parish 4-H Junior Leaders assisted the elderly with their service-learning project.
The goal of the service-learning was for our teen leaders to have a better understanding of geriatrics and the importance of service work. The 4-H'ers worked closely with guest speakers within the community to speak on topics such as Alzheimer’s disease and aging. Adult leaders worked with 4-H'ers to coordinate service-learning activities.
When assessing the needs of the elderly people, the Junior Leaders visited with them and were able to understand the amount of knowledge and experience the residents have gained throughout their lives. The youth contacted the local nursing homes and families to see if any services could be provided or any items donated to help the community. Planning was done by open discussions at meetings and a great deal of brainstorming and constructing a plan of action.
Working in the nursing homes allowed the 4-H Junior Leaders to see how valuable their time spent was to the elderly. At the nursing home facility, the 4-H'ers played bingo, visited and got to know the residents. Throughout the year, several small socials were held; there was a trip to Celebration Station and to bowling.
Reflections were performed after the visits with the elderly; they were done by open discussion and various reflection games and activities. The project lasted 20 hours and served 25 people.
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