Monday, March 5, 2012

MY FRIEND

A real friend is one who walks in when everyone else walks out.                                                                                                                                                                              

Finally my computer is back in operation!  What I noticed the most about not having a computer was that I became a little lonely in the evening because I could not do a quick “check-in” with friends via the Internet. 

This started me thinking how it must feel to be in a long-term care facility without family and friends dropping in for a visit.  The facilities have plenty of activities and yes, there are residents and staff there, BUT there is not anyone interested in you only.  Betty Brewer’s Angels’ mission is to reduce the sense of isolation of residents in long-term care facilities who have no one to visit them by establishing a one-on-one relationship. That one-one-one is what sets Betty Brewer’s Angels apart from other visiting charities.

Betty Brewer’s Angels do not do what I call “hit and miss” visiting. Rather we purposefully chose a resident who has little or no visits from friends or family and then establish a friendship with that person by our weekly visits with only them. We are interested in them and their life.  I always know I have made a connection with a resident when they introduce me to others in the facility as “my friend.” Sweet words!

If you or someone you know would like to share one-hour of your life each week to establish a relationship with a person in a long-term care facility who has no one visiting with them, please contact me.