Nothing really matters in life as much as the people who enter it. We never really know the impact we can have on?another?s life or the sheer footprint someone could leave on our own journey.
Last week while doing the Eden Associate Class at Pickett, I visited the home and was greeted by the sweet hug of one of the precious Elders who live there. This lady hadn?t seen me for several months and had declined in health in many different ways. Although, it was as if I was still there working every day when she reached up to hug me. She recognized me. During times past in our relationship, she would pat my belly and always tell me how fat I was getting since changing jobs. Even though her health has declined to the point in which she can?t speak any longer, she still patted my belly and gave me that knowing smile. Just like always.
I have thought a lot about this moment over the past week or so. My friendship with this lady was so strong that the memory of it?remained even when many of her other memories have long faded.? For me, the joy of our playful banter made my day complete.
Many people ask me how to start on their journey to culture change.?We sometimes can ?make it so complicated when it is really so simple. My advice is to start building relationships. Relationships are the meat of culture change. Without it, there is no movement forward.
Consider this, we can have the most beautiful homes for our Elders to live in but without the promise of relationship, it is still the institutional model with only a shell that houses our environmental changes.? When we commit to building and nurturing relationships then we can see the winds of change begin to blow.
My grandmother loved living at Pickett Care and Rehab. Not because of any reason but the fact that they listened to her, loved her, and most importantly became her friend. Those friendships made the last months of her life worth living.
Relationships = Culture Change! Everything changes when I have a relationship with someone. The way I see them is suddenly different and my desire to protect, love, and nurture them becomes even more insistent!!
The joy that my Elder friends bring to my life is immeasurable. The footprint they leave on me is what continues to push me to radically change the culture of the nursing home industry.
So remember that relationship building is the key that unlocks the door of culture change for you! The relationships that Elders have with each other, with the stakeholders, with plants, animals, children, and with the community at large are the building blocks towards the Human Habitat.?As we have learned from the Eden Alternative, everyone deserves relationship with another living creature!
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