How to do Nursing Home Ministry
How to do Nursing Home Ministry
1.
Get your
volunteers together and decide what you want to do at the Nursing Home.
2.
Call the
Nursing Home and ask to speak to the Activity Director if they have one,
or someone else who could help you with what you want to do.
3.
Ask them
if they have a need for someone to come and do a Church Service, visit
with the residents, or do an activity with them like singing.
4.
Make
arrangements for the time, day, and frequency.
5.
If you go
during the day you will want to check in with the Activity Director and
let them know you are there. I usually see if there is someone who can
announce the service. I get them to do that and ask if the nurses can help
if needed (If we are short handed).
6.
I go get
the area ready before we start bringing people in.
7.
Play some
of the older hymns on a CD or whatever you have at a level they can hear,
but not too loud to keep them from talking if they want to. This will
allow them to have something to listen to while you go get the other
residents.
8.
Walk down
the halls and greet the residents. As you do this ask them if they want to
come to the activity you are doing. Some will come; some won’t, just
like they did when they were younger. Some just won’t come.
9.
If
someone is undecided tell them what you are going to be doing and
encourage them to come. This is all some of them need to get them to
participate. If they still say no go find someone else to ask, don’t
push the issue.
10.
Make sure
you tell them that you will take them down there and back to their room if
needed, otherwise some will not go. If they are not dressed, are in the
bed, or need to get into their wheelchair and need help, ask a nurse to do
this for them.
11.
If the
door is closed knock, if you can’t understand them open the door
slightly so that you can’t see in, but you can talk to them. Stick your
head in a door slightly if it is open and ask them to come. I go to every
door I can and ask them all.
12.
Roll them
to the area of the activity if they want you to, and talk to them along
the way.
13.
You have
to be careful with some of them; they might be very disruptive, so if you
want to bring them and see how they do, then try it. Some of them just
want a little personal attention and will calm down if you stay with them
and hold their hand or console them. Some of the residents, if you can’t
get them to calm down, you may just have to roll them out in the hallway
for the good of the others enjoying and getting something out of the
activity. I had to roll a woman out twice one time and even close the
door. I hated to do it, but I could not get her to calm down and she was
ruining it for everyone. In a case like that if a nurse is available, ask
them to help or roll them back to their room if you have enough people.
14.
When you
get them there if you have hymnals (it is better to have large print and
we have some you may can borrow with CD’s if it does not conflict with a
time we are having a service), help them turn the pages. If you plan on
singing, it is best to stick to the old hymns, Rock of Ages, Amazing
Grace, etc., as they will be able to sing even if they can’t see well
enough to read, and those are the songs they really like. I have a list if
you want of good ones to sing. It also helps to play them a little slower
so they can keep up.
15.
Most of
them really like it if you hold their hand, put your arm around them, or
pat them on the shoulder or back (be gentle).
16.
While
doing the activity look them in the eyes and smile at them a lot, in other
words give them a lot of personal attention. This really makes them happy.
17.
If you
can get there early or stay late after the activity, spend some one on one
time with them and talk with them. Most of the people are starved for
attention and will really brighten up if you pay personal attention to
them, before, during, or after the service.
18.
When I
finish the service I go around and shake their hand, pat them, or whatever
form of personal contact you feel comfortable with. While doing this I
thank them for letting us come and sometimes talk or pray with them.
19.
If you
come close to a mealtime you might sit with them while they are eating and
talk with them. I politely refuse anything offered.
20.
Make sure
you leave the place the way you found it. Put furniture, chairs, etc. back
where you found them.
21.
Leave and
thank anyone on staff you see on the way out who helped you. The best
thing is to thank them as they help you.
22. If you want to contact me I will be glad to go with you if I am able. You can reach me by calling (912) 398-0573.
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