Summary
Highlights
Jordan introduces 'Be Our Guest,' a day service for individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia, where she volunteers four days a week. She describes the daily activities, such as playing games like Bunco and Jeopardy, and listening to older country music which the guests enjoy. She emphasizes the loving environment created by the guests.
Jordan describes the guests as the most caring people she has ever met, full of different personalities. She notes that they've 'forgotten how to be mean,' always giving compliments and expressing gratitude. She shares a moving anecdote where a guest expressed his love for her and everyone in the program, highlighting their focus on kindness over trivial matters.
The program hosts larger monthly events, such as a petting zoo, which allowed Jordan to interact with the guests' families and caregivers, providing her with valuable insights into their lives and pasts beyond their daily habits with the program. She also mentions an 'Elvis Remembrance Week' which fostered a shared cultural experience.
Jordan discusses 'sittercise' and a staff member's powerful quote: 'We make abnormal people feel normal, even if it's just for a couple of hours.' This realization profoundly impacted Jordan, making her understand that she hadn't perceived the guests as 'sick.' She describes how remembering her name and purpose made her feel she was truly making an impact.
Jordan explains how the program helps remove the stigma associated with Alzheimer's and dementia, allowing guests to feel normal without their diagnosis or label. The kindness and memory shown by the guests to Jordan deeply impacted her, changing her worldview and demonstrating a two-way relationship where she felt both giving and receiving.
Jordan details her role, mainly playing games, preparing treats like root beer floats, and occasionally leading exercises. She realizes that her most significant contribution is her youthful energy, which allows her to be loud, make jokes, and entertain them. She feels she helps dismantle the stereotype of 'cranky old people,' showing genuine care.
Jordan highlights the 'feel good, do good' effect, where helping others leads to personal well-being, and feeling good makes one more inclined to help. She states that this cycle is evident in everyone involved in the program, from volunteers to staff. She encourages everyone to embrace this effect, not just through formal volunteering but also through simple acts of kindness.
Jordan concludes by reiterating the power of the 'feel good, do good' effect and encourages listeners to participate. Even small gestures like holding doors or having good conversations can be extremely valuable to the community. She urges people to "make an impact because that's what's going to last."