By Lincoln June 7th, 2016
Before I went to the Stoneybrook Lodge, I checked some information online and learned that Stoneybrook Lodge is a company in the business of providing comfort, value and security to seniors. The pictures on their website show that the environment around the Lodge is very good. I hope those people who live there enjoy their lives. I prepared some questions about their living experience and some interesting stories they would like to share with us. I know seniors like sharing their experience and stories with young people, teaching us some theories from their past. To be honest, I wanted to ask some questions about the reasons why they choose to live in a senior apartment. In my opinion, living with their children or their families would be better than living alone in a senior apartment.
Taking place on May 17th, the Stoneybrook volunteering experience was really warmhearted. We met at the parking lot and Dr. Cate drove us to the Stoneybrook Lodge. The environment was the same as shown in the picture; there is a fountain and several parterres. After we walked into the lobby, several seniors were waiting for us and welcoming us. We were divided into three groups, and Marine and I were in the same group. Three seniors sat with us and shared their experience with us. One of the seniors named Tom asked Marine if she knew a doctor who lives in Thailand who is his friend’s son and who wrote a letter to him. Marine helped Tom to check online and make sure his friend’s son is still working in Thailand. That helped Tom to fulfill his wish.
Then we shared our experiences living in Corvallis and our lives in China and Thailand. Three seniors surprised me, that they all had been to China. They travelled to Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an and Guilin. Tom still feels the Li River and the Karst features are amazing natural landscapes. Some of the seniors have the problems of hearing, so I needed to be louder to make sure they could get my ideas. The manager of Stoneybrook told me some seniors have health problems such as Alzheimers, so we should be more patient in order to take care of them.
After our conversation, I feel that even though these seniors have some health problems, their hair became silver, and they have hearing problems, they are still positive and confident. They delivered much positive energy to us. Thanks to them and thanks for this good opportunity.
