BRATTLEBORO — “Just because someone is old doesn't mean their life is over,” said Carolyn Garland, a nurse who accompanied residents of Thompson House to York Beach in Maine in late August. “I wish there was a Make a Wish foundation for older people. Some of them get stuck in their homes and just don't get out as they age, especially when they live alone.”
Sandy Ware, activities director at Thompson House, couldn't agree more. That's one of the many reasons why she coordinated an outing to York for the residents at Thompson House.
“Every day in our lives, no matter our age, can't possibly be magical, but I tell you, on this day, there was magic in the air,” said Ware. “For this one special day, we were taking a trip to the ocean. They weren't residents of a nursing home; they were just going on a road trip, hanging out together. We were smiling and laughing and having a ball.”
Dane Rank, a licensed administrator for Thompson House was also along for ride. In fact, he drove the van that Thompson House recently purchased, to Maine for the day.
“Between the government, businesses, local sponsors, individual donors and the help of our Board of Trustees, we raised about $50,000 to purchase the van,” said Rank. “The community spirit that showed for our residents was certainly heartwarming. Little kids gave spare change so that their grandparent could get out into the world, so many people gave. I'm still amazed thinking about it. And to get to be the person who had the pleasure of driving these folks to the ocean, well, that just made it that much more special.”
According to Ware, this was the second voyage for the group in the new van. The first was to the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut, back in July.
“It was a day trip, we had lunch there, and we got back by supper time. One of the residents won $20 on the penny machines,” she said, with a smile.
Rank added, “One of the residents who made that trip has since passed. The reason I got into this business was to improve people's lives. I'm so happy that the resident who is no longer with us got the opportunity to pull that slot machine one more time. If life is no longer fun, why would you want to stick around?” he asks, as he glances out the window, clearly moved by the memory.
The mechanics of the trip to Maine went like clockwork. Ware had the plan.
“We left at 8:30 a.m., and loaded up the van. Now we can take four people in wheelchairs and 10 additional people, including staff. We had lunch at the Weathervane in Concord, then drove on to York Beach and had the chance to visit the Nubble Light Lighthouse. From there we headed out for Brown's Ice Cream, a real highlight of the trip. It was late August and it was 93 degrees at the beach,” said Ware. “We were all just little kids enjoying ice cream.”
As the van rolled along the residents kept cool inside. The van features a fine air conditioning system and also has a DVD player. One of the residents shared a personal highlight for him, “We watched Bonanza on our way there,” Rank said. “The trip was a real hoot.”
Ware and Garland are old hands at travel with the elderly.
“We worked together way back in the 1980s at Linden Lodge,” remembers Garland, “and we took the residents to Maine then too. A lot of people think that going into a nursing home marks the end of someone's life. That is not true, and it never should be true. Sandy is wonderful about dreaming up great ideas. She's very enthusiastic about life. Who, at any age, doesn't like to get out and eat a little ice cream and see the world?”
“We had one resident who suffers horribly with depression. To see their face light up that day, well, it made my day,” Garland adds. “Living an everyday life, getting out into the community is so incredibly important.”
The van has large windows to allow the passengers to watch the world go by, each seat has its own reading light, and there is a loudspeaker so that anyone on the trip can give a narration as they travel along.
“Dick Guthrie is a great narrator when we take weekly trips out into the community,” said Rank, “Sometimes Dick drives and we visit sugarhouses, farms, chickens. Our residents like a good trip out in the country on the rocky back roads.”
What was the most striking part of the trip for him?
“It was the joy factor,” Rank said. “We were at a restaurant and I watched two people sitting down enjoying their whole belly calms. He had a beer, she had a coke, and it was just normal, everyday life, happy and relaxed. Most of the time, my workday has me in a different setting. It was wonderful to get a glimpse of the everyday part of our resident's lives.”
“People tend to isolate when they get older, and sometimes families are sad when their loved one come into the nursing home,” Rank continued. “But often great things happen. Where people might have been living alone in a more isolated way, when they come to live at Thompson House, they have the opportunity to socialize again. Sandy is attentive to the good times; the fun, laughter companionship and activities. It's so important.”
As for the residents, they had a lot to say about the day.
“It brought back memories of years gone by.”
“The sights, the food, the laughter, it was fantastic.”
“I ate too much, but everything was so good.”
And for Ware, it's never just another day at work.
“When I go on trips like that, I feel like I'm just hanging out with my friends. I love my job.”