Taking life to a new stage

• Source: Global Times
• [11:34 May 24 2010]
• Comments

"We encourage them to tell us their true stories by casually chatting with them and listening," said Wang.

"Once, I was impressed by a 93-year-old man living in Baoshan Road, Zhabei district. He had donated money regularly to a charity project for several years. Had we not spoken to him, his generous life would have remained unknown to the others," Wang told the Global Times.

Apart from the active social workers devoted to the single elderly residents in communities, there are also organizations that train social workers and volunteers to work in nursing homes.

Every day, Zhang Yanmei, an intern social worker from Qingyi Social Worker Center enjoys her work in a nursing home for 200 old people in Pudong district. There, she is the sole social worker. "I enjoy making them happy by organizing hobby groups," she said. As a versatile social worker, Zhang teaches the old people Tai Chi, calligraphy and riddle games.

However, managing the elderly can mean great challenges for things don't always run smoothly. Zhou Xiqian, another Qingyi social worker, admitted that some old people are hard to communicate with because of short tempers and stubborn attitudes.

Time plays a vital role in gaining trust from the elderly. Cheng remembers the first time she and her team members visited Hou's home and were asked to leave by an over-cautious Hou. After confirming their identities with the residential committee members, Hou evenutually welcomed them.

Cheng said that if there is an emergency involving the elderly, their children are informed first, followed by residential committee members, and finally the social workers. He believes the volunteers should be involved in the first stage itself.

"We are pleased to see the social workers but they cannot accompany us much of the time because they don't live nearby," said an old woman Li in Weifang Residential Areas.