Joy Gives Us Wings

Some folks rely on a certain caffeinated drink to give them wings and awaken them.  Red Bull has a great marketing scheme that has you believing that if you drink it you will have the ability to fly, or at least be revitalized and lively.

I know another way to feel as though you are soaring and it comes from within.  It's that wonderful feeling of joy and it is often brought by others and shared.  It is visible and it is measured by the smile on one's face or the glint in their eyes.  It can be contagious and it can be instant.  Joy has the ability to make someone stop slouching and sit up taller. It can be subtle and delayed but when it hits, the heart stops aching.

For those living with memory loss, life can be confusing and muddled. Grey matter in the brain has taken the place where some happy memories were sure to have been stored.  Joy can be infused on a daily basis by those people who visit and care for the elderly.  You can bring it by sharing your art work and then encouraging your loved one to colour or doodle.  You can bring it in the form of song. You can send it in a letter.

I have seen joy brought in the form of cookies. Chocolate Chip work really well!  Ice Cream Sundaes on a Friday afternoon brought a lot of joy to the residents of a care home where I visited.  The care aids went around with a trolley and offered ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream to their eager residents.

School groups and daycares bring a ton of palpable joy.  From the moment the children walk into an assisted living facility, an air of joy is felt.  Sure, there are some seniors who don't like the noise and perhaps have never been fond of kids but a kind handshake or a little hug is virtually guaranteed to lift a spirit or two.

There are some pretty amazing care aids in those care homes.  They work day in and day out on the front line. They are the first to say "Good Morning" to their residents.  They take the shame out of  some acts of personal hygiene and while most of us couldn't carry out the tasks that require a strong back (and stomach!) those angels maintain joyfulness.

I often wonder do they bring the joy to work with them or is the joy  found at their work? It's probably not found in the mundane tasks they carry out that causes the joy to well up. A lot of it is found from seeing the residents themselves. Some employees get up before dawn in order to get to their shift at the care home.  That can't be terribly joyful, can it?  Yet, they often let their light shine and they bring along with it dignity in a form of service unparalleled.

Thank you to all you joy bringers! You know who you are but I will name some of you anyway.  Health Care Workers  like Amanda, Sandy, Yasmin, Kim, Mary, Bev, Barb,Brenda, Carol, Lynn, Linda, Carl, Chris, Paul, Marie, Denny, Terry,Kristy, Kerry, Carrie, Colleen,Tricia, Joanie, Jessie, Stephanie, Janelle,  Lorraine (who I just recently met!) Addey, and on and on. Some of you are physiotherapists,social workers,cleaners, activity aids, and food preparation people who sometimes go out of your way to make someone smile.

Remember though, that economic cut-backs are resulting in the slimming down of many branches of health care.  Staff can only be spread so thin. If your senior is still needing a little bit more personal human contact and you have the funds, consider hiring a Paid Companion. They are a great way to bring some joy around on a regular basis. Ask at your local care home or check seniors directories, for recommendations of reliable and joyful people to visit your loved one. Not only do we companions like pushing people around for a living (of course I mean in a wheelchair!) most of us have patience and joy in abundant supply. A big thanks to those who I have had the pleasure of associating with,and who make their money in this field. Kudos to Kristina, Cathy, Michele, Solange, Alex, Louisa, and Della, to name a few.

The uplifting of a spirit is one of the soul purposes (pardon the pun) of the Spiritual Care Department.  Most facilities have resident or visiting clergy and volunteers who are trained and happy to bring a denominational or non-denominational brand of joy with them.  They have good listening ears, and as well can fit the needs of the patient by supplying books, CDs, and  information about worship services that they offer on a weekly or monthly basis.

And finally, to the regular volunteers and visitors who bring your pet-therapy dogs in for visits, your children, your art therapy, your choirs, your manicures, I thank you for sharing YOUR joy!

A little joy goes a long way. While a cup of coffee or a super caffeinated something or other from a can may give us the ability to soar, joy gives us wings and doesn't give us the jitters.