Aging in America- Our Heritage of Wisdom
a series of thirty-six pencil drawings by artist jim branscum

 

Essie spent her life in the East Texas town of Marshall.  "I had four children and raised them in a good Christian home," she states to begin her life's story.  She says she survived the hardships of living through the depression and the hardships that life brings to all and reached the age of 82 because of prayer.  Using an euphemism of one in a health care setting,  Essie states with confidence and a punctuating nod,  "Prayer,  you know,  is "help chords" to call God."  She tells me that her needs are few in life, "A clean environment,   mind and body,  and good food is all I ever needed and God provides them all to me.  I thank him everyday."  She credits God with providing the care she receives at the Marshall Manor Nursing Home.

A stroke left her partially paralyzed on the left side which limits her movements,  yet she still finds joy in the simpler things in life.  She partakes in the many activities provided to the residents by the facility.  When there is a field trip,  she reminds the activities director,  Alana Butler,   "Don't forget me,  I want to see God's creations."  Essie also takes advantage of the many opportunities for the residents to practice their faith with ministers and church groups of various faiths who are encouraged to hold religious services at the facility.  "Faith,"  Alana states,  "is a major part of the residents' lives."

Essie talks freely about her feelings toward the staff at Marshall Manor focusing on Alana Butler.  The comments were so favorable that I asked Alana to make some time available to discuss her work with elder residents. Alana agreed and explained her approach to the residents with stimulating events to brighten their daily lives.

"One of my most important tasks is to educate people about the residents need to maintain contact with the community,  especially young people."  Residents without families are a priority in Alana's efforts.  She instituted an "Adopt a Grandparent" program to bring residents and young people together in one-to-one visits.  "The young people sometimes have to learn not to be afraid of older people.  Once they get passed their fear,  relationships begin to grow and the youths learn about the historical contributions of the residents.   They also begin to realize the residents,  although old,  are people with feelings and needs that deserve consideration"  Alana also oversees many other activities to provide mental and physical stimulation to the residents.  She summed up her work with the elderly by saying that her main priority is to teach the residents that their chronological age is not as important as the psychological age that they feel.   "It's not how old you are,  but how old you feel,"   Alana stated to conclude our visit.

Essie Smith's relationship with Alana emphasizes that each worker in a nursing home is important to the overall comfort and quality of life of the home's residents.  I agree with Essie's assessment that those who provide the care to our aging citizens like Alana Butler are "jewels in the crown of life."   "This,"  Essie added,  "is all I ever wanted to be as I lived my life-- a jewel in the crown of life God gave to me." 

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