THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON!

There are several reasons that I am focusing on the WOW (Wellness on Wednesdays) Older Adult Ministry program at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Webster, New York: (1) The diversity of things that are going on each time the group meets, (2) The outreach dimensions of the program (to older adults in the community even if they are not members of Immanuel), (3) The frequency of the meetings (once a week), and (4) the important volunteer aspect of the helping hands and program leadership.

In today’ blog I want to highlight the diversity of things that are going on each time the group meets.  These include, check-ins with a nurse, exercises, an enjoyable program, lunch and fellowship.

Of the 55 to 60 people who attend each week:

 Parish Nurse: 50% of the participants check in with the parish nurse (who is a volunteer) each week for a blood pressure check and a conversation with the nurse as needed.  Marguerite Manning, the overall WOW coordinator, commented on how the nurse enjoys what she does.  “She just loves doing it. She feels that it is a way to give back for a lifetime of receiving support and help. “  (The eight or so volunteers in the kitchen also feel the same way about their volunteer work being an opportunity to give back what they have received!)  Barb Shortz mentioned, “The nurse who does the blood pressure spends extra time getting to know the new people. She is a wonderful ambassador of our program.”   

Note:  Isn’t it interesting that one observer says how much the nurse enjoys her volunteer work with WOW, and another says how much the people enjoy the nurse.  Talk about reciprocal goodness!

 Exercises: About 80% do some or all of the exercises.  (The exercise leader is also a volunteer).  The exercises are tailored to the audience and can be done in a chair.  Some just sit at their table and move their arms.  Whatever they do is OK.  Marie Sandman, a frequent participant in WOW said that she enjoys the diversity of the programs.  She commented, “[The exercises] get us active and relaxes us.  They get our joints moving.  Almost all of us join in but we are not forced to do it. Then we have a great speaker or other activity and we all join in this and then we have a wonderful lunch made by some of the group.”

Program and Lunch: About 95+% of the participants stay for the program and for lunch.  The interest in the entertainment/program of the week is as varied as the programs themselves, but the attendees pay attention.  Marguerite said, “I was thinking, too, about the variety of programs that are offered.  I know that one friend comes from a distance and picks and chooses the programs she enjoys - we print the program schedule about two months in advance and have it available for everyone).  Our programs try to meet many needs for information and entertainment as well as the story-swapping/get-to-know-you kind.”

   Note: in this Aging and the Church blog site, please scroll down and note on the far right hand side under the heading “Links to key sites” the “Immanuel Lutheran – WOW”  link.   Open it and you will find the listing of the current programs scheduled for the next four weeks or so.

Enthusiasm for helping: Interestingly, WOW really starts around 10:00 and goes until 12:30 or so, but at least three of the participants arrive at 9:15 to help out and put the silverware on the tables for lunch.  That task is important to them and they want to make sure that they get the chance to do that.  They also like the hugs from the kitchen crew.

This overall reflection by Marguerite sort of sums it up:

“I have been thinking about your comments about diversity as they apply to WOW!. and I think that is one aspect that is a very strong point in our program.  Not all who come participate in each segment of the program - some never get their blood pressure taken (while others never miss - and enjoy the time spent with our nurse!).  Some do not take part in the exercise, although even though they do not move to the exercise space, they DO move their arms and stretch at the tables where they sit.  Some never move to the center for the "story swapping" or programs (we shared stories about favorite quotes last week and it was amazing to hear how many collect quotes!!) but they do listen and participate quietly.  But ALL eat and enjoy the lunches, and ALL talk and visit with friends!!”

As always, you readers are encouraged to comment on something your read here, or perhaps you want to identify a program at your church that you think enables older adults to feel that they truly matter.  That would be great.

Bruce