Non‑Discrimination Policy
Meaningful Opportunities Flower for Valentine's Day
Posted February 15, 2013
When resident Thomas Hubble wanted to know when Valentine’s Day was, care partner Teresa Lopes knew he had a reason for asking. Mr. Hubble wanted to get a Valentine’s Day present for his wife Millie. He did not think it would be possible because he couldn’t go shopping before February 14th.
Activities staff decided to help Mr. Hubble create his own present. Care partner Jodi Horton gathered craft supplies and they created a beautiful bouquet of fabric flowers and ribbons. Mr. Hubble dictated a note to be written to his wife. The note was written on a heart and attached to the bouquet. It was meaningful for Mr. Hubble to create a present himself to give to his wife. The staff helped him find a solution that he could carry out using his own creativity.
This story illustrates Eden Alternative Principle 4: An Elder-centered community creates opportunity to give as well as receive care, which is the antidote to helplessness, and Principle 6: Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health.