Monday, November 1, 2010

Soapbox moment re:Retirement Home Halloween

I have to share this link with you: http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2010/11/small-town-halloween/ .
If you haven't discovered the Pioneer Woman's blog yet, you are in for a treat. Her "true-life-novelette," called "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" is reason enough, as are her photographs chronicling her everyday life raising a family on a cattle ranch. And then there is her cookery and homeschooling ideas.

But in her posting about Halloween this year, she made me think about something new: Halloween in a retirement home.
Her small town's retirement home opened its doors to trick-or-treaters. Go to the posting and look at the photos, please.
Why doesn't every retirement home do this? I loved the idea, and the smiles on the residents' faces tell the value of the it.

All right, I'm stepping off of my soapbox right now.

11 comments:

A.Smith said...

Because they probably have stern and cold administrators who promptly will bring up "insurance" and "lawsuits" if someone gets hurt or falls or whatever else negative they could think of to stop it from happening it.

When I used to volunteer here one of the things that never ceased to amaze me was the ability of the suits to come up with the most incredible scenarios to stop anything new or outside their scope of control. I guess there is a reason why those in charge of the money are called comptrollers, isn't? I am with you, children and pets are the best medicine for anything that ails you.

Looking forward to seeing you and Gregg in a couple of weeks. Hugs from here.

Pam said...

I love it. Sounds like they had a blast. Loved the looks on all those faces too. Just precious. Small town life really is something of another era. Sigh... : )

Elizabeth said...

Is there anything that Pioneer Woman can't do?

Clippy Mat said...

That was lovely Karen. Thanks for sending me over there. Really nice pics. What a great idea too, I wish it would become a tradition in nursing homes, sometimes they are the saddest places.
;-)

ChiTown Girl said...

You're so right - every retirement home should be able to do this! I guarantee the residents got 100 times more out of it than the kids did.

Busy Bee Suz said...

That is an awesome idea!!! I love it.
I used to take my girl scouts to retirement homes to sing Christmas carols each year, the kids and the older folks loved it!!!

AnnDeO said...

So cool. My in-laws served sacrament at a nursing home each Sunday. The boys loved to attend. The meeting was short and they got to push them in their "go-carts" (wheelchairs). The residents loved the "go-cart" rides too... and the conversation and company.

Mary Potts said...

What a wonderful idea! My mom lived in an assisted living facility for a time, and whenever I brought my children to see her, ALL her neighbors wanted to visit with them too. Kids always bring spontaneity and smiles with them when they walk in the door ~ just what the residents needed because many didn't have regular visitors. This is a great idea that I plan to pass on to someone I know who might be able to make it happen next year there!

Unknown said...

I so get this. It seems the intention gets overruled by the worry of lawsuits etc more and more.


I am so taken with this idea.

Anonymous said...

I checked her blog tonight for the first time in a week or so - and those pictures made me cry a little - but in a good way. My SIL is a preschool teacher and about 5 years ago, they moved their preschool into the local retirement home - and to see the delight on the residents' faces as they interact daily with those little 3 to 5 year olds is so very sweet. Another thing I noticed about the PW's retirement home is the cute awnings they have at each door ~ so sweet. xo L

Everything Coastal said...

Hi! Missed this post when you posted it earlier. Thanks for sharing Ree's blog, what a delight! I passed it on to a old friend of mine in Pennsylvania who is doing quite a bit of volunteer work with a local retirement home - she is having the BEST time visiting with all of the residents and also going with them on some field trips. Thought she would really enjoy the trick or treating story! Thanks Karen!