Welcome to the new Blog from Beyond-Bingo!
As we go along here with this new blog, you will be able to hear about projects in the works at Beyond Bingo, from new murals on walls and buses that are already scheduled for this year, to camping, new clients and new programs with seniors across the country, and of course, my favorite endeavor of all, Creating Art with all my painters.
It took me until a bit over four years ago to create the perfect profession for myself, mind you, being the way I am, it is still being refined every day. But, whatever challenges my days may present, they are far outweighed by the joy I get from the joy I bring.
Just a few of the things I am hoping to delve into in this blog;
What are our preconceptions, and misconceptions, about our elders and their abilities and needs?
What is Great, Good, Fair and Poor about how we are serving the seniors in our care?
What do I see each day as I travel from community to community and work with seniors at all care levels, and all income levels across not only the Midwest, but the East Coast, Florida and ...more locations coming soon!
Today, I would like to tell you about myself. I have worked for 20+years in Senior Healthcare, in every aspect of care. From my long past beginnings as a server in dietary in a Skilled Nursing Facility, to years as a CNA (before there was such a title) up through IT, Admin, Memorycare Unit Coordinator, lots more IT, Regional Programming Director and now as an Award Winning Consultant and Specialist in Senior Programming Development.
I have had many jobs since age 13 when I began working for my parents business and as a babysitter, but there are only two things I have always loved to do. Create Art and Work with Seniors.
I do what I do out of love and respect for our Elders, plain and simple. I am amazed by their resilience, their stories and experiences, and they never fail to teach me something new with every interaction. Just a few of the things they have taught me:
A 94 year old who lives in Assisted Living, and just had all their teeth pulled in preparation for new dentures can absolutely still go camping, sleep on a cot, and spend the day out on a lake taking pictures. Just TRY to stop her!
You are never too old to go horseback riding for the first time! And being blind doesn’t matter at all.
Being in Memorycare for ADRD Does NOT mean that you cannot participate in a two hour long, in-depth art class and create incredibly beautiful and meaningful works of art.
Habits can be created, when memories no longer can, and those Habits can be just as powerful.
Oftentimes WE, despite all our best intentions, are our Elders greatest obstacles to Happiness, Engagement and Success.
(My most favorite thing to teach them?) Art cannot be done Wrong, and creating in Your Own Way is just what true Artists have been doing since the beginning of time, so let’s Do It Our Own Way some more!
Welcome to the new Blog from Beyond Bingo! I hope you will join me here and share your experiences, and lessons, gained from working with our Elders.
for more information about Beyond Bingo, check out our Facebook Page, Website or contact me directly via email or phone. Thank you for reading all the way through to the end of this inaugural post! May you finish this day with one new lesson successfully learned and a whole list of things to be grateful for!
