We brought out chicks Kitty and Anne to the Mansion today, and it was an emotional, beautiful – and to the residents – an important visit.
The residents often tell me that the thing they most miss in assisted care is the feeling of being touched, a basic human need that is hard to fulfill in elder care, especially during a pandemic year.
The residents just lit up; we brought the chicks to them, they came to the plastic bin where we put them.
I saw some tears, deep smiles, a kind of ecstasy as the residents, one by one, touched the chicks, held them, talked to them. I’ve never seen such deep smiles from the residents as I did when they had one of the chicks in their hands.
Julie holding Kitty
Maria had come to do her art class, but at the last minute, I asked the Mansion if we could bring the chicks; I had a feeling the residents would love it.
We went way over our hour; the residents loved holding and touching them so much. The Mansion is an especially loving place, but it can be isolating to live in assisted care.
Above, Julie, who can’t hear, seemed to really relish the tactile feeling of holding a soft, small creature whose heart you can feel beating.
Maria and I were both touched by this; I think we need to come back and do it again while the chicks are so young. Most of the residents couldn’t come to see Kitty and Anne because of Covid-19 restrictions on groups.
Claudia’s hand
I know from working with Red and Zinnia that animals are powerful medicine for the elderly. They bring back warm memories, and they ease the pain of never being touched, they soften the loneliness.
I think the Mansion is beginning to heal from the trauma that was 2020. We couldn’t visit all year, let alone bring chicks.
It was lovely to see the connection between these baby chicks and the residents. Some h ad
I think the chicks were relishing the attention almost as much as the residents were relishing them.
Top photo: Clara and Kitty.
The feel of the soft chicks, the fond memories of when they might have had chickens and of collecting eggs. Hearts are healing.
It’s been so great to see pictures from the Mansion again. Healing our hearts.
Lovely gift for all including readers of this story. Thank you.
I worked in LTC as an Recreational Therapist. We had a homeschooled group, who in the Spring, would bring in some of their young goats. And along with the goats, they brought a couple adult chickens. They loved them all. The chicken and the goats were both in laps. It was a well attended program; with many very happy people. So you probably will be able to bring in the chicks as adults, and they will be equally well received. Petting and touching many be one of the best gifts you can give your friends in Assisted Living. So glad you are there with them. Blessings to you.
Therapy chicks – I love it!
I’ve seen videos of a therapy horse. The other end of the spectrum, size wise.
Animals and babies have such a lot to offer the elderly who are isolated and no longer in their homes. I also saw a video of a preschool that is in a nursing home, in another country, and the mutual benefits. You are a good man, Jon Katz. I am so grateful for your blog.