Thursday, 30 September 2010

'When I was a kid'

I get very lucky in my work sometimes. Today I was in a community shop in Haringey for a drop-in tea and cake session for older people, and had a hilarious time.

Quite a few stories came out - like the one about the neighbour who kept a pig (this is inner city London we're talking about, in this case maybe ten years ago although memories aren't always reliable on dates). He took it for walks like you would a dog, on a lead. But not always on a lead. I missed the next bit of the story as I was sorting cups of tea but when I came back they were talking about butchers' shops.

Then there was a conversation about how 'when I was a kid' you didn't misbehave because everybody knew who you were. ("And mum said that if grandad found out, we'd all be in trouble"). So someone asked, surely you got up to some things you shouldn't have, didn't you? Oh well yes. David recalled how they got hold of a canoe and paddled it down the sewer, "about 14 of us, I don't think anyone found out about that".

30 Sep 2010 20:41:08 | Older people, Vignettes

The comments to this entry are closed.

NEXT POST
Inside or out? Older people and homes Here's a thoughtful article on the quality of life for older people in a good nursing home, by documentary film-maker Alan Gilsenan in the Irish Times: 'Real care does not reside in the building or its facilities... but rather in the spirit of the people within. Laughter seems to be a huge part of this: a shared sense of humour that engages with the elderly rather than excludes them. Time too is hugely important: the time to sit and talk, to listen. The ability to engage with each person as an individual rather than as a unit. Above all, tenderness. Time and time again, one glanced down a corridor or through an open door to see a gentle hand on a shoulder, a supporting arm, an easy hug. These little gestures spoke of some enduring goodness, some small triumph of humanity, in a health service so maligned and under threat. 'Strangely, while there is a sense of warmth and light inside the home, one would be less certain about the life for older people on the outside. Spending time with the many day-care users, who live independently in the community but visit St Monica’s for one day a week, one was struck by the loneliness and fear of many of them. 'The demise of neighbourliness and the onset of violent crime against the elderly was a constant theme. The quiet emptiness of weekends and bank holidays seemed to carry a particular poignancy. For many, that day inside St Monica’s each week was a lifeline of care and fun and support.' This theme has been part of the thinking behind the Haringey Neighbourhoods Connect project underway with Networked Neighbourhoods, working with networks of informal neighbourhood carers. We can't insist that older people are necessarily better off ageing in place rather than in an institution, but we can take steps to make it more desirable as an option.
PREVIOUS POST
Neighborly Conversations Against Mosquitoes It makes sense - mosquitoes breed in standing water and don't travel far, so for those affected, a little neighbourly collaboration can make all the difference. Not a problem round our way, but it seems to be working in Arizona. Suggestions include 'holding block parties to talk about mosquitoes' (who could resist?) and 'When your neighbors go on vacation, offer to police their yards. You might offer to clean your elderly neighbor's rain gutters as well.'

Kevin Harris

Search

My Other Accounts

Recent Comments