To better understands the needs of senior citizens and provide personal services, we visited senior citizens newly checked in and established personal files for them. With survey, we found many senior citizens had not got used to the new environment. They would feel lonely. On November 20, we held tea party for senior citizens. There were 14 participants.

During the activity, the social workers started with a game to break ice. The senior citizens took turns to introduce themselves, which enhanced them to know each other. The social workers used PPT and video to introduce the services. The video made by Grandpa Yang was popular, which is about his life in the Center. Grandpa Yang checked in a year ago. The nice environment and nature views of the Center were included into the video, which also presented rich activities to the other senior citizens. The social workers also introduced the history and services contents of the Senior Center. The senior citizens were interested in hearing the introduction. They hope they would participate in more activities in the future.

When the activity was completed, the social workers organized the senior citizens’ needs and made daily service plans.  We will keep following up the needs of senior citizens and make personal and individual services for their actual needs. 

Original article written by Ling Feng, translated by Maggie Li, edited by Yanyan Zhang 

Grounded on core values of respect, love, and service to the elderly, the Xinyue Senior Center of Chongqing, China, promotes social work services for senior citizens and builds a harmonious living environment for them.

Case Background

Granny Ma is 73. She and her husband both retired from the same gas company. Granny Ma and her husband checked in to the Chongqing No. 1 Social Welfare Institute on March 24, 2015. They had been married since 1965. In 2015, the social workers had planned an activity for the senior couples to take wedding photos together, which made their dreams come true. Sadly, on December 20, 2015, Granny Ma's husband was admitted to the hospital. On January 16, 2016, he passed away. Granny Ma was depressed, and she did not want a new roommate to move in.
 
Case Analysis

Granny Ma is kind and gentle. She had never quarreled with her husband. Her husband was optimistic, and they got along well with each other. Though her husband was sometimes ill, he seemed like a healthy person overall. They ate meals, went on walks, and went out together. They stayed with each other like a model couple. They had 2 sons and a daughter. When her husband was in the ICU, their children came and took care of him. After her husband died, Granny Zhou attended the funeral, but she did not want to face the reality. Granny Ma's children were very kind to her, but they could not accompany her all the time. Having company seemed very important.

It started when I had hurt my thigh bone, and my children had to take care of me. I have 3 great grandchildren, and they are all  about 1 year old. So to alleviate the burden of my children I came to the Chongqing Nursing Home.

My clean, neat, and bright hut contains simple furnishings: a double bed, a desk, a TV, a closet, and 2 pictures of my grandson. I like to see the lovely photos of my grandson when I sit on the bed. His chubby face makes me laugh. I imagine him growing up and becoming a brave and hardworking young man. This is my sincere expectation and wish for him.

There’s a round glass window, and I can see buildings outside, as well as some thriving flowers and trees. Interestingly, there’s a window with window shades in the back wall of the bathroom. The view outside is reflected on the wall. It is really a beautiful picture during the sunset.

On the balcony are plants that were given to me by friends. Flowers blossom and send out their fragrance. The cactus is growing day by day. Outside the windows, the camellias attract butterflies and bees. The trees are getting higher in the spring rains. Birds are singing on the tree branches. What an interesting picture!

On weekends, relatives and families park their cars along the road. They walk and chat with the nursing home residents. 

When the moon became big and round, I could not help but read a poem.

This is my little room, which comforted my sadness and healed my physical injury. I live here and will spend my life it. I like it and love it, my beloved little room.

Original article written by Guangbi Xu, translated by Maggie Li, edited by Yanyan Zhang and Carolyn D.

Oral account by Mrs. Wang Xiangrong   
Recorded by Tang Ying (Social Worker) ​

Grandfather Yang Su Mei was born in October 1934. He is a descendant of the Chongqing group. As a young man, he was a chemical plant director and a chief engineer. Ever since he was diagnosed with diabetes, this grandfather fell in love with painting. Without any professional background in painting, he began his painting journey.

Grandfather Yang Su Mei says that before he begins painting, he likes to imagine the image in his mind. Then, using a gouache or watercolor pen, he outlines the image and continues to develop and improve it. Although the content of the painting is not professional quality, he is content with his work. Today, painting has not only become a form of happiness and source of energy for him, it also represents to him hope.

Life is like a pot of tea. We need to not only savor the aftertaste, but also to pay specific attention to the making of the tea in order to ensure its rich taste. To grandfather Yang Su Mei, his life has become a pot of tea, one in which he continues to learn and enrich the heart to harvest hope.

Original article written by Fan Yang, translated by Nina Chen, edited by Yanyan Zhang and Carolyn D.

It’s International Women’s Day, to send greetings for the senior citizens in nursing home, social workers purchased carnation for women senior citizens. Social workers were divided into several groups and visited grannies. They sent greetings, “granny, happy Women’s Day! Wish you health and pretty forever!” Some of grannies were happy and said, “thank you”. Some lowered their head and appreciated the flowers with smiles. Some of grannies were not able to express due to health problems. They just looked at the social workers and the flowers. Some of them were unconscious and social workers put the flowers beside their beds. The fragrance would go around the room and to the heart of the senior citizens. 

It was more than flower. It was the greetings that went around. It was happiness and respect. In greeting words and happiness, the activity was closed successfully. 

Original article written by Fan Yang, translated by Maggie Li, edited by Yanyan Zhang

Grounded on core values of respect, love, and service to the elderly, the Xin Yue Senior Citizen Service Center of Chongqing, China, promotes social work services for senior citizens and builds harmonious living environment for them.
 
In the morning of February 25, Senior Center carried out 25th session of birthday party for 39 senior citizens. To organize a warm and happy party, social workers connected volunteers in a senior club. They sent greetings by doing wonderful performances. Singings and dances brought happiness and joyful.

After the art performances, participants began to sing birthday song for the senior citizens. With the leading of social workers, the senior citizens blew candles and made wishes. They shared birthday cakes. Granny Gou’s son sent fungus soup and expressed his greetings to the other senior citizens. He was chatting happily with her mother.

After the activity, the social workers visited all senior citizens and sent birthday gifts and warm greetings.

Original article written by Fan Yang, translated by Maggie Li, edited by Yanyan Zhang 

Grounded on core values of respect, love, and service to the elderly, the Xin Yue Senior Citizen Service Center of Chongqing, China, promotes social work services for senior citizens and builds harmonious living environment for them.

In the afternoon of September 25, we held festival party and 46 senior citizens participated in activity. With some interactive games, the senior citizens has a lot of fun. Then there’s a time that senior citizens shared their experiences. Granny Xu was the first one to share. She also had prepared speeches. The recalled difficult life before liberation and praised happy life nowadays. Her speeches won warm applauses. Granny Xu sang a song to praise China. The song caused other audiences’ resonance and people followed her and sang together. The following game was spelling match. Social workers selected 4 participants and divided them into 2 groups. During the game, the senior citizens sent greetings to each other. The match result was draw. Win or lose was not important. Active participation seemed more important. Then more interactive games were held. Happiness passed one to another. After the activity, volunteers from Chongqing Technology University brought wonderful performances and Mid-autumn greetings to the senior citizens.  

In warm atmosphere, the activity was completed. With happiness, the senior citizens went to their rooms with the accompaniment of social workers and volunteers. 

Original article written by Ling Feng, translated by Maggie Li, edited by Yanyan Zhang

Grounded on core values of respect, love, and service to the elderly, the Xin Yue Senior Citizen Service Center of Chongqing, China, promotes social work services for senior citizens and builds harmonious living environment for them.
​

1. Visiting Services

This month, we held 5 visitation events. A volunteer from Chongqing Technical University, Li Xianping, visited grandmother Kuang on June 9th; volunteer Liu Haili visited grandmother Zhang on the 12th; 5 volunteers from Huizhizhou visited 5 seniors on the 7th, 20th, and 27th. When visiting grandmother Kuang, the elderly grandmother wanted Li Xianping to help her burn some paper money for a colleague of hers who passed away. After getting to know Mrs. Kuang, Li found out that when Mrs. Kuang was working, she had a misunderstanding with her colleague and did not clear up in the decades that passed. When she found out that her colleague has passed away, Mrs. Kuang felt awful. But because of her bedbound condition, she can only ask the volunteer to help her. After finding out about this situation, Li Xianping immediately contacted social workers in the center to discuss making the grandmother feel better by reviewing her life together. Burning paper money is only a way for her to feel temporarily relieved. By understanding what happened in the past through conversations with the elderly, Li could find the reasons behind Mrs. Kuang’s actions and help her feel better.

1. Volunteer Service Activities
   • “My Body, My Responsibility” Chronic Illnesses Self-Care Group: With support from center social workers, two professional social volunteers from Chongqing Technical University held a “My Body, My Responsibility” Chronic Illnesses Self-Care Group activity. Through site visiting and investigating in advance and after getting the permission of the elderly, volunteers selected 10 seniors who had similar experiences. They all suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes. In the group, volunteers ask the seniors to share their experience with the illness and tricks for controlling it. They also discussed how to use resources more efficiently. After going through the first five activities, the group bond strengthened and trust grew. The group members became more comfortable with sharing their experiences with the illness and how they deal with the condition. They found spiritual support through sharing and understanding one another and bonded with each other.
   • “Warming the Later Years and Giving Company” Event: On June 13th, the center partnered with the Chongqing Sunshine Philanthropy Foundation and New Parent newspaper to start the “Warming the Later Years and Giving Company” event. 13 caring families from the New Parent newspaper spent a joyous and unforgettable time with the seniors, helping them feel the warmth of having a family.
   • Volunteer Barber Activity: On June 20th, 2 volunteers from Bananmeihui Barber Shop again provided their services to 31 seniors.                                         
2. Changle Island—June Group Birthday Party for Seniors

On the afternoon of June 28th, the center, in partnership with Chongqing Sunshine Philanthropy Foundation and other organizations, organized a “Warming the Later Years” group birthday party for the 40 seniors whose birthdays are in June. On the day of the event, the seniors arrived despite the scorching heat, accompanied by the volunteers, who protected and supported them, acting as the cool wind on such a hot day. The young volunteers, led by their parents, gave the seniors colorful balloons and kind wishes.
With the kind voice of the emcee, the birthday party began. The seniors enjoyed performances and cake. During the event, the seniors also shared their feelings, sharing the joy that comes with celebrating their birthday. 

Original article written by Ling Feng, translated by Allison Zhang

Grounded on core values of respect, love, and service to the elderly, the Xin Yue Senior Citizen Service Center of Chongqing, China, promotes social work services for senior citizens and builds harmonious living environment for them.

In the afternoon of Dec. 15, we held the 24th birthday party for 177 senior citizens with the support of Chongqing Sunshine Public Service Foundation. 

In this summer, birthday party had been concealed for 3 months due to high temperature. Social workers visited all senior citizens who were born in July, August, October and December before the activity. They got to know their wishes and needs. The senior citizens were invited to participate in the activity. Many senior citizens were grateful. During the activity, the senior citizens shared cakes and their happiness with each other. The volunteers presented their performances and greetings. 

After the activity, the social workers visited those who were not convenient to move. They sent wishes and cakes to their rooms. Some of them though could not move, they still knew and said thank you with weak voices.