Our resident's son: "I don't call it a nursing home, I just call it home !" 【来到这儿以后不是到了一个机构，而是来了自己的家。因为我们的老人都在这儿颐养天年，对他们做了一个很好的照顾。我给它起名叫欧家，我们回到欧葆庭这个家里面。】
Read the English transcript
This place does not feel like a traditional nursing home. It is lively, and the residents are genuinely happy. Non-drug approaches help them feel joy and renewed enthusiasm for life. It is a place where older people can enjoy life and their later years. We were certain that we wanted to bring our parent here. Our parent is very satisfied, and so are we. It does not feel like arriving at an institution; it feels like coming home.
Residents take part in a rich variety of cultural activities. For this event, we wanted to bring the cultural experience indoors so residents would not need to travel. Throughout the afternoon there was music and food, with residents accompanied by their families, volunteers and staff. Happiness was the purpose of the event.
The celebration took place around 14 July, France’s National Day. As a French care centre, we have a tradition of using the occasion to bring residents and their families together.
One part of the event was designed to help residents’ children share words from the heart. Without telling the residents in advance, we contacted their children and asked them to write a letter. We printed the letters, or transcribed messages sent through WeChat. Residents collected stamps at four or five music stations before receiving their letter. For many, it may have been the first time in years that they had heard their children express these feelings. The long letters were filled with blessings.
On behalf of ORPEA Xianlin International Care Centre, I wish our residents happiness and health. May they always be with us, and may we always have the opportunity to be by their side.
English transcript translated and lightly edited from the original Chinese audio for names and readability. The video is the definitive record.
First published on LinkedIn, August 23, 2018. View the original post.