As part of the Competency Based Training (CBT) program, provided at Deir El Ahmar by the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST), nursing students paid a visit to the Shlifa nursing home.
This visit to this home which offers care for about seventy senior citizens with special needs was previously organized and planned in coordination with the home’s administration. Students suggested this place in particular, because it is primarily a humanitarian initiative, and secondly, because it gave room for students to apply and practice nursing.
At first, some of the students were enthusiastic and others were worried. However, the fact that some students were very excited and even suggested to take some little gifts to the elderly made everyone step up and support the idea too. Before the day of the visit, students were informed about the different cases at the nursing home and their psychiatric states, so they would better know how to deal with them.
When the team arrived at the
house, the nun in charge welcomed them and encouraged them by saying they are the
real heroes for doing such humanitarian activities that spread messages of
love, peace, and empathy. The
nun accompanied the students with their teacher to the main hall, where the
elderly gathered. Students met patients of all cases, people on wheelchairs, some
with mental disorders, and others who move all the time non-stop. The patients
seemed very happy for having visitors in the house, so they surrounded them and
watched them closely. A few minutes later, everyone felt more comfortable and
familiar with each other as the nursing students started doing some diabetes
and blood pressure tests for the elderly. For a few hours, students sat with
the very friendly elderly who told their stories and memories that they still
keep in mind and repeat every day.
When the time was up for the team
to leave, everyone asked to stay a bit longer to enjoy the precious time with
everyone at the home. At the end of the day, goodbyes were very hard and
everyone seemed very touched. Students said it was the best experience they
ever had, getting the chance to sit and spend time with the elderly. It was
with no doubt one of the greatest initiatives taken by CBT students in
particular, and the LOST family in general. The Shlifa nursing home was very
thankful for the visit and students were happy and touched to an extent that they
decided to specialize in nursing after the cycle at LOST’s center ends.
