By
Diane Guthrie
Afternoon activities include
playing with Play-Doh. One resident sits at the table with the
students but doesn’t appear to notice them. She is in the late
stages of Alzheimer’s and has limited physical movement. “We
don’t give Play-Doh to residents, especially if it’s cut with a
cookie cutter. They might eat it,” Lawrence says. “A child
under two and one-half might do that too.” Rano, rolling out and
cutting her dough, says, “I’m making lunch – strawberry
vanilla,” and laughs. A resident wanders in looking out of
sorts. “Are we being noisy?” Lawrence says. “It’s a fun noise
though.”
Preschoolers deliver mail to
the residents late in the afternoon. Morgan happily hands the
envelope to a resident but doesn’t want to stick around while
Lawrence helps them open the mail and read it.
Lawrence hands Jason an
envelope to give to Sally. “She’s a pistol. That’s why they get
along so well. They don’t see her as an old lady,” she says.
“You’re my favorite kids in the world,” Sally says. Jason hands
the envelope to Sally. “Can I give you a kiss,” she says. “No,”
Jason says. The caregiver suggests that Sally blow him a kiss.
Diane Guthrie is the daughter
of Hampton resident Arlene R. She is a freelance writer and
videographer who lives in Carnation, Washington, 25 miles east
of Seattle. She specializes in recording oral histories and
writing articles about non-profit organizations and artists.
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