Some days I feel blue. I really miss always having some tickets tucked away for an upcoming play, musical, concert, or other special event. I miss looking forward to the two parties I give each year and the special vacation each year. I miss going out to a nice restaurant to celebrate special occasions.
But I know that I can mask up and go shopping each week. I can get my hair done when needed. I can work in-person with some clients if we are both comfortable with it. And a real treat, with another couple, we exchange cooking and eating at each other’s homes once a month.
Imagine that you cannot leave your residence at all. Perhaps you rarely can leave your bed. What if you are dependent on someone to take care of all your needs. You have little control over your schedule or even what you eat. You are dependent on others coming to you. You are a shut-in.
February 11 is National Shut-in Visitation Day. A visit to a shut-in can make such a difference to that person. Their days are long and all the same.
Sometimes shut-ins do not have family nearby or friends available to visit and spend time with them. A shut-in may be living at home with a caregiver or in an assisted living facility, a nursing home, or in a temporary hospital or rehab center. A visit with them will brighten their day and positively impact their wellbeing!
The pandemic has made visiting more difficult but with proper care it can still happen. If you are not comfortable with visiting in person there are things to do instead.
Consider:
· Calling on a regular basis. I have a friend who calls a shut-in she has known for years almost every day. The shut-in is having memory problems and may not remember that the person called just yesterday. It doesn’t matter. For the time period of the call, the shut-in feels that someone cares.
· Take over a meal. I take a home cooked meal to a shut-in friend once a week. Her son is her caregiver, and it really gives him a break when I bring the food. I take enough for the two of them to have at least a supper with leftovers.
· Send cards. Most people enjoy getting a card in the mail, especially if it has a nice note or a picture. You don’t need to wait for a special occasion. Simply an “I’ve been thinking of you” will be enough reason.
· Send flowers or a small gift. My shut-in friend loves flowers so I take over a small bouquet with the meal. Occasionally a small tube of nice hand lotion or some other small item that will get used will put a smile on their face.
· Link up with an organization that gives help to shut-ins. If you don’t know someone personally who is a shut-in either volunteer or give donations to organizations that support the shut-in community.
We are busy people with a lot of responsibilities. Take a moment to think what it would be like if all that business was replaced with nothingness.
Find one person who is in that position. It may be a friend, a family member, a church member or even someone you have never met. Take time out of your busy schedule to brighten the day of one shut-in.
Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, author of four books as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients tackle the toughest organizational issues. Jonda does hands on organizing, virtual organizing. For more of Jonda’s tips connect with her on Facebook.
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