The Bible teaches us that every individual was formed by God's hand (Psalm 139:13-16) and given gifts to serve God and other people (1 Peter 4:10).
Often seniors have already identified many of their natural abilities and used these skills over the years to help take care of their families, work in a career or relax through a favorite hobby.
The planned activities and programs each month at Bethesda Gardens are designed to provide our residents with the opportunity to enjoy using their talents and the chance to potentially discover new ones.
To help our residents celebrate their own unique gifts and share them with others, here are four places seniors can show off their talents.
We encourage our residents to fill their rooms with their favorite things or preferred styles. Seniors with a flair for interior design can customize apartment decor to reveal their personalities to visiting neighbors and staff members.
By including items they've crafted themselves or old trophies and memorabilia in these decorations, seniors can blend conversation-starters into their surroundings and potentially find and form friendships with others who enjoy participating in the same activities.
Residents with the talent of leadership or organization can set up group activities or clubs in their apartments and common areas, and individuals with a gift of encouragement can make it a routine to visit neighbors who are lonely or under the weather.
Those with a knack for writing can look into creating a newsletter featuring interesting happenings around Bethesda Gardens or conduct interviews with some of the residents and staff members so others can get to know them better.
County fairs, craft shows, and local expos held throughout the year provide artisans such as quilters, painters and woodworkers an outlet for displaying their creations and skills.
Musicians and singers among our residents can get involved in competitions held by businesses and restaurants around town to perform for a crowd and test their abilities on a stage.
For seniors who don't wish to join a competition, volunteer work can offer many avenues to showcase their talents while helping others. Local hospitals and nursing homes routinely welcome guests who can brighten their resident’s days through entertaining stories, music or magic tricks, and knitters or tailors can create hats, scarves and shawls for chemo patients and preemie babies.
Chefs and bakers can pitch in at kitchens in area churches and food pantries or create special treats for individuals and children experiencing a birthday while staying at a women's shelter, VA hospital or homeless shelter.
Holidays and birthdays are a fantastic time for seniors to use their talents to treat their loved ones. Homemade greeting cards and ornaments are just one way seniors can put their own distinctive touch on gifts or match them to the personality of each recipient.
Photographs are another versatile form of expression. Seniors can become the photographer, selecting a subject and arranging backgrounds to suit their ideas, or they can transform groups of photos into a scrapbook focusing on a chosen theme. Artistic seniors can also craft a picture frame from scratch or purchase one to serve as a customizable base for their choice of paint and accessories.
