Senior News September, 2002 Vol. 21. No.  9

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Pan Dulce Steel Orchestra

Newsbriefs

Redwood Reading Service

Spotlight on the California Commission on Aging

Eureka and Del Norte learn about communication and behavior

Brookings: Journey of life takes us to just the right place

McKinleyville: Heroes

Crossing the Border

Sand Hills, Nebraska

Southern Humboldt County

Events at HSRC

Community Calendar

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Brookings
Journey of life takes us to just the right place
by Sharon McKinney

When he was a high school student, Loyd Drain's step-mother worked in a nursing home. He said, "No way I'd ever do that kind of work." But, Loyd acknowledges that the Creator had a different idea.

His CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) training came as a way to earn money while he was earning a business degree aimed at a career in accounting. One of the men in his class owned a nursing home and offered him a job if he would take the training. Loyd found out that he loved the connection with the frail elderly people in his care. As an employee, Loyd often thought that if he were the administrator things would be done differently. Now that he is the administrator of the Chetco Inn, a residential care facility, he does things the way he planned years before when he was a nursing aide.

"This is a home, not an institution," is Loyd's mission statement. "It is a place to live life, not rules."

A person entering the Inn for the first time would see the homey atmosphere of the remodeled inn. The comfortable living room has the air of its original design. Old photographs line the walls bringing the history of the building into the present day. The dining room is spacious and has a view of the ocean. Each room is furnished with the necessary pieces with space for items to make it personal.

Loyd takes at least two shifts a week himself to keep in touch with the residents. He enjoys the contact and knows each person's history and little quirks. His affection is obvious as is his concern for their comfort. Every holiday is a family event with a potluck for all relatives. "This is how a family should be," said one elderly resident, watching a toddler running around with olives stuck on every finger. The Inn provides the main dishes and the relatives add their favorite offering. The events are fun, light, exciting and meaningful.

Every other Friday, teacher Kathy Watson brings her fifth graders to the Inn. The students do a holiday theme project with the residents. Each student interviews a resident, learns about the person's history and writes a report back at school. This is a wonderful cross-generation experience. The residents love to talk about their lives and the students learn about history and how things were.

When asked about the ideal way to care for the elderly in our communities, Loyd wishes there were a way to make money less important. Our society needs to recognize and prioritize care of the elderly as that population is increasing at a fast rate. He also wishes that students out of high school could have a service commitment, like Peace Corps, with the elderly in exchange for an educational grant to become a CNA or RN.

When asked about his accomplishments thus far in his life, Loyd grinned and announced the impending expansion of his family in December with the birth of his first child. He and his wife have waited a long time for this event. In a time when the news makes headlines out of wrong doings it is a pleasure to know that there are people like Loyd Drain, who know how to make the world a better place.

Sharon McKinney's mom is a resident of the Chetco Inn, and Sharon visits often from her home in Crescent City. Sharon's e-mail is sjmck@ earthlink.net.