Feildwork-Week1
I was nervous before I started fieldwork because everything was new, and I worried some senior people have stereotypes because of their age. However, everyone in the senior care center was so kind. They welcomed me, and I was relieved. If I couldn’t understand what employees said, they explained to me.
I did exercise, played Bingo, walked, danced while playing music, and played boccia with residents this week. When I danced while playing some music, I could make them smile. I was happy to do field work there, but sometimes it was difficult to talk about residents’ families because some people have dementia. I also couldn’t listen and talk in English well. So, I would try to change the subject and use English more positively next time.
Week2
I did exercise, played Bingo, and pained nails for residents on Wednesday. I prepared a birthday party and played Bingo again on Thursday. It was difficult to pronounce “G” when I told a number to residents at Bingo games. I enjoyed the birthday party, but I was tired because I had to dance while playing music.
I was surprised that a woman who is a resident is 102 years old in October. She is about five times as old as I am. I was also surprised some residents added much sugar to the coffee. I worried about their health. I ate many Canadian foods at lunch, and I was so full because my co-worker cooked some meals and sweets to celebrate everyone’s birthday. However, I had my lunch, so I wanted to know about it before.
Week3
I did exercise, helped play Bingo and boccia, and made collages out of photos this week. I had the same activities every Wednesday. I had an opportunity to talk for a long time with a man who is a resident, but I didn’t talk well. After that, I had no program in the senior care center, so I could go back home earlier than usual. I enjoyed spending my free time.
I had a happy thing this week. A woman who has dementia couldn’t throw a ball at a boccia game last week, but she did it this week!!! Her husband and my co-worker looked happy, and I was also happy.
Week4
I did exercise, played Bingo, painted nails for residents, colored, walked with them, and played with balloons this week. I and Mami wrote the name of the residents and our co-workers in Japanese. It was difficult to find the same pronunciation in English and Japanese, so we used a smartphone and discussed. Everyone liked it and some residents asked us to write our names.
We asked our supervisor to cook Japanese food on November 24th and she allowed our suggestion. It would be the last day to do fieldwork and we wanted to say thanks to accept us. We had some ideas to cook it, for example, omelet rice, okonomiyaki, and curry rice. I was glad to have the opportunity to tell people in senior care centers about Japanese culture.
Week5
I did exercise, played Bingo many times, and boccia with residents this week. I had the same activities, so sometimes it was boring for me. I spent time with residents, so I could remember those who spends a lot of time together.
I realized some things, but I don’t know the details. I think senior care centers in Japan and Canada are different. Workers in my fieldwork place spend time with residents like friends. In addition, residents take much sugar content. However, workers in Japanese senior care centers take care of nutrition.
Week6
I helped the residents with their exercise, helped them play Bingo, painted their nails for them, did art printing, and held a birthday party for them this week. I could understand what they want me to do, for example, I realized that a woman who uses a wheelchair always wants to go back to her room before others when some activities are held in some other room, so I took her to her room soon after she had done playing Bingo.
I felt quite sad these days because next week the fieldwork would be over, and I enjoyed working in the field. Initially, I couldn’t understand what they wanted, and it was difficult to talk with them in English, but everyone in the senior care center was kind. So, I started enjoying the fieldwork.
Week 7, I was going to cook Japanese food for them, so I was looking forward to cooking and I was glad to talk about Japanese culture.
Week7
I walked with residents, helped them play games, painted a picture, and made Japanese food this week. I was supposed to do exercise, but I didn’t because they felt not good. I cooked Japanese food, okonomiyaki, and omelet rice, to appreciate for staff. I had 2 hours to cook, but it was not enough time, so I acted quickly and was tired. However, all of them who ate the food I cooked was very happy to eat Japanese food, so I was also happy.
I was very happy to do fieldwork in Gemstone, but now I’m sad to finish it. Some residents gave me presents, and when I visited their rooms to say goodbye, everyone said “I miss you.” “Thank you for your help.” “Take care.” They looked sad and I was also sad and cried. Sometimes, it was difficult for me to talk with them and understand what they wanted, but it was a good experience. I was glad that the residents remembered me. I want to spend more time in Gemstone and come back someday. I won’t forget this experience.