Chartwell Kamloops Retirement Residence Fieldwork, October 12-13
It was a first week of a fieldwork. I was nervous and worried about going to a new workplace. As I have never worked at a retirement residence before, it was a new challenge for me. I was afraid of misunderstanding because of a lack of English skills. I was thinking everything in a negative way.
However, everyone was nice and kind to me. My feeling was completely changed in a positive way. My supervisor, Linda showed me the inside of a building and introduced residents to me. Everyone welcomed me warmly and helped me when I had a problem. My job was talking with residents, serving tea and coffee during their lunch time and cleaning up tables. I felt difficult to communicate with residents because there were some words I did not know, and their voices were hoarse. I thought that I should ask them to speak slowly and to use easy words for me.
Chartwell Kamloops Retirement Residence Fieldwork, October 19-20
There was an old lady who has hearing loss. When I talked to her, she was not able to understand what I said. To keep talking with her, I tried to speak every word clearly. Then she could understand the conversation. Also, there are people who have dementia. They asked me same questions many times in a day, and we repeated same conversation. I kept smiling and talking nicely. I had to be patient.
While I was working, I could not get what staff said to me about my tasks. I felt bad to ask my tasks to staff repeatedly. However, if I do not ask them, I can do nothing. It is important to make an action. I felt that I should have a positive attitude.
Chartwell Kamloops Retirement Residence Fieldwork, October 26-27
I had many fun activities with residents in this week. I exercised with residents in the morning and carved pumpkins for Halloween decorations. After lunch time, I joined a project which the host of this project makes mats with plastic bags to give them to homeless people. Everyone enjoyed talking while they were stretching crumpled plastic bags. After that, we had a Java music club. We sang some songs and shared our stories related to thankful. I had quality time through these activities.
Some residents remembered my name even though I did not have a name tag. A man who danced together last week said to me ‘You are Koto! Good dancer.’ I was so glad to hear that.
Chartwell Kamloops Retirement Residence Fieldwork, November 2-3
When I was serving tea at a dining room, a man asked me to bring chamomile tea, but I thought he said caramel milk tea. I asked him again to make sure what he wanted, and I could serve chamomile tea. Sometimes I could not get what they said. I learned that it is important to ask them or ask help to other staff if I am not sure.
When I worked there on the first day, I was nervous, and I was awkward a little. After I worked there for a month, residents and staff talked to me while I was working. I felt comfortable to stay there. Moreover, I actively started communication and said ‘hello, how are you?’ to them.
Chartwell Kamloops Retirement Residence Fieldwork, November 9-10
In the morning, residents and I went to Aberdeen mall for inside walking. I walked around with a lady called Clair. She is 91 years old now, but she likes walking. She bought a piece of chocolate for me, and we talked about family and school life. When I talked to seniors, it was difficult to keep conversation. What I could do was developing a topic to another topic. When they asked me how to celebrate Christmas in Japan, I asked them ‘How about Canada?’ and we enjoyed conversation.
Also, residents love dancing, and we had dance activities both on Wednesday and Thursday. They did not stop dancing during the time. It is good for them to keep their bodies moving. I could get along with them through joining activities.
Chartwell Kamloops Retirement Residence Fieldwork, November 16-17
I had a blast in this week because I enjoyed going out with residents so much. We went to Aberdeen mall for shopping and having lunch together on Wednesday. People who often join activities were almost the same. Therefore, I remembered their name and they also remember my name. Also, on Thursday, we went to Real Deal store which sells Christmas ornaments. Everyone looked like happy and some of them bought ornaments. After that we went to Frick and Frank for lunch. My supervisor, Linda booked the restaurant because I had three more days until I finish my fieldwork. I was glad that fourteen people came to have lunch together. I was surrounded by nice people and delicious meals.
Some seniors talked to me about their family and their life. They did not talk such things last month, but we built a good relationship for two months. We could have deep conversations.
Chartwell Kamloops Retirement Residence Fieldwork, November 23-24
It was my last week to work at Chartwell. I was sad to leave everyone. I decided to do my best and to talk much with residents. In the morning, I decorated with ornaments for Christmas. I climbed up a ladder and hooked ornaments from a ceiling. Even though it was tough because I was doing it for two hours, I was happy to hear that many staff and residents told me ‘You did an excellent job. It looks pretty!’
On the last day of a field work, we had a dance time. Many residents came to me to dance together, and they said, ‘Thank you for coming here and have a safe trip to home.’ Linda gave me presents, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, a chocolate box, and a letter. Two ladies gave me knitting they made. Everyone gave me hugs and I could not stop crying.
When I started working there in the first month, I was feeling that I did not contribute to anything. Because I felt difficult to keep talking with residents and I was not sure if they felt comfortable to stay with me. After I finished my fieldwork, I could be confident about myself and what I have done for them.
