CAMPAIGN FINAL REFLECTION

In the modern world it is impossible to make a successful campaign without using the social media. Thanks to the Global New Media Lab I have learnt how to use it effectively to reach our goals. Of course, the ending of our online course does not mean that my campaign is over. I am going to work on it after returning back to my home country.

Blog still will be the hub of the campaign. I will use Blogger as a main website where people can find updates from my other social networks through embeds. In addition posts about articles from other websites were informative and inspirational, so I think I will keep doing that. In my blog I will also announce all events that I am working on for my campaign.

Twitter is a good way to deliver news to a huge amount of users. I will inform people about oncoming events there and I will post links to other resources of my campaign.

YouTube has an advantage of visual persuading. It is very powerful tool if you know how to use it right. I still need to improve a lot in this field, but I hope I will not stop maling videos to share with people what I am doing and how grateful is the elderly. It can be a video from a nursing home.

Facebook is an easy way to attract more people to the campaign through sharing with friends. I can also find there organizations that are doing the same thing as me, and I can learn from them.

Instagram, the same way as YouTube, has an advantage of visual influence on people. One picture can say more than a hundred words. I will evoke emotions of people to make them make the difference.

LinkedIn will help in looking for financial supporters or for people that are professionals in the same field. It gives my campaign more credit and value.

Each of these platforms is unique and helpful in its own way. All together they will help to turn a budding campaign into a successful and outstanding one.

Keeping busy

In this extremely optimistic video a new resident of a nursing home shares her ideas on how to survive in a nursing home and actually enjoy it. Check it out: http://www.mybetternursinghome.com/aunt-sylvia-keeps-busy-video/

You need so little to make people happier. Of course, not everyone is as positive as this sweet old lady, that is why they need us! They are glad to have any activity organized, so help them! Take the initiative and they will join and support you!


My last visit to the nursing home occured a few weeks ago and I am still full of emotions. I went with a group of teenagers. We sang songs to the elderly and talked with them. It was a great time for everyone.

Come on! You can do it, too! 

An inspiring story 2

Google Alerts keep on suggesting me articles about volunteering in nursing homes. So this time I read this one: http://www.mankatofreepress.com/local/x651187174/Group-helps-nursing-home-residents-who-get-no-visitors.

I feel touched every time when I read such stories. They inspire me and give me energy and inspiration to do my campaign. Even though now I am far away from my home country, I believe that when I am back, I will not leave my intentions to help the elderly. It will be really busy year for me with graduation and applying for colleges, but I hope to find time to develop my campaign.

The number of people in nursing homes is striking. Just imagine how many people feel lonely and miserable. And now imagine how many people are available to help, but they do not do it. Why? Just because they do not think about this issue, or because they are too lazy to do something, or they are afraid to do it alone. Whatever. You cannot stay at home while they need you! If you are afraid to help alone, gather friends, or join already existing volunteer organization. Find a solution, work, help!

An inspiring story

One of the RSS Alerts that I regulary receive on my email was this one: 

http://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/williston-volunteer-helps-seniors-veterans/article_6ecddd5e-6e48-11e3-afa3-001a4bcf887a.html

It is an inspiring story about a woman who helps the eldery in nursing homes for many years and is not going to quit. Reaction of seniors is the main thing that keeps her in. If you are looking for a reson to help, maybe you should try this: just start, do it once, and then follow your heart. Most probably you will not need reasons anymore. 

Despite Christmas season is over, the old people still will be glad for your attention. Don't wait for special occasion or holiday to make your visit. Just come and that usual day will become a holiday for them!

How to reduce rommate conflicts in nursing homes

Dr. El posted a new article on her website (http://www.mybetternursinghome.com/using-psychology-to-reduce-roommate-conflicts-a-handy-guide-mcknight-ltc-news/). I want to draw your attention to it because it has really useful information for those who are communicating with people in the nursing homes and are always hearing complaints about roommates or even unintentionally become witnesses of rommates' conflicts. 

It happens often enough to be a problem we have to deal with. It is not only personnel's business. Everyone who is visiting the elderly can be engaged in such conflicts. In order to make your visits as pleasant for both sides as possible and to be able to help the old people in these disturbing situations, you shouldn't miss this article.

All advices are really wise and worth reading. Give a couple of minutes of your time to make sure you know what to do if it happens to you. 

Holidays at nursing homes

Thanks to RSS I found a new article with really useful holiday tips for families: http://www.mybetternursinghome.com/three-tips-for-families-for-the-holidays-from-dr-el-video/  It is a short but informative video that can help families who have someone in nursing homes to arrange holidays with them. In addition, it reminded me that Christmas is coming and gave me an idea to visit one of the local nursing homes to celebrate this wonderful holiday with these people.

I visited Laurel Court Senior Living facility in Alvin, TX on Saturday Dec 7th and spent a few amazing hours with the old people. I was with a group of teenagers, so we sang Christmas songs to the elderly, gave them candies and small Christmas gifts and just talked about everything. These people are so wise and experienced! I learned a lot from them about their life paths and choices, and I hope they were happy to share this with me.

I am really excited that I met such a wonderful people! I did the first step on my way in nursing homes' campaign. It helped me to understand better what I am going to do and why. Now I am full of energy and ideas for the next actions!

Christmas is a perfect time to visit your relatives in the nursing home and give them a little bit of happiness. Even if you do not know anyone there, just come and meet new people. You will not regret that you did it, I promise! 

The Power of the RSS

RSS has a great impact on our modern world. I just started to use it for my campaign about volunteering in nursing homes, but I have already experienced all advantages that it has. Reading news from different sources at one place is very convenient. I am glad that I learned such a useful thing. Now I can keep the track of events easily.

I have already found some interesting ideas for my campaign thanks to the RSS. For example, yesterday I saw this article about dinner-dance fundraiser for the nursing home (http://help4srs.org/node/452) and I think it is a good idea that I can use in my home city. Nursing homes do not recieve much money from the government, so it will be really important step. Money from the event we can use to improve living conditions in nursing homes, organize a celebration for the elderly or to make all their wishes true.

Tonns of information, inspiration and ideas are waiting for me and with the RSS I can be sure that I will not miss anything!