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Post by cnyguy on Jul 31, 2015 20:28:01 GMT -5
An elderly friend and former neighbor has been at a nearby nursing home for more than a year. When she lived in my apartment building, she enjoyed having me bring Ralph to her apartment to visit. So, I'd asked for permission to bring him to the nursing home in the past, but was denied it, on the basis of "liability issues." I suspect they were afraid Ralph would bite someone and the nursing home would get sued.  I asked again this past week, and the social services director was finally able to get me permission to bring Ralph to visit. I think that the fact that our friend has had some major health issues recently and hasn't been in the best of spirits may have influenced the decision. Naturally, most of the staff and many of the residents at the home heard about Ralph (our friend keeps his photograph on her bulletin board, and-- this won't surprise anyone here-- I talk about Ralph a lot), and everyone was excited about having him visit. We went today, and Ralph was a big hit with most everyone (one lady simply said, "Oh, a bird. I'm not fond of birds," and wheeled away in her wheelchair.  ) Our friend enjoyed his visit a lot too.  After a couple hours, Ralph had enough of his transport cage, which he dislikes, and was getting fidgety, so I decided it was time to go home. We'll be returning again soon. There were a lot of new and sometimes confusing things there for Ralph to see. He had his first ever elevator ride. He liked the fact that the elevator beeps when it stops at each floor.  He doesn't know quite what to think about wheelchairs and walkers-- and he saw lots of those today. I think he'll be more comfortable with those things on our next visit. |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Jul 31, 2015 21:50:57 GMT -5
That was so nice of you to take Ralph to visit your friend. That would make a big difference to her. We have an organisation here that you can join and, through them, you can take your animal into old folks homes - usually dogs - it really helps lift the spirits of the elderly.
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Post by siobhan on Jul 31, 2015 22:04:25 GMT -5
Of course, you could only do that with a Gentleman Quaker.
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Post by biteybird on Aug 1, 2015 5:49:58 GMT -5
Oh God, I can just imagine the havoc Bonnie would wreak in that environment...even from inside her cage it would be a riot!  Ralph was obviously a hit. Way to go, mate! |
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Post by easttex on Aug 1, 2015 8:32:11 GMT -5
I've seen a number of nursing homes that keep aviaries. Mostly finches, so the residents don't get to handle them, but I think bringing a little element of nature to the residents would be a bright spot.
Can you imagine not liking birds? I remember watching a program on phobias years ago, and there was a woman who was turned into a sobbing, paralyzed basket case by the sight of a feather. I had a hard time believing that one. I thought she was a drama queen, but perhaps I judged harshly.
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Post by cnyguy on Aug 1, 2015 19:25:54 GMT -5
Ralph's visit must have been a success. When I stopped at the home today, several people wanted to know when Ralph would be coming back. The same friend Ralph went to see had been at some other nursing homes in the past for short-term therapy stays. Two of them had Budgies in residence, and lots of the residents liked to stop and watch them and talk to them. My mom spent a few months at a nursing home that had its own CAG. My mom liked to go and see the Grey, who never said a word until we left the room, then would talk up a storm. The activities director at the nursing home where our friend is staying said she'd like to have some birds there all the time, and asked if I'd consider leaving Ralph.  I think you can guess what my answer was.  I did suggest that some Budgies or 'Tiels might be nice though. They do have "therapy dogs" that regularly visit the nursing home, but I think Ralph was the first bird allowed to visit. |
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Post by biteybird on Aug 1, 2015 23:51:08 GMT -5
Well done, Ralph, everyone loves you! Maybe I could fly Bonnie over via Parcel Post to that nursing home - she's behaving so abysmally that they'd be welcome to her. |
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Post by aaron on Aug 2, 2015 20:04:40 GMT -5
I cannot imagine not liking birds, but I guess beaks can be quite scary! But a feather!? My parents 'tiel is completely terrified of his own feathers though, which is pretty remarkable. When molting, he will pull out a large feather, and as soon as it is no longer connected to him, it completely freaks him out to be anywhere near it. I have no idea why. Ralph continues to illustrate his refined nature in his ability to delight a crowd |
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Post by cnyguy on Aug 2, 2015 20:20:04 GMT -5
It is hard to imagine not liking birds. Only one person at the nursing home had that attitude, though there were some who were just indifferent (mostly staff, not residents). I think Ralph may be the first bird ever allowed inside that particular nursing home. I learned today that someone had brought their Grey a few years ago to visit "Grandma," and the visit had to take place on the outdoor patio-- the parrot wasn't allowed inside. The local zoo came to present a program about birds earlier this year, and they weren't permitted to bring live birds as they normally would for such a presentation-- only photographs and stuffed toy birds were allowed. |
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Post by biteybird on Aug 3, 2015 2:25:21 GMT -5
Then there's no doubt that Ralph is (as WE already know) special. That's kudos for both of you!
When I was in primary school my teacher had a panic attack when I drew a picture of a bird on the blackboard...yes!! And several people I work with have a fear of, or strong dislike for, birds. Weird, huh?
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Post by Jan and Shah on Aug 3, 2015 3:42:20 GMT -5
That Ralph is a pretty impressive guy. Maybe he can visit the home once a month or so?
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Post by easttex on Aug 3, 2015 8:40:17 GMT -5
The nerve of that activities director - the very idea of "leaving Ralph". Big harrumph! I think finches are a good choice for the setting. Always active and don't mind being stared at, but not needing human interaction. If parrots, parent-raised and kept in pairs or groups. I don't imagine there are too many nursing homes, in this country, anyway, that will permit residents to handle birds. |
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Post by julianna on Aug 3, 2015 13:59:13 GMT -5
I have brought Oscar many times to two different nursing homes... and yes... some people are terrified of birds but most are amazed by them. Oscar sits the entire time on my shoulder and hides behind my neck whenever he sees a wheelchair, walker or cane. I think somehow he relates all that metal to a cage and thinks a huge bird might fly out... lol
I love taking him so that he can socialize with people instead of just me and hubby. He is still afraid of other people however, if I put him on my finger then onto someone's hand, he will not bite. Never has yet anyway.
That is very thoughtful of you to bring Ralph so the people have something new to see. We know how entertaining these little guys can be. Five stars to Ralph.
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Post by cnyguy on Aug 3, 2015 20:06:53 GMT -5
Ralph and I both appreciate all the kind words. Just hope all this praise doesn't go to his head. Our friend that we visited has had a rough few months, with four lengthy hospital stays for three separate medical problems. She's been feeling a little discouraged, and the idea that Ralph's visit would help lift her spirits was a convincing argument in favor of letting him visit. I think the nursing home administration has already learned that having birds visit is a positive thing. So maybe Ralph and I accomplished something worthwhile. One of the aides at the home said that she previously worked at a nursing facility that had a Grey and a Green-cheeked Conure that some of the residents were allowed to handle. I think that caged birds are safer in that kind of setting-- safer for the residents and the birds both. Finches could be a good choice for a nursing home. If they do decide to have some resident birds, I'd willingly help get them started on the right path. I don't think there are any experienced bird people on the staff over there-- aside from one of the doctors, who had a QP many years ago, and one of the housekeeping staff, who once had "a white parrot of some kind." Ralph and I will probably visit every two or three weeks while the weather is still fairly decent; in the winter, we'll likely cut back on our visits. The home is just a block away, but in our upstate New York winters, traveling even that far can be treacherous. |
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I asked again this past week, and the social services director was finally able to get me permission to bring Ralph to visit. I think that the fact that our friend has had some major health issues recently and hasn't been in the best of spirits may have influenced the decision. 
) Our friend enjoyed his visit a lot too. 
After a couple hours, Ralph had enough of his transport cage, which he dislikes, and was getting fidgety, so I decided it was time to go home. We'll be returning again soon. 
He doesn't know quite what to think about wheelchairs and walkers-- and he saw lots of those today. I think he'll be more comfortable with those things on our next visit. 
I think you can guess what my answer was. 
I did suggest that some Budgies or 'Tiels might be nice though. 
