Part 1: Thoughts before our first visit

Every year in Grade 5, we go to the senior centre called Chartwell Retirement Home once a month. On Friday October 11th, we are the next Grade 5 class to go visit the seniors. 

Some people in our class are nervous about speaking to the older people. Some people have experienced talking and playing with a grandparent. In our class, we go there to bless the seniors and make friends with them. 

Some seniors have something called dementia. Dementia is a disease that is not a normal part of growing up. Not all people get it. It can last a long time or a short time- 2 to 20 years. Dementia affects the brain. It can make people forget names, people, places they’ve been, and many more. People get worse slowly. We don’t know the cause, but we do know how to help dementia. You need to eat healthy, be around your friends, and exercise. We are very excited. 

Part 2: After our first visit

Grade 5 have now been to Chartwell Retirement Home ! On Friday, we met lots of seniors that were really nice. I met a senior named Marsha. She was really nice. We all met some really nice seniors. They were really fun. We played games with them like pool, chess, and other games.

They were really happy to see us. I loved how they were super happy. I am hoping to learn more about them and learn their stories.

We will now go there every single month, so I am glad I didn’t have to say goodbye. I am excited to go back.