It really doesn t matter. What does matter is that everyone gets a sense of how each member of the circle is feeling that day. Elders and staff bond in a way they were never able to under the medical model. Suddenly, all the little things become elevated in importance. Everyone slows down and becomes a part of giving and receiving care.
People really get to know each other.
It provided a basis for great story telling and exploration of how to build a strong community. From the Barkens, we learned to use this time for celebration and community building. Through Community Gatherings, we have been able to begin to include the elders in the decision making process. When we first started Community Gatherings, we made an interesting discovery. It took several meetings before residents began to express themselves and talk about their lives and things that are important to them.