Vera’s Giraffe Dream Comes True!
Most people cherish a bucket list filled with things they feel that they just have to experience once in a lifetime. 102-year-old Vera was no exception. This centenarian, a resident in an assisted living facility, longed to see giraffes up close.
But what makes Vera’s story so heartwarming is that this frail, wheelchair-bound retirement home resident was able to enjoy her dream coming true, thanks to the help of enrichment staff at her care home, as the BBC Hereford & Worcester reports
Vera’s Unforgettable Trip
And so it came to pass that early summer morning that Vera, who lives at The Mill House Care Home, near Worcester in England’s West Midlands, a facility specializing in dementia care, found herself about to realize her lifelong ambition. But its fulfilment was kept under wraps until the very last minute. Suddenly, she found herself, on that cloudy early summer morning, at the West Midlands Safari Park.
This attraction has a motto of “Get Wildly Close!” for its “VIP Experiences,“ and that’s just what Vera did as part of its “Giraffe Keeper Experience, ” during which Vera was pleasantly surprised to find herself up close and personal with majestic giraffes, and actually feeding these unique animals.
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Charlotte Rees, activities lead with The Mill House, shares Vera’s unforgettable reaction: “Seeing her face when she met the giraffes was wonderful. She absolutely loved every moment.”
Rees adds that Vera had told them that visiting the safari park and seeing its magnificent giraffes was something she felt that she’d really love to do for her birthday, so the team worked to make that happen for her.
Part of a Global Giraffe Fan Base!
Incidentally, Vera is just one of many global giraffe fans. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation has commemorated a dedicated World Giraffe Day since 2014 to celebrate the tallest animal on the longest day (June 21.)
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This nonprofit is on a mission to draw attention to the decrease in giraffe numbers, a drop of almost 30 percent over the past 35 years. There are only 140,000 giraffes left in the wild, and this nonprofit is the sole organization to focus on the conservation and management of these towering mammals in the wild throughout Africa. This includes returning many individual giraffes to their original habitats.
Giraffes are currently classed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. As global animal welfare organization IFAW details, their slow, almost unnoticed decline, has been referred to as a “silent extinction.” It points the finger at habitat loss, poaching, drought, human-wildlife contact, and civil unrest as reasons for their decreasing numbers.
Bringing Joy to the Lives of Elders
Vera’s thrilling experience is a shining example of the importance of bringing joy to people in their golden years, despite the fact that the dependency needs of people in advanced age are higher.
Physical frailty and cognitive decline characterize older adulthood, but according to Healthline, care of a person’s primary needs should also include preserving well-being through cognitive support, and helping them stay active and eating healthily.
The Mill House website details the value of person-centered dementia care that goes beyond physical needs alone. It strives to spend time understands the interests, life story and personal wishes of each resident in order to create life quality-boosting moments for them: “Vera’s safari adventure was a wonderful example of person-centred care in action and reflects our commitment to helping every resident live a fulfilling and enjoyable life,” it shares.
A spokesperson for Vera’s residential care home emphasized to the BBC that it places a “strong emphasis” on supporting residents in continuing to enjoy meaningful experiences and on fulfilling personal wishes regardless of age. For Vera in particular, this translated to celebrating her 102nd birthday surrounded by animals, making new memories and ticking off an item on her bucket list.
“Judging by her smile, the giraffes were worth the wait,” they add.
