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At the Golden Millennium Home for Elderly Travellers, one thing could be taken as certain. Each traveller who paused there for a few moments would bring with them the remainder of a long-ago-allotted span of days, months and years. The length of this remaining span remained confidential, and was never disclosed to the traveller.
quiz
Suggested answers are in italics.
‘Night staff received requests for all sorts of things.’
57. What strange requests have you received from your residents during your night shifts?
‘Few residents seemed to be bothered about remembering the fifth of November and the gunpowder plot.’
58. Is there any point in trying to interest your residents in firework celebrations, the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations or a royal wedding?
• Your answer.
My opinion is that there is. Celebrating such events helps to improve the quality of life for residents and enables them to keep in touch with everyday life. Families and friends are often willing to join in and provide practical support for any special event that the staff organise.
‘Sunday saw the usual Remembrance Day service on the television.’
• Your answer.
• Encourage your residents to concentrate on some of the positive aspects of remembering.
• The bravery of those who died.
• The freedom from oppression we have enjoyed in Britain due to the sacrifice of brave men and women.
• The tremendous community spirit that was often evident in those difficult days.