lens culture
Life in a seniors' residence, Guatemala
Lola Reid Allin

Life in a seniors' residence, Guatemala

These images that accompany my original submission, Life Under the Watchful Eye of Jesus, provide a brief glimpse into the daily life of elderly Guatemalans who live in a seniors' Residence & Nursing Home because their relatives either are unable to care for them or they are alone in the world without family.

Photos
10
Status
Public
Created
Jul 11, 2014
Updated
Feb 09, 2022
Categories
Documentary
Tags
#Elder Care #Guatemala #Nursing Home #Retirement Home #Seniors

Photos (10)

Cover
Together but apart these two women visit, quietly thinking about the past and the future. © Lola Reid Allin
File: 1.__Life_under_the_watchful_eye_of_Jesus.jpg
The women's dorm is brightened by rainbow-colored bedspreads and construction paper butterflies that flit along the wall of floral gardens. © Lola Reid Allin
File: 's_dorm.jpg
I named this woman Ofelia, a fragile beauty who looks but cannot see. © Lola Reid Allin
File: 3._Ofelia.jpg
At a senior's residence in Guatemala, a comforting caregiver nourishes the soul of one of nine female residents. © Lola Reid Allin
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Most of the seniors at this residence have no family able to provide care and sustenance for them. © Lola Reid Allin
File: 5._Alone_with_Jesus.jpg
Bianca does everything for her nine residents, caring for them as if they were her own mother. While Bianca prepares one of her charges for the day, the cherubic daughter of the resident nurse makes her rounds. © Lola Reid Allin
File: 's_daughter_is_a_welcome_visitor.jpg
Residents eat three meals each day. Each meal is basic but nourishing and virtually identical to food eaten by most Meso Americans: rice, black beans, chicken soup, weak coffee, and of course - tortillas! © Lola Reid Allin
File: 7._For_I_was_hungry.jpg
There are more than seventy male residents. Some require and receive almost constant care and attention; others like this man need shelter but are able to care for themselves. This independence coupled with their gratitude to the staff prompts them to offer assistance. © Lola Reid Allin
File: 8._Hombre_Independante.jpg
Cure diabetes. Nothing else needs to be written. © Lola Reid Allin
File: 9._Cure_Diabetes.jpg
The weekly Wednesday afternoon non-denomination church service led by a Baptist minister to a primarily Catholic population is eagerly anticipated by all residents. Many elderly Guatemalans speak several languages fluently but never learned to read. This man is one of very few literate residents. © Lola Reid Allin
File: 10._Wednesday_afternoon_Bible_study.jpg