By kelly • March 2, 2026
I realized that human dignity is a deep, core value for me when I witnessed the lack of it for the elderly in care homes.
As a massage therapy student, I was able to volunteer for practicum hours at more than one care home for elderly residents. One in particular had an impact on me that I will never forget. As we entered the front door, the smell of urine hit my nose and lingered throughout the whole entry level floor as we treated residents in their wheelchairs and in seats around the TV lounge.
Many of the residents, I discovered really wanted to hold my hand. So I treated them with one hand while holding the other. We sang songs and looked them in the eye and it brought many of them to tears.
One resident asked if someone could take them to the bathroom, so I went and found a care aide and asked them to help. I was informed that all the residents were on a toileting schedule and that they were too busy to address individual requests. TO USE THE WASHROOM! This resident was made to wait 20 whole minutes before someone would take them. By that time, it was too late and they were made to sit in wet, dirty clothes for far too long.
This is not dignity. I was heartbroken at the poor treatment of these vulnerable folks. and this was not an isolated incident or unique story. Many residences I have worked at have some sort of injustice to dignity, whether it be neglect, medical error, hygiene, lack of social inclusion, or even downright harm.
Everyone deserves to receive exceptional care, even if all that means is safety, dignity, and presence. Human dignity drives my purpose, along with love, nurturing, connection, and inclusion.