The Right Thing

During the bleak days of spring 2020, those of us who worked with older adults were living in a dark world of fear, uncertainty and questions without answers. We had no information and no resources, and we were doing our best to figure it out by ourselves. Our colleagues, in both nonprofit and faith- based organizations, were really our primary source of support and encouragement. Sometimes we would have a call to commiserate, to confess the fear that we didn’t let anyone else see. Sometimes there were tears and there were always words of encouragement.

One of my dear friends and colleagues runs an organization that, like ours, had the geographic misfortune to get hit early and hard with COVID. We spoke often, sharing any information we had, including connections to vendors who could provide things like PPE and testing, both of which were critical and both of which were in unbelievably short supply.

As my friend and I spoke, we talked about how we tried to support our staff members, how we tried to keep morale up, how we tried to address the unanswerable questions in a way that did not cause panic or discouragement. My friend’s catch phrase was one that stood him in good stead throughout. He simply said, “Just do the right thing.” Simple words but filled with power as it is clear that the right thing, in our work, is always putting the needs of the elder first, always finding ways to comfort, care, engage and strengthen. Doing the right thing means remembering that each individual is a being with needs, preferences and the ability to make choices.

In recent weeks, the unsettled state of the country, and of the world, have led me to think about that phrase. What is the right thing? When we talk about people, the right thing seems to me to be rooted in humanity, in kindness, in caring and in understanding. When it comes to older adults, who are, of course, people too, the right thing is protecting the healthcare that they need, providing safe environments and support for aging.

The right thing supports the greater good, the right thing focuses on healing over harm, the right thing fosters wholeness. The right thing honors our elders for all that they have done and contributed and all they have yet to do.