The December event turned into a much slower and more hands on process than I originally expected, and a lot of that came from how personal the emergency cards actually were. The cards themselves were simple. Name at the top, emergency contacts, basic medical information, and space for notes. Even so, filling them out required more support than I had expected.
After my initial explanation on stage, it became clear that many seniors were still unsure about what they were supposed to do. Once I started going table by table, the process felt more natural. I would sit down with someone and walk through the card step by step, starting with their name and then moving on to contact information. One thing I did not anticipate was how many people did not know phone numbers or addresses off the top of their head. Some seniors paused for a long time, trying to remember details. I found myself helping people navigate their phones, scroll through contacts, and look for saved information. For some, even unlocking the phone or finding the right app took time, and that slowed everything down.
At first, I worried about the pace, but I realized it was necessary. Rushing would have defeated the purpose of the card. If the information was not accurate or complete, the card would not be helpful in an emergency. So we took it one piece at a time. Sometimes that meant waiting while someone searched their phone, and other times it meant talking through who the best emergency contact actually was.
I also had to repeat, often, that the information was staying with them. A lot of seniors were hesitant at first, and once they understood that I was not collecting anything, the tone of the interaction changed. People became more comfortable sharing details and asking questions. The process was repetitive, but not in a bad way. Each table brought different questions. Some seniors finished quickly and confidently, while others needed more guidance and reassurance. Moving through the room like that took time and energy.
By the end, everyone who wanted an emergency card had one filled out properly. The room was quieter than during previous events, but it felt focused. Looking back, the process itself ended up being the most important part of the event. A full reflection is coming soon.