Senior Adults and Students Come Together to Create a Memorable Exhibit - Seniors & Their Stories

EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, we feature intergenerational program ideas that were tried and successful. This series is a tool to highlight various age-optimized programs and practices. The program descriptions are provided by representatives of the programs. Inclusion in this series does not imply Generations United’s endorsement or recommendation, but rather encourages ideas to inspire other programs. 

This week’s article is submitted by LeadingAge.

This week's cool idea: residents of Trinity Senior Living Community (TSLC), a LeadingAge member, and The Institute of Music & Dance (IMD) -- through the Kresge Onstage! Program -- developed and conducted the “Seniors & Their Stories” workshop and exhibit.

This multifaceted project brought together senior adults living in the McGivney Bethune Apartments on the campus of Marygrove College, Marygrove College undergraduates in the Arts and Civic Engagement course, and renowned Detroit photographer, Barbara Barefield.

“Twenty three students enjoyed listening to and recording the personal stories of 7 TSLC seniors, living in northwest Detroit,” said Judith Molina, Director of IMD. “They developed, through word, dance, song, and visual art, a creative expression of the individuals they came to know more personally.”

The photo exhibit, Senior & Their Stories, was on display at the Beyond Words Gallery at Marygrove College library in Detroit, Michigan last March. All involved were thrilled and proud of the results.

For the students, they got an opportunity to interact with and learn about seniors’ rich history, while making art and getting course credit.

For the seniors, it was a wonderful chance to share their stories with young adults and see their lives expressed in beautiful and meaningful art.

Got something cool you tried that was successful? Share the inspiration. You can also post them to our Intergenerational Connections Facebook Group. We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter! 

Geriatric Career Development Program at Jewish Home Lifecare - 2014 Program of Distinction Designee

PHOTO: Jewish Home Lifecare

In part 3 of our series on the 2014 Program of Distinction Designees, we highlight Geriatric Career Development Program at Jewish Home Lifecare, a LeadingAge member based in New York City.  (Read parts one and two.)

In addition to helping at-risk New York City high school students climb career ladders in health care, Geriatric Career Development (GCD) program enjoys the bragging rights and national legitimacy that comes from joining an elite group of programs celebrated for their effectiveness.

(See our post, “What is a Program of Distinction Designee and why is it so important?”)

Since 2006, GCD served as a pipeline to develop the next generation of diverse, culturally competent leaders in long-term care.

The program serves 200 at-risk high school students (10^th-12^th grade) annually through a comprehensive three-year curriculum that encompasses rigorous academic tutoring and college preparation; extensive workforce training and healthcare certification; professional mentorship; intergenerational learning; family involvement; and life-skills counseling.  

PHOTO: Jewish Home Lifecare

The students spend three years working directly with the elders at Jewish Home Lifecare in a variety of capacities.

Students host social group events for the elders, select an elder mentor for specialized one-on-one activities and assist the nursing staff in a clinical role focusing on person directed care.

Students leave the program college-bound and with a certification in one or more allied health occupations (Medical Billing and Coding, Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, CPR, Electrocardiography Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician).

The Program continues to mentor and track its growing alumni chapter (now 313 young adults) by providing support services related to college persistence, employment opportunities and life skills.

A program object is that GCD graduates attend college or gain employment in the health care system. Mohammed Abdullah, a recent grad, did both. He’s currently a certified nursing assistant at Jewish Home Lifecare’s Bronx campus and attends Jersey Collage School of Nursing.

“I didn’t think a program like GCD would benefit me,” said Abdullah, who remembered his high school days when he walked the halls with his friends, showed up to class late and talked back to his teachers.

“But then when I started,” he concluded, “I became more responsible.”