A Different Kind of 'Senior' Living

 

By Susan Shelly

It鈥檚 a work in progress, but so far it鈥檚 working well.

Josh Harmes 鈥18 and Eric Moran 鈥19 had barely settled into their apartment at the , by late August. But immediately, residents of the Berks County retirement community couldn鈥檛 wait to meet them.

鈥淲e haven鈥檛 met the students yet, but we鈥檙e hoping to have dinner with them very soon,鈥 said the Rev. Dr. Paul Hetrich, 82, who resides at the Highlands with his wife, Barbara. 鈥淲e鈥檝e heard very nice things about them, and everyone is glad they鈥檙e here.鈥

Hetrich was anxious to meet both students, but particularly Moran, who is pursuing a double major in theology and history at Alvernia, and hopes to follow that up with a master鈥檚 degree in secondary education.

鈥淚鈥檇 love to talk to him about his theology classes and what he hopes to do after he graduates,鈥 said Hetrich, a retired minister.

The student-senior residential program, which has been modeled in parts of Europe and a few areas in the United States, is intended to provide an exchange of learning and promote better understanding between different generations, explained Joseph Cicala, Ph.D., vice president for University Life and dean of students at Alvernia.

鈥淚t鈥檚 meant to bridge what people used to call the generation gap,鈥 Cicala said.

Kevin P. DeAcosta, a 2000 Alvernia graduate who is president and CEO of the Highlands at Wyomissing, said that having Harmes, 23, and Moran, 21, at the retirement community benefits both residents and the students.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great idea for a community like the Highlands to participate in intergenerational opportunities,鈥 DeAcosta said. 鈥淭he residents are just excited about being with young people, and it鈥檚 a good opportunity for the students to learn about giving back.鈥

Moran and Harmes, who were selected for the program based on academic achievement, campus involvement and personal character, signed an agreement with the Highlands that, in exchange for room and some of their meals, they would share at least one meal a week with residents and provide 12 to 16 hours of service related to their majors each month.

Harmes, a fifth-year Master of Science in Occupational Therapy scholar, will work with seniors who need physical assistance and is considering forming a walking group. The pair might also assist residents with technology or just spend time playing cards or talking with residents.

鈥淭his is a brand new program, so we鈥檙e kind of figuring it out,鈥 said Harmes. 鈥淏ut we know that our payment to the Highlands for letting us live here is to give back to residents.鈥

Just a couple of weeks after moving in, Harmes and Moran had already dined in some residents鈥 homes or apartments and were well on their way to forming friendships.

One resident, named Ernie, was looking forward to being invited to college parties.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 have parties, but I think we鈥檒l invite Ernie over some night and get a bottle of his favorite wine,鈥 Harmes said.

鈥淏ut, only if it doesn鈥檛 interact with his meds,鈥 he added.

Jodi Gibble, marketing director at the Highlands, said partnering with Alvernia on the project makes sense because the retirement community and the university know each other well.

鈥淲e already have a strong connection with Alvernia through the university鈥檚 Seniors College,鈥 said Gibble. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 been a wonderful partnership for our residents, who can attend classes for free. Many do, and some have even taught courses.鈥

Alvernia also offers continuing education opportunities for staff members at the Highlands.

While the program is new, the intent of both the Highlands and Alvernia is to have it continue.

鈥淲e fully intend to do it every year,鈥 said DeAcosta. 鈥淭his first year is a trial year, and we need to make sure that we get it right to get the most value for us, the students and the university.鈥

Cicala suggested that in the future, the program might be expanded to include additional students, even if they don鈥檛 live at the Highlands.

鈥淭here may be different ways to get our students involved,鈥 he said.

Cicala said he is impressed with how the program is progressing so far and confident that Harms and Moran are the right fit for the trial year.