Senior Scene
Sometimes, everyday responsibilities leave little or no time to talk with others face to face. When time is set aside to spend with others and connect over something as simple as a shared meal, it can be rejuvenating and enlightening. Samford University students put this idea into practice when they recently visited Brookdale University Park Senior Living in Homewood, Ala. The students are majors in Human Development and Family Science. Their visit to Brookdale was part of a Human Development class, specifically focused on middle and late adulthood. The students, under the leadership of their Professor, Dr. Clara Gerhardt, had breakfast with the residents. During breakfast, the students and residents connected over the meal and exchanged stories and memories.
The students as well as the residents expressed how much they enjoyed the social time spent together! One resident told Dr. Gerhardt, “These three young ladies were sitting at a table for four and they asked me if I’d like to join them and I thought, why don’t I do this? And I sat down, and it was the joy of the week. I had the nicest time! Of course, I did all the talking, which is unusual for me. These students were such a breath of fresh air; it was emotional for me. Thank you for bringing them. It was a joy!” †
