Buffalo High Schools Gerontology Students are Teaching and Learning from Older Adults

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Guest Contributor

A new course is underway at Buffalo High School (BHS) bringing together the student’s young lives with those of older adults in the community. CIS Introduction to Gerontology is the study of aging and that’s just what students are experiencing in and out of the classroom.  

Through a “skills exchange” between the students and residents of Park View Care Center, they recently prepared refrigerator pickles and taught the seniors how to use an iPad. It’s through this time together that relationships are built that result in developing understanding and appreciation. 

BHS Senior Lily said, “It was fun to help with iPads because the woman we worked with was very kind. She wasn’t interested in learning the iPad, but she was very interested in talking. She said she enjoyed talking with us and was nervous at first but that she had a good time.” Another student realized, “It makes me happy to see how spirited they still are at an old age. The stories they tell are their personal history.”  

Students are also assisting at community centers and other organizations including an Alzheimer’s fundraiser, entertaining by playing an instrument, nail painting, yard work and social visits. 

Today’s older adults are aging gracefully, living longer and are full of vitality. By the year 2020, the US population 65 years and older will be larger than the population of children 5 years old and less. With the steadily growing aging population, BHS students will likely work with or for older adults. Whatever the students long-term career interest, the course is a great compliment for all careers.  Students are learning about their future clients and customers, their own aging family, and themselves. 

This article first appeared in the Buffalo High School newsletter.