Slippery Rock University students share legacy of area seniors
A recent project paired Slippery Rock University students with older adults at a Butler Township retirement community.
The Legacy Project tasked the students, who are studying health care at the university, to get to know a senior at Lowrie Place and then relay their story, or legacy, in a book and present that book to a group last Tuesday.
In total, 13 students in associate professor Betsy Kemeny’s organization management class for recreational therapy prepared Legacy Projects, which students had nearly a semester to complete.
It’s great to see the interaction and the friendships formed between generations. The activity — outside of creating a beautiful keepsake for the residents and their families — gave students a valuable communication exercise and learning opportunity.
“I think we’ll be lifelong friends now,” said Leroy Crawford, who was partnered with SRU student Stephanie Sorensen for the project.
Throughout elementary school, high school and even college, students are often paired with their peers. They learn to communicate well with those who are close in age, but they may not have experience working with people of other generations until they are out on the job.
Those who enter any field after college will need to communicate well and work with people who are different from them in many ways. In particular, those who will have jobs caring for people from a different generation must be able to communicate well and understand their charges.
The Legacy Project promoted communication skills, taught students how to listen effectively and fostered compassion and friendship.
We applaud the collaboration between Lowrie Place and Slippery Rock University. Kudos for getting future students out in the community.
— TL
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