Students will complete an assignment for one course that involves 10 hours of gero-focused activities in one or more community settings where older adults live and/or participate in activities. Eight hours will involve direct contact with one or more older adults either individually and/or in groups; two hours will involve a more didactic/seminar presentation of content about older adults with a panel of older adults and social workers. Students will complete a reflection paper following each experiential activity.
Based on relationships with community social workers involved in a community consortium, Virginia Commonwealth University has university-community partnerships to support this proposal. Partner agencies and activities may include, but are not limited to: 1) Better Housing Coalition, through which students may meet individually with seniors to engage in life review and assist with group activities such as crafts, social, and intergenerational activities; 2) Beth Sholom Life Care Community, through which students may learn about a range of services, engage in one-on-one visitation and group activities, and learn about the social work role with more functionally impaired adults; and 3) Linwood Robinson Senior Center, through which students may meet seniors living independently and who attend activities for cultural enrichment, social support, and continuing education.