For our fifth fieldwork, Ben and I had an online meeting with Deborah Heiser. Throughout the meeting, Deborah, a clinical psychologist that specializes in aging, helped us understand the process of aging. Deborah started off the meeting by asking us what “old” is. When I answered 65, and ben answered 60, she told us that she thought “old” was 80. She then explained that everyone thinks of “old” as a different age. A three year old might think 45 is old, while a 10 year old might think 13 is old. No Matter what, we all think of aging in a different way. She then went on to explain how growing old really works. She drew a graph, showing the mental state of a senior versus the physical state. The graph started at birth, with the physical and mental state both at zero. Both of these progressed about equally until age 65. At 65 the physical state started to drop, but the mental state still progressed. She explained to us that while society might think of seniors as “weak” or “inferior” beings, their mental state is stronger than ever, and their wisdom is actually profound.

Read more

For our second City Meals on Wheels volunteering trip, we got to take on new challenges, visit new areas of New York, and meet new seniors. We started our adventure off at the City Meals on Wheels office in midtown. Unlike our first volunteering trip, as soon as we walked through the main office doors, a volunteer coordinator gave us our route sheet and handed us the packages to start our journey. We delivered over 9 packages to seniors in need throughout Midtown. Interestingly enough, all of them were men, ranging from 73 to 100. We met a man born and raised in New York City. Despite the fact that he was a 100 year old blind widow, this man took life by the handle and embraced his extraordinary situation. We then met a 80 year old man living in council housing. After being verbally abused by his landlord, this man decided to fight for his dignity and report the abusive man. We met a 78 year old, unable to get out of his bed, and a 68 year old living on a five floor walkup. Our journey was exciting, exhausting, and informative. After visiting the 9 seniors, Dora, Ben, Thorunn and I traveled home on the subway to get back in school just in time for homeroom.

Read more

Throughout our time at JASA we learned from the seniors, conversed with the coordinators/directors, and even got a little exercise for ourselves. We started our trip out in JASA’s main office at 290 9th Avenue. After stumbling into a needle bank outside the main office, we were slightly worried. But once we entered into JASA’s lovely community building, we were immediately eased. We then proceeded to start the class. The instructor took the time and had the patience to help, wait, and guide the elders to complete their given yoga assignments. After completing the hour class, we had only a little time to speak with the elders. They rushed off and we thanked Nancy, the NORCE director, and made our way home.

Read more

For our second fieldwork our group decided to learn about Palliative care with Yolanda Campbell. After meeting her in Canada, I decided that it would be amazing to do a Skype call with her and our group. Then, after some technology bumps in the road, Yolanda started answering our questions. Her responses were insightful, well thought out, and informative. She told us stories that only someone with her experience could tell, and she helped us understand the under-representation of elders. After calling her and listening to the recording, the hour conversation we had with her was truly amazing. I am 100% certain that our Skype session with her will help us write our future notecards and become more knowledgeable.

Read more

Throughout our time at Meals on Wheels we experienced new cultures, learned amazing information about senior citizens, and gave back to the elders that have made our amazing city. We started off our day with a brief seminar on how to deliver packages to the elders signed up for Meals on Wheels, while also being shown the food and purpose of the deliveries. We were not simply given five packages of food and left to roam the streets of New York City alone, but given an in depth and informative speech and lesson by one of the volunteer coordinators. After leaving the Meals on Wheels main office, we started walking to our first seniors’ building. After knocking on the door and delivering our package, Anne, our first senior citizen, invited us in for company and tea. We talked to her about her young life and her current agility and strength. After visiting four more elders within a 10 block radius of the Meals on Wheels main office, we found that certain elders seemed ashamed of their age, others needed company and comfort, and some simply wanted to take their food without small talk and banter. No matter the circumstance, the elders were happy Meals on Wheels provided for them, and wished us the best of luck on our Social Justice project.

Read more