The Gallen Adult Day Health Care Center (GADC) at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh was pleased to participate in the Frisch High School of Paramus’ “Take a Senior to Work Day.” The Frisch School instituted this program to encourage their high school seniors to explore different career paths as they graduate and go on to college. To this end, the Jewish Home continues in its ongoing tradition of community outreach.
![[photo]](images/snior01.jpg)
High school senior Ariel Fremed of Teaneck, interested in the field of Geriatrics, requested to be matched with GADC. Ariel has been in charge of the school’s ‘Linking the Generations’ program, which reaches out to the senior population in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living facilities, and Senior Centers. The group leads a ‘mock’ Passover Seder for the participants of GADC.
With an interest in pursing a career in Geriatrics, Ariel spent the day with GADC, getting a bird’s eye view of the Social Worker role. She sat in on an initial participant interview, observed a participant support group and joined in a family meeting to discuss their interest in admitting their loved one into the program. In addition, she interacted with the participants in a warm, engaging manner, playing cards with them, handing out lunch and accompanying them at arrival and dismissal times.
Ariel offered the following, “I had visited nursing homes as a volunteer before. The ‘Take a Senior to Work Day,’ program allowed me to experience a visit to the elderly in a professional manner. This new perspective has further persuaded me to pursue a career in Geriatric health care. Working and interacting with the participants was a rewarding experience.”
After spending the day with Ariel, a renewed appreciation has sprung for what we do with the Adult Day Care population. Regardless of the task at hand, whether it is lending an ear in a support group or helping families work through bureaucratic red tape, social workers can make a difference.