Learn More About Us »"It is difficult to lose independence; I can’t imagine giving up my car keys. I am happy that I can help out someone who can no longer drive."
— Lois S.
November 05, 2009
Caregivers teach students about aging.
Hunched over her shopping cart and walking with the assistance of a cane, Helen Edmonds shuffled across the stage, stopping along the way to do some "shopping" for cereal and oatmeal.Behind her, a student grumbled about her "taking all day" and made disparaging remarks about her age.
When Edmonds complained that the cereal was on the top shelf that she could not reach and the oatmeal was on the bottom shelf, which was also difficult for her to reach, Leah Crick, 11, politely asked if she could help and put the items in the senior citizen's shopping cart.
The shopping skit was created by fifth-graders at Berkeley Township Elementary School who recently took an aging sensitivity training program provided by caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey.
During the training program, Linwood McWilliams, manager of the Caregiver Kids program, used a number of devices to simulate eye disease that affect the elderly and other ailments that afflict those who are older, such as arthritis.
Then, the students designed an assembly program to bring the Caregiver Kids message to their peers -- that younger people should be polite, patient and helpful to their elders.
McWilliams was a speaker at the assembly program Monday, and Lynette Whiteman, executive director of Caregivers, attended. Senior mentors who work with the students on a regular basis also participated in the program.
For example, Edmonds, a resident and retired Roxbury elementary school teacher and drama club adviser, played the role of the elderly shopper. Also helping the students were mentors Frank Avenoso of Lacey and Peg Sanders and Theresa Law, both here.
McWilliams said this is the second year the school has participated in the Caregiver Kids program. Students will eventually pay visits to residents at several assisted living programs and do such activities as playing games and making art projects with them.
"The goal will be to have an art expo featuring work by our students, the residents in the assisted living programs and our senior mentors," said Linda Waldron, a teacher of the gifted and talented in the district.
McWilliams said schools participating in the Caregiver Kids program include Toms River High School North, Brick Memorial High School, Midstreams Elementary School in Brick and Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River.
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