Getty Simbarasi

What sparked your interest in the Adult Development and Aging class, Getty?

Susan Aglukark

Career Decisions Made Easy

Burman University’s psychology faculty’s successful integration of theory and practice was extended last fall with the addition of a new class to the curriculum: Adult Development and Aging. One of the course requirements is that students spend a minimum of 20 hours volunteering at Royal Oak Village, a senior centre within walking distance of the campus. Getty Simbarasi, one of the students, highly recommends this new class by Dr. Dadria Lewis.

I was interested in this class because I’ve always considered aging such a great gift. My cultural background is Zimbabwean. My maternal grandmother raised me until I went to a boarding school in my teens. In my formative years, I watched as my grandparents took care of their parents. And then, when I was in Michigan, I worked as a direct care assistant at an assisted living facility. While there, I was privileged to provide care for the vulnerable elderly and encountered some of the illnesses that impact aging groups the most. So I anticipated that with this course I would gain a deeper understanding of ways to differentiate between normal aging and mental illnesses that need medical attention. I was not disappointed.

What did you learn that was of particular interest?

The class reinforced what I had known: How we take care of ourselves when we are young and in our prime has a lasting impact. I had to come to terms with the fact that exercise and eating my fruits and veggies reduces my chances of suffering from severe health issues as I age.

The class also taught me that elder abuse can take various forms in addition to sexual abuse. For example, infantilizing the elderly is a form of abuse. So is overlooking mental illness and conflating its symptoms with normal aging. I learned to recognize signs of abuse and how to address it through advocacy and other ways.

This was also the first class I had ever taken that included practical experience so that I learned to integrate theory with practice. It was remarkable! I learned so much!

What were your responsibilities at Royal Oak?

One of my primary responsibilities was to simply spend time with the residents and listen to them. One lady told me of her pen pal in West Africa and of the letters and small gifts they exchanged over the years. They lost contact, but she thinks of her often. It got me thinking about how friends and companions play such a huge role. As we age, our fondness for them will not just disappear even though time has intervened. We are wired for connection regardless of age.

I also assisted the activities director with organized games and outings. For instance, I helped one resident in a wheelchair enjoy an outing to the Gull Lake Honey Company. Whenever she saw me after that, she told her companions about our day together. I felt so honoured that she remembered me.

Did your experience at Royal Oak lead to career discussions?

Yes! My supervisors commented on my great relationships with the residents. They told me that if an employment opportunity opened up, they would consider me. Volunteering at Royal Oak also sparked my interest in the field of gerontology, one of the five concentrations Burman’s psychology program offers. It is definitely one of the areas I am now considering getting into.