Author: Abby Reynolds

Today was very slow compared to the other days because two of the three marketing people were out all day on house calls.  Before a resident comes to visit Gambrill, the marketing department visits them in their home (or out at a restaurant) to give them the 4-1-1.

So, I sat in Debra’s office (the director of marketing) and answered the phone and took messages all day.  It was pretty boring because I did not get to walk around much and I was very isolated in her office.

The only exciting thing that happened was when a lady brought in a strange animal (called a Mara) that is native to Argentina.  Picture below:

Today was the first day of my second week at Gambrill.  This week I will be shadowing the marketing department.

Today, I assembled information packets all morning, helped Cathy with a bracelet making activity before lunch, and learned how to inspect a room before a new resident moves in.

I learned that there are about one or two residents moving in each week this month, so the ladies I am working with (Danielle, Debra, and Gwen) are very busy inspecting rooms and communicating with the incoming resident(s) to ensure that everything is as they requested.

I did not post on Wednesday, so I will do a bit of a longer post today to explain the past three days.

Every day this week consisted of some of the same things.  For example, there are always two exercise classes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  There is always quilting on Wednesdays.  Craft time is Monday afternoon.

Between the schedule, I follow Cathy around and make conversation with the residents.

On Thursday we (Cathy and I) spent five and a half hours organizing about 240 books for the residents into categories: fiction, non-fiction, instructional guides, and religious texts.  Then we sorted each category alphabetically by last name and put them on shelves in a common room.

Today was my favorite because we played bingo and I got to call the numbers!

Overall, the week was exciting and I enjoy spending time with the residents!  I am learning their names and some of them know mine, so it’s nice to see them around throughout the day.

Elliott, to fully answer your question about the age range at Gambrill, the oldest person there is 104!  And, the youngest is around sixty-four (Cathy’s guess.)  You must be at least sixty-two to live there.

Today I met with the Activities Director (Cathy) and spent the whole day with her. We did two exercise classes and one craft session with the residents. When Cathy is not directing a scheduled activity, she walks around through the different buildings (A-F) and interacts with the residents through puzzles, games, or conversation.

So, I followed her today and met many of the residents.  They’re all very nice so far, and many of them like to crack jokes about my age which is something I haven’t experienced.

Part of her job is keeping up relationships with the residents.  Not only to build community but to keep as many of them as possible satisfied with the activities and the schedule.

I enjoyed working with her for a day and I’m excited to spend most of my time in the next five weeks with her as well!

For the first part of my project, I will be interning at Gambrill Gardens, which is a senior living community. Their location provides both independent and assisted living facilities.  I will spend most of my time working with the activities director to organize games and/or events for the residents, but I will also assist the residents during dining hours and shadowing the head of finances.

During the second half of my project, I will be shadowing a counselor and a teacher at Parkway Southwest Middle School.

I will also take an Italian class (at St. Louis Community College) two hours per week throughout my project.