A group of students have been using their education to help support the elders in their community.
Four graduate students from Dominican University’s School of Social Work in River Forest created a series of senior-centered initiatives serving residents of the Oak Park Arms Senior Living Community earlier this year, the retirement community announced last week. Developed as part of a community practice course at Dominican, the students created multiple programs to promote social connection, emotional well-being, and interaction for Oak Park Arms residents.
The students ran a grief support group, a book club and a twice-weekly social luncheon all to promote friendships, mutual-support and connection among the center’s residents.
Program leaders Camille Gallo, Mayra Olivares, Jazmine Martinez and Samantha Deuchler are all pursuing their masters of social work at Dominican. Gallo, who’s been working as an intern at the center while pursuing her advanced degree, led the team of students as they developed and implemented the program over the last four months.
“Our goal was to design initiatives that reflect the interests and needs of residents while strengthening the sense of community within Oak Park Arms,” Gallo said. “It’s been incredible to witness the relationships forming.”
Oak Park Arms is an independent living senior community, meaning that most residents do not need assistance with daily living activities.
The students’ work is responding to a serious public health challenge, as more than a third of older Americans report dealing with loneliness, according to the University of Michigan. Loneliness can have a profound impact on health outcomes for seniors, as experiences of social isolation positively correlate with a 50% increased risk of dementia, according to the CDC.
Social isolation is associated with a 30% increase in risk for heart attack, stroke and premature death, according to the Journal of the American Heart Association. Low levels of social engagement also increase seniors’ risk of suffering a fall that results in hospitalization, according to a study published in Scientific Reports.
The team of graduate students are currently planning a collaboration with the Huskie Helpers, a volunteer group from Oak Park and River Forest High School, with the goal of fostering intergenerational connection and shared community service projects, the center said.
“The partnership between Dominican University’s School of Social Work graduate students and our residents at Oak Park Arms has been truly inspiring,” said Moses Williams, executive director of the Oak Park Arms. “The thoughtful and resident-centered initiatives developed by Camille, Mayra, Jazmine, and Samantha have already fostered deeper connections and enhanced well-being within our community.”