Fifty Years in Five Days

There is much talk about the distance between The Greatest Generation and The Millennial Generation, but during the week of November 7-11, 2011, ALFA made an effort to narrow that gap. Twenty-two year old Jackie Kerin, an ALFA public policy associate spent five days living the life of a typical resident of a senior living community in an initiative called Fifty Years in Five Days.

Ms. Kerin became a resident of Emeritus Senior Living at Deep Run in Richmond, VA., eating the food, sleeping in a resident apartment, and engaging in day-to-day activities—just like any other resident in the community. During the week, Ms. Kerin interviewed residents and staff, recorded her experiences through and shared them in a vlog format here at alfa.org/50in5. Jackie Kerin, DCJacqueline, also tweeted via #ALFA50in5 and encouraged followers to tweet any questions that they had about seniors, residents and/or senior living communities.

22-Year-Old Blogger Infiltrates Senior Living Community for a Week of Insights

At the end of the week, Ms. Kerin reflected on her experience and developed a list of her top ten impressions in a Press Release titled, Top Ten Impressions About Senior Living from a Young Adult. The main messages taught through the Fifty Years in Five Days campaign were:

Seniors are social. They continue to form close relationships throughout life.
Seniors stay engaged in the larger community through volunteering, etc.
Seniors are actively engaged in current events and even the latest celebrity gossip!
Residents exercise their mind and body- Taking exercise classes and going for outdoor walks, senior living residents are physically active. Seniors also take care of their minds by doing puzzles and teaching skills to one another.
Seniors continue to do the hobbies they enjoy –For example, gardening, painting, playing music, playing games (including Wii), etc.
Residents love to learn- Seniors are constantly learning and growing and they have many educational opportunities. Some educational programs are even taught by other residents.
Seniors value their independence – Residents often talked about how fortunate they feel to live in an environment that nourishes independence.

By sharing Ms. Kerin’s experiences in ALFA’s Fifty Years in Five Days program, ALFA’s goal was to help the public challenge and overcome misperceptions about seniors and senior living communities.

Fifty Years in Five Days Blog

Top Ten Impressions About Senior Living from a Young Adult

11/16/2011

There is much talk about the distance between The Greatest Generation and The Millennial Generation, but last week the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) made an effort to narrow that gap. Twenty-two year old Jackie Kerin, an ALFA public policy associate spent five days living the life of a typical resident of a senior living community in a new initiative called Fifty Years in Five Days.

Learning from My Week as a Resident

11/12/2011

I have finished my stay at Emeritus at Deep Run and I must say that I learned a lot in five short days. The insights garnered through interacting with residents and staff, participating in activities, and exploring the community inside and out will help make me a better ALFA employee, family member, and overall person.

Understanding a Resident's Past Helps Provide Future Care Plan

11/11/2011

I’m at the end of day four, and my stay is almost over. Although I have learned so much through my experiences here, I know I could learn so much more. The calendar is full of activities I haven’t tried, and each resident has a lifetime of experience to share.

Residents Are Beautiful Inside and Out

11/10/2011

Day three marked another day packed full of fun activities. I am starting to get into the swing of things and develop my own routine and favorite places to hang out. I think if I was living here long term, I would spend a lot of time walking around outside, taking bus trips, and talking with the other residents.

Pets Move in to Senior Living

11/10/2011

The healing power of animals is one that is sometimes difficult to quantify, but that many will attest improves mental health and purpose. Residents communicate and nurture their community pets. Pets make senior living communities feel like home by bringing life and love into the lives of the residents.

Senior Living Residents Are Engaged

11/09/2011

It’s hard to believe that I’m already two days into my stay at Emeritus at Deep Run, a senior living community in Richmond, Virginia. No matter what time, day or night, there is something to do or someone friendly to talk to. I am starting to feel more comfortable and at home here. I now know my way around the building and have made some friends who are happy to give me the inside scoop on what activities to try (Bingo is a favorite) or share a life lesson.

Watching Our Parents Age

11/09/2011

When talking to one resident with dementia, I also got the chance to speak with the woman’s adult daughter. The daughter was an only child, like myself, and spoke warmly of her childhood and all the great memories she had with both her parents. It was clear the mother and daughter have a great relationship, and they see each other every day. But the daughter also talked about how difficult...

Seniors Talk About Independence

11/08/2011

Seniors talk about independence, social activities and what makes their senior living community feel like home.

Senior Living Community Exercise Class

11/08/2011

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends four types of exercises for seniors: strength, balance, stretching and endurance. See how these senior living residents participate in exercise at their senior living community.

My First Day as a Resident

11/07/2011

My first day at the Emeritus at Deep Run is almost over, and I must say that I’m exhausted! There is so much to do and I have already learned a ton about senior living and about the residents themselves. Some of my preconceived notions have already been challenged. Here are some myths that were dispelled on my very first day.

My New Senior Living Apartment

11/07/2011

My new studio apartment is spacious and accommodating (TV, walk-in closet, view of the courtyard). I can certainly get used to this!

Fast Forward Fifty Years

11/02/2011

To better understand my great-grandfather’s perspective and the perspective of the thousands of other seniors living in senior living communities throughout the country, I will take on one role I have never experienced: senior living resident. Next Monday, I will be moving into the Emeritus at Deep Run community. I will fast forward fifty years and live the life of a senior living resident for five full days. Shadowing staff and residents along the way, I will eat what they eat...

Jackie Kerin

Public Policy Associate
703-562-1186
JKerin@ALFA.org