Stringing together the generations
When Western University graduate Heather Gingerich saw a news story about an Ohio retirement home where music students lived alongside seniors, she was amazed at the electric atmosphere as the young residents conversed with and performed for their older neighbours.
She wants to recreate that kind of environment in Canada with a program that will offer free room and board to a small group of Western University music students at a London, Ont., retirement home.
The program plans to place three Western music students at Oakcrossing Retirement Living starting in October. In exchange for free accommodation and meals, the students will spend a dozen hours a week with their elderly neighbours.
Gingerich, who works for the retirement home and graduated from Western’s music program herself, said the idea is an inter-generational opportunity for both young and old to learn from each other.
Gingerich said the interaction with students and their music will enrich the lives of the seniors. And she hopes the program can foster a grandparent-like relationship between the students and residents.
Betty Anne Younker, dean of Western’s music faculty, said she was excited about what the opportunity could bring for students.
“There’s a sense of history that seniors will bring to the table in conversations and in engagement ... our generation can learn from that,” Younker said.
According to the music program’s student council leader, the idea has received a lot of interest among students on social media.
“Students think that it’s an interesting opportunity and great for the faculty and community,” said Kyle Tang, who said that he would have applied for the program if he didn’t have housing already.
Gingerich expects the dozen hours students will spend with seniors each week will involve recitals in common rooms and impromptu concerts.
“The gift of music in the home, that could never be a negative thing,” she said.