The Life Course Scholars Program has transformed the way I understand the aging process and the lived experience of elders in my communities. Our population is aging, and it is crucial that current and future planners develop greater empathy for elders to enhance their engagement within their communities. Age-equitable societies that understand the reasons why individuals age differently will ensure that no neighbors are left behind. Further, learning how ageism is the last socially-acceptable prejudice and the many ways it presents itself in conversation, hiring, media, etc. has opened my eyes to the dangers and pervasiveness of ageist rhetoric. I am now much more cognizant of implicit and explicit age-based discrimination and will engage in conversations when ageism must be addressed.
Further, incorporating interviews with my grandmothers into the course work has vastly enhanced my appreciation for their backgrounds and wisdom. I feel much closer to these incredible women in my life, and I am so grateful to have taken a course in which intergenerational connections like these were encouraged. Understanding the ways in which individuals of different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, or ages are uniquely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic has contextualized the global chaos we currently live in and provided nuance to my understanding of the struggles of isolated older adults. My grandmothers are quarantined alone and thousands of miles away from me, making me wonder if their neighbors are supporting them the way they should be. Am I supporting my neighbors the way I should be? The answer is right now is no, but I know that this course has inspired me to pay extra attention to the elders around me and the ways in which they can better be supported. I will carry this awareness into my future advocacy efforts and career.
I feel so lucky to have joined this incredibly supportive group of scholars in: exploring affordable housing options for seniors in San Diego, sharing thoughts during Book Club, learning about each-others’ Elderly-Persons, and in taking a virtual tour of each-others’ neighborhoods as they fit into the WHO’s Age Friendly Cities Guide. I have learned as much from the course material and professors as I have from my fellow class mates -- a powerful testament to the interdisciplinary, academically-empowering community LCS has created. I’m eager to follow the many ways in which our incredible LCSers improve their communities, our nation, and the world.
Further, incorporating interviews with my grandmothers into the course work has vastly enhanced my appreciation for their backgrounds and wisdom. I feel much closer to these incredible women in my life, and I am so grateful to have taken a course in which intergenerational connections like these were encouraged. Understanding the ways in which individuals of different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, or ages are uniquely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic has contextualized the global chaos we currently live in and provided nuance to my understanding of the struggles of isolated older adults. My grandmothers are quarantined alone and thousands of miles away from me, making me wonder if their neighbors are supporting them the way they should be. Am I supporting my neighbors the way I should be? The answer is right now is no, but I know that this course has inspired me to pay extra attention to the elders around me and the ways in which they can better be supported. I will carry this awareness into my future advocacy efforts and career.
I feel so lucky to have joined this incredibly supportive group of scholars in: exploring affordable housing options for seniors in San Diego, sharing thoughts during Book Club, learning about each-others’ Elderly-Persons, and in taking a virtual tour of each-others’ neighborhoods as they fit into the WHO’s Age Friendly Cities Guide. I have learned as much from the course material and professors as I have from my fellow class mates -- a powerful testament to the interdisciplinary, academically-empowering community LCS has created. I’m eager to follow the many ways in which our incredible LCSers improve their communities, our nation, and the world.