I stood in the corner of the hospital room, fighting back tears. I had always been proud of having a great-grandmother, and I didn’t want to lose her. She was the biggest football fan, and I spent many hours watching it with her on Sundays.
In college, many of us forget about the elderly. We rarely come in contact with them; they never seem to pop that college bubble. However, many of them are at a time in their lives where they do not have many friends and loved ones around. They often become lonely or depressed, especially if their spouse has already passed away.
Even if you think you can’t relate to someone who is decades older than you, there is common ground if you dig. My great-grandmother loved Auburn more than anyone I know. We shared that bond.
Take some time to visit the elderly in your family. They have some great stories to tell, all you have to do is be patient sometimes. I often pick my grandparents’ brains about what Auburn was like in the 1950s. There were dorms back then specifically for married couples. Today, that is unheard of.
Many elderly people have fascinating insight into today’s society. Even if they didn't have the same technology then as we do today, they still had many similar experiences as teenagers and young adults. The answer to “how did you do that without an iPhone?” is surprisingly simple.
Even if your relatives are too far away to visit regularly, there are opportunities to spend time with the elderly here in Auburn. I am in choir, and we perform at a retirement home at least once per semester. IMPACT, the University’s volunteer resource center, takes trips to retirement homes twice per week. Many people in these homes have no visitors, and they will appreciate someone coming to spend time with them. It could easily be he best part of their day.
If you don’t have time to visit, you an always send cards and letters. A pen pal is a timeless tradition that can be flexible around your schedule. It is also a great way to have a conversation with someone who is hard of hearing. You also have a tangible record of some crazy stories, some better than the ones on TV.
Take some time to invest in an elderly person. Whether you visit a retirement home, write letters or simply helping with groceries, your effort will be appreciated and you will probably gain a new friend.
In the meantime, call your grandma — she will love to hear from you.
Maria is the Assistant Copy Editor for The Auburn Plainsman. She can be reached at copy@theplainsman.com
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
