Patriot Ridge

In July, United Church Homes presented Roger with the Spirit Award for his volunteer work at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) in Fairborn, Ohio. “It was a nice surprise. It was an honor,” said Roger, 55, of Fairborn. “I was just doing it to be pleasing to the Lord. I want to serve people.”

Roger, who grew up in Springfield, Ohio, joined the Army after graduating from Tecumseh High School. He retired from the Army in September 2014 and seven months later began volunteering at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge).

Roger visits Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) seven days a week. He talks to veterans like 96-year-old Charlie Burke. He visits residents who do not have family or friends nearby. He also takes resident dogs, Rusty and Riley, for walks several times a day.

Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) Activities Director Karen LeBlanc and other staff nominated Roger to receive the Spirit Award. “We wanted to honor him for all he’s done for the residents. He’s just a great person,” Karen said.

Bob Spruance, 95, whose wife lived at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) for more than four years, said Roger makes friends with everyone he meets at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) and in the neighborhood. “He’s just a kind-hearted, good solid Christian,” Bob said.

Phyllis Howard, 80, who has lived at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) more than two years, said Roger often visited her and her husband, Oscar, who served in World War II and the Korean War. “When my husband passed away, Roger saluted him,” Phyllis said. Phyllis said she does not have many visitors, but Roger continues to visit her almost daily. “He always speaks to me and asks me how I’m doing. It makes me feel good. It kind of cheers my day a little,” Phyllis said. “He’s a great guy, a great man.”

Roger, who is deeply religious, visits people in hospitals and long-term care communities to lift their spirits and serve God. “I’m a believer in Jesus and a follower of Him, so I want to honor Him in what we do. I just want to honor the Lord and treat people right,” Roger said.

“I love meeting people. A lot of people don’t have families or their family is far away. I’m here every day. A lot of them are going through dementia, Alzheimer’s and don’t remember what they had for breakfast or lunch. They remember people, though, and they remember Riley and Rusty.”

Roger now works at the National Air Space and Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. While in the Army, he served assignments in Germany, Kuwait, Illinois, Kansas, Wisconsin, Alabama and many other locations.

Kay Strank, who has a smartphone, laptop and tablet, knows firsthand how Skype can be used to keep in touch with family members. Now, the 76-year-old is part of an intergenerational program at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) in Fairborn, Ohio, that uses Skype, a video conferencing app, to connect residents with students more than 20 miles away at Greeneview High School in Jamestown, Ohio.

“I like connecting with the younger generation. I like hearing about what they’re doing for fun. It kind of keeps us in tune with what’s going on,” said Kay, who previously has used Skype to communicate with her daughter in Virginia.

Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) residents began Skyping with Greeneview students about three years ago after a staff member asked the school principal if students would be interested in participating in an intergenerational program, said Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) Activities Director Karen LeBlanc.

During the half-hour class every Wednesday, residents talk about their education, careers, families and experiences in the military. In September, one resident even shared her concern about family members in Florida who were affected by Hurricane Irma. The freshmen have talked about their plans for the future — where they would like to go to college and what they plan to study. Some students played musical instruments.

“When we Skype, the residents feel like they’re involved and know what’s going on in the world,” Karen said. “It’s an opportunity to bond with the younger generation.”

The class is just one of several intergenerational programs and activities offered at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge), a United Church Homes community.

Hundreds of mixed-aged programs and activities like the Skype program and Camp Ageless, a one-day youth camp at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge), exist nationwide, said Generations United Executive Director Donna Butts.

Donna said intergenerational programs are increasing due in part to the rising number of older adults in the U.S.

“People are living longer and they’re also living healthier. (Older adults are) going to continue to do that and they want to give back,” Donna said.

The programs are a win-win when relationships are formed between older adults and youth. There are psychological benefits for older adults who feel more optimistic about the future and feel they have a reason to get out of bed.

“Young people, they learn not to fear their own aging. They’re not put off by seeing older people. They’re not put off by seeing wheelchairs, walkers or someone with a cane,” Donna said.

Shanon Benton, an English teacher at Greeneview, said the class helps students with communication skills and teaches lesson planning and compassion for others. “It gets them out of the bubble of me, me, me and it shows them that we are all the same,” Shanon said.

Destiny Laymon, a freshman at Greeneview, enjoys the video chats with residents at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge).“It was very nice to hear their stories and their points of view on different subjects. It was also very neat hearing what differences there are from when they were younger to now. Things have definitely changed and it was a unique experience hearing that firsthand from people who were actually there to experience the change,” Destiny said. “This is something I will definitely remember and I hope that this continues on for other generations.”

In previous classes, Karen said Greeneview students taught residents about iPhones, iPads and apps. Residents have taught students about the “simpler life,” such as living on a farm and what it was like before cellphones, computers and the internet.

Shanon and Greeneview principal Brian Masser received the LeadingAge Ohio’s Social Commitment Award in September at the LeadingAge Ohio Awards Luncheon.

The partnership between the community and the school reflects the growing understanding that connections between elders and children, often vulnerable groups, are an essential part of our national health, according to a 2017 report from Generations United and The Eisner Foundation.

“We are grateful for the many partners who recognize the dignity and worth of older adults in their local communities,” said Kathryn Brod, president and CEO of LeadingAge Ohio. “In engaging in the Skype project, Ms. Benton and Mr. Masser are helping to foster a future generation of age-friendly Ohioans.”

Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) Administrator Stacie Ward said she is extremely grateful for the partnership with Greeneview and expects it will change the way youth see older adults.“I love the energy of the students and how they bring out the energy in our residents through their discussions and activities. I think this type of program is essential to providing abundant life in our community,” Stacie said.

Jackie Logan, 89, a resident at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge), said young children seem to be way ahead of people of her generation.“I feel like they are eons ahead of us because they have all of this equipment that we have no idea about. They’ve grown up with this and they’re way ahead of us,” Jackie said.

Jim Hutchinson, 73, another Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) resident, said Skyping with the students is interesting. “They’re so full of energy and have so much life left to live. I think we can learn a lot from each other,” Jim said.

Kay added: “Maybe they can learn that it’s not the worst thing in the world to get old.”