I don’t know if this program is unique, but the linked news article is about one undergraduate senior and one graduate student from Quinnipiac University living at an assisted-living facility for the school year. They get free room and board, and in return must eat at least one meal per week at the facility and spend at least 8 hours/wk with residents there.
This seems like such a great opportunity for both students and residents.
As someone who has worked with the elder population for over 20 years, I can see how beneficial it can be for everyone involved . The college students can learn valuable skills for interacting with elder adults , as well as a common stereotype that elder adults are inactive with memory issues. I think it’s important for premed students to be around fairly healthy older adults so that they a have a good frame of reference that the elderly population can be quite functional . Unfortunately , I don’t see this taking off on a larger scale because facilities can make more money by renting those apartments .
What a wonderful idea. Thanks for posting