Widows help college students understand aging

  • Published
  • By Jodi L. Jordan
  • Air Force Enlisted Village
SHALIMAR, Fla. (AFPN) --  The two ladies share lunch almost every Friday. They talk and eat, but mostly they laugh.

At first glance, they seem very different. More than 50 years separate them in age. One is in the camouflage uniform of an Airman, the other uses a cane because of hip and knee surgeries. But these two have found a common bond of friendship and learning, thanks to a cooperative program with the University of West Florida.

Sue Lell is one of two residents at the Air Force Enlisted Village here who have volunteered to work with students from the Adulthood and Aging Psychology Course at UWF Emerald Coast. The course addresses psychological issues that can arise during the adult lifespan.

Dr. Diane Dodendorf, the instructor for the class, requires students to conduct weekly interviews with senior citizens to gain practical experience. She gives students a list of various retirement and assisted-living residences in the community, and the students must then contact the residences and find a willing partner for their interviews.

“It’s a way for them to apply what they’re learning from the textbook,” Dr. Dodendorf said. “They’re learning there’s a lot to be gained by spending time with older people, listening and appreciating their skills and abilities.”

Two students this term chose to work with women from the Air Force Enlisted Village. The village provides homes to the widows of retired enlisted Airmen. 

Mrs. Lell was paired with Senior Airman Heather Puhl, a psychology major who is stationed at the 728th Air Control Squadron at nearby Eglin Air Force Base. Airman Puhl chose to work with someone from the Air Force Enlisted Village because she knew that the residents have an understanding of the military.

“Some people from the older generations may not be as familiar with women being in the service,” Airman Puhl said. “I thought someone out here would be more comfortable with me showing up in uniform for the interviews.”

D.J. Moore, another psychology major from the class, worked with Florence Michelangelo.

“We play gin rummy and Chinese checkers,” Mrs. Michelangelo said. “He’s very polite and nice. I think he enjoys it.”

Games are a good way for the pairs to get to know one another, according to Dr. Dodendorf said. Most of the visits are unstructured she said, although sometimes she will give the students specific assignments to talk over with their new friends. These visits can help students understand the process of aging, Dr. Dodendorf said.

“There’s a stereotype of older adults going downhill, forgetting things. That’s not the case,” Airman Puhl said. “People assume it’s inevitable, but it’s not.”

“It’s the same thing as with teenagers,” Mrs. Lell said. “You always hear about the bad ones.”

One thing Mrs. Lell wanted Airman Puhl to take back was the knowledge that aging doesn’t mean stagnating, she said.

“Older people are not ‘old’ people,” Mrs. Lell said. “Our minds still think young thoughts, and we’re not something to be put on a shelf.”

For more information on the Air Force Enlisted Village, visit their Web site at www.afenlistedwidows.org , or call (800) 258-1413.