All jobs teach lessons. Every job category comes with different takeaways and experiences.
One uncommon job amongst teens is working at a retirement community, and working with senior citizens as a teen comes with its own learning experiences.
For juniors Blake Hallsten and Jackie Tighe, working in nursing homes has taught them special life lessons that will stick with them forever.
“My job has definitely made me appreciate my elders more,” Hallsten said. “…I have learned about all the hardships my residents have been through, and I respect them more because of it.”
Tighe agrees.
“I’ve learned to empathize with the residents and to control my emotions,” Tighe said. “I can’t just talk back to them when they are upset with me, so I learn to control myself.”
Hallsten and Tighe learn lessons from their residents, but the Friendship Village residents learn from the teenage employees in their community as well.
“I learned how smart teenagers are now compared to when I grew up,” Friendship Village resident Glenda Rehwinkel said. “Their English is better, even though there are a few slang words in there. I like to learn them.”
Friendship Village resident Jean Glovanovitz has had a similar experience.
“They taught me to be friendly. That is the best part,” Glovanovitz said. “I love ‘em. They always come in and give me hugs — that is the most important thing to me because I miss them so much when they go home. I hope to teach them to smile, be happy and be kind.”
Hallsten keeps up with the kindness at Nazareth Living Center, too.
“I learned how to be kind and care more about other people’s needs,” Hallsten said. “You never know what the residents are going through, so I always try to be kind, especially at the age they are at.”
Over time, Hallsten has gained many relationships with the residents at Nazareth.
“My relationship with the residents is great because it feels like I have 80 grandmas,” Hallsten said. “I love them all so much. They are all really great people, and they are really interested in my everyday life.”
Not only has Hallsten been making connections in his workplace, but residents at Friendship Village have been enjoying the teenage employees’ company in their community, too.
“I think I have a good relationship with the teenage employees here,” Friendship Village resident Sandra Koenig said. “They are very polite, they try to make my day and they are always there for me and are willing to help me when I need it.”
This seems to be a common experience within the retirement community.
“They help me anytime I ask them,” Glovanovitz said. “I know it is their job, but anything I would ask in earnest, they would comply.”
While working with the elderly could be a reason teens avoid retirement communities as a job option, Hallsten has some advice.
“My biggest takeaway from my job is to not be afraid of working at a nursing home,” Hallsten said. “I have gained so much empathy from working here. I love my job, and I love my residents even more.”
There are numerous occupations for teens to choose from, but the residents appreciate those who choose to work with them at their home.
“All teenagers can work anywhere just for money, but some of them chose to work here with us,” Rehwinkel said. “…and I like that they can talk to us every day. I tell them good morning and good night every day because they are all so nice.”
Despite the small percentage of teens who work in nursing home communities and the hardships that may come with it, many employees and residents learn so much from each other and enjoy making special connections with one another.
“They are all so sweet, they are right there when I need them and they keep me young,” Glovanovitz said. “Those kids are just great. I don’t use that word very often, but they are great — they really are.”
