Jamie Eltgroth, CareGiver

Friendship Center, Santa Barbara, CA

Jamie

I work at Friendship Center because I love working with the elderly. I'm very interested in geriatrics and I get a kick out of them. Every person has something to give. I learn something new every day working with the elderly; I do a bingo class, I have a poker class, and I just like to make their days as fun as possible. They make my day fun as well.

I'm double majoring in psychology and Asian American studies. I plan to go to graduate school to get a Masters in social welfare with an emphasis on gerontology. I hope to eventually get my license in counseling and work with both the elderly and their caregivers on coping, coping with different diseases or coping with an elderly relative that needs care.

I began working with preschoolers, special-ed preschoolers. At the same time I was taking care of a 90-year old woman. It's basically the same job, but the elderly have more to offer me, more to teach me, and I just enjoy making their days fun because they make my days fun as well.

Seniors at Friendship Center

Intergenerational caregiving is teaching both. I teach the elderly what it's like to be a young person living in the world today and they teach me what it's like to be an elderly person living in the world both today as well as in the world 80 years ago.

I'm not aware of the statistics on how many people are studying in the field of gerontology and geriatrics; however, I'm ready for the baby boomers, because that's when I'll be out there working.

Honor for me is another word for respect. I find respect is very important in caregiving. Too many people don't respect the elderly and don't see them for what they're worth. I honor everyone I work with, I respect everyone I work with, and I really love it when I get the respect back, which doesn't always happen, bur you deal with it.

I love working with the elderly; I wasn't around my grandparents very much growing up. Everyone I work with now is grandparent to me.

Read about other volunteers at Friendship Center.