Overview:
Kendal at Oberlin is a Life Plan Community founded on Quaker Values. It celebrated its 30th anniversary in the fall of 2023. Kendal at Oberlin is one of 11 not-for-profit affiliates of the Kendal system. It is a nationally recognized family of life plan communities and services for seniors guided by its Values & Practices designed to create conditions that foster independence, well-being, security, and fulfillment in later years. Kendal at Oberlin has been an innovator in introducing new programs such as Kendal at Home, now serving older adults across Ohio and beyond. Kendal also provides home and community-based services in the larger community through a partnership with Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice. Through such partnerships, Kendal is committed to a system-wide effort: “Together, transforming the experience of aging.®”
Internship Description:
Kendal at Oberlin has continued to contribute to the educational advancement of students in the field of aging. Over 30+ years of service, Kendal at Oberlin staff and residents have offered their expertise in training students in the fields of Nursing Home and Assisted Living Administration, Nursing, Therapy Services, Creative Arts Therapy Services, Nutrition, Finance, Marketing, and Fitness. As a community, Kendal believes it is our responsibility to share our learning with those who are actively participating in educational advancement and health career aspirations.
Kendal Early Learning Center (KELC) is a leader in person-centered intergenerational programming in Ohio for the children of Kendal at Oberlin staff members and families from the surrounding community.
KELC will unite generations with relationships that have lasting positive effects on the lives of the children and residents. This will be accomplished using an educational curriculum focusing on the needs and interests of each child and on the interests and talents of each resident according to Kendal’s person-centered philosophy. KELC will maintain an environment that is aligned to NAEYC’s quality benchmarks and adheres to our mission to develop fiscal viability through community and philanthropic resources.
It is our mission at KELC to provide the families of on-site employees and families from the surrounding community with a high-quality educational program founded on Kendal’s Quaker-based Values and Practices, which provides the following: a written, evidence-based comprehensive curriculum; diverse enrollment of all income levels from the local community; safe secure environment in an intergenerational setting; and trained and experienced teaching staff.
Our unique intergenerational program, combined with the creative curriculum, provides a balanced approach for young children to learn and grow. We provide programming for preschool children and we currently have openings available.
Project Summary
Goal: To assist the Creative Arts Therapy Department and Early Learning Center with implementing a program design for using technology to enhance intergenerational interactions between our pre-school learners and our Stephens Care Center adults. In addition to learning how the intergenerational program we offer benefits our community as a whole.
Kendal at Oberlin is looking for an energetic student who wishes to work in long term care, has a basic understanding of dementia/cognitive loss, and has skills with technology. This internship brings the opportunity to work closely with the interdisciplinary team that includes the Early Learning Center teachers, music therapist, art therapist, social services, nursing, nutrition/dietetics, administration, and physicians.
The intern’s eight weeks will be split between working closely with the Early Learning Center and the Creative Arts Therapy Department. The student will help implement a program around our newly acquired Tovertafel, and our LinkedSenior digital platform.
Kendal would like to utilize this new device for intergenerational opportunities as well as one-on-one engagement with some of our older adults.
In addition to developing and implementing a Tovertafel program, the student would be trained in how to use our current LinkedSenior digital platform to engage residents in small groups and one-on-one settings.