Memory Care Support Intern | Kendal at Oberlin, Oberlin, OH
This position is part of the Friends Services Alliance (FSA) Internship program and will be held at Kendal at Oberlin, Oberlin, OH.
Overview:
Kendal at Oberlin is pleased to have the opportunity to offer an eight-week internship for the summer of 2025. The student is offered an opportunity to work with key staff on two significant projects underway at this time. The site of the internship is a 100+ acre campus in a beautiful natural setting with lawns, woodlands, walking/biking paths as well as scenery for many outdoor activities. Kendal at Oberlin will offer housing on site in one of our existing guest or cottage accommodations. Kendal at Oberlin is located a short walk from the center of Oberlin, well known for its small-town ambience and important cultural and academic traditions.
Kendal at Oberlin is a Life Plan Community founded on Quaker Values. It is one of 11 not-for-profit affiliates of the Kendal System, 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.®”
The campus features 225 Independent Living cottages/apartments; 62 Assisted Living private rooms; 12-bed memory support unit; and a 5-bed Medicare-Skilled nursing unit; an out-patient therapy department providing physical, occupational and speech therapy to residents; a Licensed Home Health Care Agency (Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice), and an extensive offering of health and wellness services. Kendal has finalized the details of their strategic plan that will take them to the year 2028. Kendal at Oberlin is home to about 350 residents who have come from 38 States across the U.S. It upholds the highest of standards for life plan retirement communities and has been accredited under the CARF-CCAC since 1997.
Health Care Internship: 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.
Project Summary:
Goal: To assist the Director of Creative Arts Therapy/ Dementia Specialist with implementing program design for Jameson Neighborhood (Memory Care Supportive Living) and to offer residential living residents a memory enhancement course.
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 who wishes to gain knowledge in providing memory enhancement techniques to assist our residents living at their optimal level of care. Reading and reference materials will be offered in advance of arrival. This internship brings the opportunity to work closely with the interdisciplinary team that includes a life enrichment coordinator, Teepa Snow-trained care partners, certified dementia practitioner, music therapist, art therapist, social services staff, nursing, nutrition/dietetics, administration, and physicians.
The intern’s eight weeks will be split between spending time helping to create additional life enriching activities for our Jameson Neighborhood memory support residents and Kendal’s dementia specialist. In the Jameson Neighborhood, the intern will implement programs designed to engage the senses to stimulate memories and make connections with others. In addition to this, the student will run a six-week memory enhancement course developed by our dementia specialist for our residential residents. The student will follow a well-developed lesson plan and work one-on-one with members to assure techniques are understood and practiced.
Learning Objectives:
• The intern will be able verbalize how dementia/cognitive loss affects memory; what can be expected from individuals with different types of dementia/cognitive loss and use this knowledge to engage residents in purposeful activities.
• The intern will acquire the information provided in the memory enhancement class and be able to teach the memory enhancement techniques to residents attending the eight-week class.
• The intern will establish relationships with residents to engage in meaningful interactions.
• The intern will be able to take responsibility for program implementation, documentation of results, and writing weekly progress reports.
• The intern will participate in team planning to meet program objectives.
• The intern will assist in design, development, and coaching individuals for success in their individualized plans.
Accommodations
Kendal at Oberlin provides housing in our duplex: two-bedroom apartment with shared living room and kitchen. Free laundry, WIFI and parking.
Apply here.
Why Intern in Aging Services?
Get experience in one of the fastest growing career sectors! The number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060. Aging Services organizations have many positions including management, marketing, social work, and IT. Friends Services Alliance (FSA) has positions available at organizations located in PA, MD and OH. Over the past 12 years, we have placed more than 60 interns in several different FSA member locations. Many of these students had not considered working in the senior living field prior to their internship.
Having – or being – an intern can be a life-changing experience. Read some success stories:
- Experiences of our past interns.
-Internships can lead to a fulfilling career change.
- Resident life can benefit from FSA interns.
As part of an initiative seeking to identify and develop the next generation of leaders, FSA has partnered with Friends Foundation for the Aging to create an internship program for students at who wish to learn about working in the field of aging services. Accepted students experience organizational life within an FSA member organization for two months during the summer. Each intern will have an onsite preceptor to ensure their success. That host will have experience in the field which will give the opportunity for the student to learn directly from a mentor. Interns have worked in several different departments, including Administration, Human Resources, Social Work and Dining Services.
Interns must receive academic credit for their experience and be supported by a faculty member of their educational institution in establishing academic goals for the project. Each intern will be supervised by an experienced onsite manager who will assist with learning goals.
Interns are provided:
- Preceptor/Host Onsite
- Possibility of a monthly stipend (2 months). Dates are flexible and arranged with the host site.
- Reimbursement for travel expenses incurred for the initial trip to and the return trip from the host site.