Annual Report - Bartels Retirement Community

The interaction between residents is observed
daily at Bartels in the dining room, through activities
and as they live side by side. However, intergenerational
relationships are not always as apparent. Over the past
four years, Myrtle Waidelich has been making
connections with various Wartburg students through the
“Aging in a Changing Society” course and the
Adopt-A-Grandparent program. “I have really seen some
of them grow up through the years. There are things
these students do that I wouldn’t think of doing and
things I have experienced that they can’t believe!” says
Waidelich.
Residents also enjoy interaction with elementary school
students who partake in various activities alongside
them. Ruth Dreier likes when the kids come; she thinks
they like to visit as well. “One of the girls that visits
always looks for me so she can sit by me,” Dreier says.
The connections that are made between the residents
and these youth are irreplaceable. Lessons are learned
by all and memories are made that will last a lifetime.