CONVERSATION WITH AN OLDER ADULT

1. CONVERSATION WITH AN OLDER ADULT Aaron Botton Delores Burstyn, Baba SW 5720

2. Baba means Grandmother in Yiddish. Her family immigrated to Canada from Russia sometime in the 1900’s.

3. Delores is mentally aware but sometimes struggles with names and details. • She experiences some mobility difficulties, but can walk without assistance • My Baba smiles a lot. She has many fond memories and is happy on a day-to-day basis • Delores likes to swim, read and spend time with her grandchildren • Delores had experienced loneliness in the past, but is very happy with her hobbies, friends and family My Baba and I spoke over the phone to complete this project. Shortly after my Grandfather passed away, she moved in with her youngest daughter and lives with them in Toronto, Ontario. Section 1Description of Delores

4. Delores had 2 brothers and a younger sister and grew up during World War Two. Some of her family experience horrible atrocities committed by Nazis. For her, family is so important because in an instant, it can be lost forever. She explains how grateful she was to be growing up in a free society which accepted Jews. She had experienced anti-Semitism in her life, though she never let it bother her. • Delores was married 55 years before her husband, Morton Burstyn, passed away in 2004. He was a realtor and they raised a family in Windsor, Ontario. She has 5 children and 9 grandchildren. She has traveled all around the world in her life and loves to learn about ancient and modern civilizations. Her favorite place to visit is Spain, and has been there 6 times. • My Baba explained how important education was for her family. She wanted all of her children and her grandchildren to have a future and education is the only way to guarantee it. Delores never attended university herself, but believes in it strongly and is very proud of her family for pursuing a higher education. Section 2Summary of Conversation

5. Delores has experienced many hardships in her life, but so much more joy and celebration, that she believes her whole life was wonderful. • She has some feelings of anxiety from being a “burden” on her daughter’s family. Filial Responsibility explains this process is normal and a great help to the senior. It can also strengthen the bond between family members and provide mutual support. • Delores explains some of her health difficulties and how they impact daily living. She struggles with her short-term memory forgetting recent events but having no trouble with older memories. The could be the early signs of dementia; she will be 88 in October. When she needs full-time care she is prepared to live in a care facility, but is nervous to lose her independence. • She has strong religious beliefs and is not afraid to die. She believes in the afterlife as described by Judaism and takes comfort in Jewish celebrations, prayer and tradition. Section 3Analysis

6. I have so many amazing memories with my Baba; she has been a role model, supported me emotionally, and always treated me with dignity and respect. I was so lucky to grow up with her before she moved. We see each other2-3 times a year, usually during the holidays and summer. She explained how when she was young, she didn't want to age. Now as an older adult, she would not want to be any other age, aside from some health issues. I can relate to that; I was not looking forward to senescence. But after our conversation, I felt surprisingly reassured. Aging is not synonymous with poor health, loneliness or frailty. We can be active in our later years and as this course teaches, sexually active. This project helped me get a better understanding of the life of a senior and I was surprised to see how much we have in common. Section 4Self analysis Misato and I

7. ReferencesPhilips, J., Ajrouch, K., Hillcoat-Nalletamby, s. (2010). Key Concepts In Social Gerontology. London, England: Sage Publications Ltd.