Careers in Aging Internship Offered 4 Teaneck high school students range of experiences

The 2023 Exploring Careers in Aging internship program offered four Teaneck High School students a diverse range of experiences and learning opportunities.

The interns visited aging-services and long-term-care programs across Bergen County while also attending in-person and virtual learning sessions on topics ranging from technology-in-aging to elder law to geriatric medicine to universal architecture design.
 
Throughout the month, interns Aamena, Camila, Mindi and Reem worked in hands-on roles in a variety of settings – scooping out ice cream sundaes at one senior center, joining in a chair hockey match at another, helping residents of an independent living residence resolve their phone and digital technology challenges, just to name a few examples. 
 
The interns also participated in a range of learning sessions focused on topics such as ageism, portrayals of aging in media, justice and equity in aging, and the challenges faced by family caregivers. With the knowledge, they gained, each intern researched a topic of their choosing and presented about it at their graduation ceremony on Aug. 3 at The Brookdale.

Slide show presentation of this year's internship.

This summer’s internship marked the 4th time Age-Friendly Teaneck has been able to offer such an opportunity to Teaneck’s young people. The program would not be possible without the leadership of Age-Friendly Teaneck volunteer Ellen Rand, who leads many of the learning sessions, and the assistance and input of Yvonne Witter of The FORUM at Teaneck High School.
 
Our thanks to Ellen and Yvonne as well as the many organizations and representatives who donated their time and expertise to his internship: 
Robert Romano, Andora & Romano LLC
Bergen County Division of Senior Services
Michele Ogden, Bergen Volunteers
Justin Smith, Direct Supply
The Russell Berrie Institute for Simulation Learning, Holy Name Medical Center
Dr. Odessa Hoinkis
Five Star Premier Residences of Teaneck
J&J Pharmacy
Jewish Family and Children Services of Northern New Jersey
The Jewish Home at Rockleigh
Kaplen JCC on the Palisades
Angie Honza, Odessa Connect
Passaic County Architect Andrew Thompson
Dr. Hector Mora
Richard Rodda Senior Recreation Center
Ridgefield Park Senior Center
Dr. Lauren Snedecker, Rutgers School of Social Work