One More RPP Adventure

We ended our summer season of trips with a late afternoon sail in Annapolis, Maryland. Because this happened on September 30, 2023, we should have called it our fall sail. No matter how you look at it, it was memorable, for sure.

This particular adventure was a rain or shine experience, and you had to purchase tickets weeks in advance. In other words, no refunds. 

It was a cloudy day, and there was the possibility for intermittent showers. The boat’s captain was optimistic, assuring us the chance of rain was small. However, thirty minutes in and it started to rain. Twenty minutes later we were soaked. A few of us were smart enough to wear rain jackets with hoods. The crew were kind enough to pass out thin plastic mock rain ponchos (we looked like we were wearing garbage bags with hoods). It was beyond laughable.

Rain from above, water from the sea… Yes, it was coming from every direction – nonstop. I was waiting for an uprising from the residents. I looked around, wondering who would lead the charge. Who would be the first to declare mutiny? I had my suspicions.

That was a long two hours. Of course, no sooner after docking, the rain stopped. (Are you surprised? I am not. Isn’t that the way it always is?) 

Shortly after, we were on the bus making our way to dinner. As we walked into the restaurant, I felt as if we were doing a walk of shame. It was packed and everyone there was eating, drinking, talking and laughing, and DRY, and looking at us! We looked exhausted, beaten down by life and, of course, WET! We were shivering, too. What a sad, pathetic group we were.

With drink and sustenance, we soon perked up – talking, laughing and even poking fun at our misfortune, and at ourselves. What are you going to do?! You can’t be miserable forever. In case you didn’t know, laughing at yourself is the best way to deal with negative circumstances. It’s true! Laughing at yourself improves your confidence, self-awareness and more importantly, your mental health. 

I’ve been working at Roland Park Place (RPP), a Senior Living Community for 15 months. I work in the Programs & Special Events Department, creating activities for our seniors, who are well educated, smart, funny, and thriving, and who are determined to stay involved in their community. They really are an impressive group. As I have written before, I feel like I am in a masterclass, and I get paid for attending! (Don’t misunderstand me… This job is full of challenge and triumph, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world, for now.) 

"I am learning a lot," says the man who fears age. You can’t work in this community if you’re not going to invest in these people’s lives. For better or for worse, we are a family. Much has changed since I started. I have befriended many people, and in such a short time. I am already beginning to see significant changes in my friends’ lives, especially as it pertains to their overall health. 

As we age, it’s normal to experience challenges with our physical health. The most significant are related to our heart, bones – fractures, muscles – losing strength, flexibility and endurance, brain – a decline in memory and cognition, and eyes and ears – irreversible blindness or low vision, and significant hearing loss. And let’s not forget mental disorders. I recently read, one in four older adults will experience depression and/or anxiety. 

When I am with our residents, I admittedly lose sight of their age. Too often I feel like I am just spending time with my friends. On other occasions, I feel like I am with my research patients – learning medical histories, offering advice and thinking to myself – I’ll see you at your next scheduled appointment. 

In every situation, one must know their place, and I know mine. My job is to be creative, developing educational, fun and community driven activities. However, I feel as if I have a bigger purpose, and that’s to listen. Everyone just wants to be heard, and too many of us lose sight of this, at one time or another.

My required lunch and break time is always spent chatting with the residents, listening to their stories, which run the gamut. I also find myself stopping by work on the weekends after I visit my market nearby, to check on those residents who are a bit more challenged and don’t have family and friends close by. 

I recently learned something about myself as this post clearly proves. I enjoy spending time with the RPP residents because they are a link to what I have missed in life but still have no regrets.

When I see our RPP residents, I see my parents. In a “normal” world, at this age in my life, I always imagined taking care of them. I always thought I would be their caregiver, and I would have been happy with that choice. My parents’ prejudice, ignorance and religion stopped that from happening.

I am happy to be working with a company and a group of residents who promote diversity, equity and inclusion. What makes me even happier is that I can spend time with residents who, like me, can appreciate a ridiculously awful, fun time. 

Dear Residents, the next time I take you out to sail, I promise there will be sunshine… Lots and lots of sunshine. Thank you for adding a bit more sunshine into this sometimes weary traveler’s life. It means the world to me. – paerki 

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