Hi everyone, my name is Daphine, and I’m a junior at Georgia State. This is my first year in the Social Work program. I’m still exploring which path I want to pursue. Right now, I’m torn between gerontological social work and family and children, which is one of the reasons I decided to take this class. Currently, I’m an Assistant Bakery Manager, and I’ve been working in bakeries for the last 15 years. I can bake anything under the sun and also decorate cakes. One day, I decided to make a career change and follow a childhood dream of mine—to become a social worker.
I have a lot of personal and professional experience with older adults. My grandmother raised me from the age of two. She grew up during the Jim Crow era, and the stories she shared made me aware of and proud of my culture. Many of the values I carry as an adult came from the wisdom she passed down. She also encouraged me to embrace my creativity, which I still use in my work today. She planned for her later years, so she lived life on her own terms. Some of my favorite memories with her include gardening, cooking, baking, visiting museums, traveling, and, of course, shopping. When she passed, I remembered how she always wanted me to follow my dreams—that’s what led me to pursue social work.
Professionally, I have hired and worked alongside older adults, and they were always my most reliable team members. While their pace was sometimes slower than younger employees, they were consistent, thorough, and dependable. Working with them taught me patience and helped me develop empathy and understanding toward older generations.
I hope to gain more knowledge about gerontological social work. Before this class, I honestly had never heard of the field, but once I researched it, I was immediately drawn to it and wanted to learn more.
When I think of older adulthood, the word that comes to mind is freedom. That’s what I saw growing up. My grandmother came and went as she pleased, no longer tied to a job or pressured to conform to what others wanted her to be. She embraced who she was fully and unapologetically. To me, that’s true freedom.
Personally, I consider 65 to be the age of becoming an older adult. I hope to truly feel 65 when I get there and embrace my older years—the gray hair, the wrinkles, and the wisdom. Heart disease runs in my family, and that is my biggest concern about aging. My grandmother remained fairly healthy until the end of her life, but my father suffered from heart disease and never reached 65. Knowing this motivates me to take care of my health now so I can prevent issues later.
When I reach older adulthood, I plan to relax and enjoy life. I’ve worked hard as a young and middle-aged adult, often missing out on things, so I want my later years to be filled with traveling, shopping, and spending time with family. I want to be the home everyone gathers at for the holidays and casual visits.
The only part of aging that truly scares me is dementia. I have an uncle who is in the early stages, and it has been hard to watch. His personality has changed, he becomes agitated, and sometimes he disappears for days. It’s more than memory loss—it affects mood, relationships, and independence. That’s something I fear, though I hope that one day there will be better treatments or even a cure.
Whatever aging brings, I intend to embrace it. When I was younger, I hated the thought of getting older because of the stigma and challenges associated with it. But now I see aging as a privilege. Growing old is something not everyone gets to experience, and I won’t take it lightly.
Hey Daphne, Thank you so much for your post! My grandmother was also raised during the Jim Crow era, specifically at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Hearing stories from women like our grandmothers makes me feel so proud to know them because of their resilience and the wisdom they passed down. I’m really happy that your grandmother gave you the tools and knowledge to pursue your dreams, and I’m glad that led you to social work. I know she is very proud of you, and I am too! 🙂
Hi Daphine! Thanks for sharing so much. I loved hearing about your grandmother. It truly is a blessing to be able to live life on your own terms at any point in our lives, but especially in later life. I also hope to be able to travel in my later years. I’ve worked full-time since I was 18, and now that I’m a full-time student in my 30s and work part-time, I still find it hard to set aside the time or money for travel.
Hi Daphine,
I’m currently in my Master’s program (MSW), and since you’re deciding between Geriatrics and Family & Children Social Work, my best advice is to allow your heart to lead you. I say this because only you truly know where your passion lies.
I’ve spent 10 years working with the Division of Family and Children Services. It hasn’t always been easy—there are many difficult situations—but I’ve found joy in serving vulnerable populations, both children and adults.
I think it’s amazing that you reflect on your family history to help guide your present and future. I do the same. In my family, most of the women have not lived past age 65. My grandmother’s sister lived longer, but strokes and diabetes are very common on my father’s side. On my mother’s side, asthma is a major concern. I even wrote on my blog about how dementia is something I often worry about for myself.
I’m sorry to hear about your uncle. The best advice I can give is to be patient with him, make sure he is well cared for, and spend as much time with him as you can.
Daphne,
I love your reference to older adulthood as freedom. I often say we need to redefine retirement as choice – so I think we are on the same page there. As you read Aronson, you will learn that many people know nothing of gerontology, and it hasn’t been around officially for very long. In our country, we don’t have great respect for older adults and the idea that they are a distinct group – medically and socially – is often overlooked. I think you will enjoy her book.
And Cruikshank immediately challenges the messages that threaten to restrict that freedom you talk about. She brings a new perspective on theories of aging that I think will resonate for you. Heart disease and dementia are shared fears of aging. I think fear is greater when we talk about dementia. I know how much harder it is to be clinical and objective regarding this disease when you are watching someone live with it. There is nothing easy, but I think you will gain some additional insights from Jim Fox in our first podcast discussion.
You have a perspective about aging that you bring with you from your grandmother. Even though she may not have been with you into old age, she gave you a view of what aging is all about. You are lucky to have that, as many people no longer live close to grandparents.
I look forward to many conversations.
Dr P