Q&A with Abby Goldberg '25
- Major: social work
- Minors: religious studies, psychology
- Field placements: Kirkhaven Nursing Home, St. Ann’s Nursing Home
When I was 10, my dad brought me and my 2 sisters to have dinner with a Holocaust survivor during the holidays because she had no family to celebrate with her. Her kindness, wisdom, and knowledge made me realize that older people have so much to give to younger generations. Since then, I’ve continued to seek out opportunities to talk with older adults.
What was your role in the recent event on campus: A Cross-Cultural Conversation on Aging, Caregiving, and End of Life?
I was asked to be a panelist — alongside faculty and a bestselling author (pictured) — because of my interest and work with older adults throughout my time at Nazareth. I was asked to share views on aging, caregiving, and end of life from a younger perspective and as someone who hopes to go into geriatric care. The audience of both professionals and caregivers had so much interest in my perspective and experience working with older adults. As someone who has less experience and different knowledge than those in the audience and the panelists, the curiosity that they had about my perspective stood out to me.
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| Guest speakers at A Cross-Cultural Conversation on Aging, Caregiving, and End of Life: Clockwise from top left: Corinne Dempsey, Ph.D., Nazareth University professor and chair in religious studies; Carol Brownstein-Evans, MSW, Ph.D., Nazareth University faculty emerita in social work; Abby Goldberg, Nazareth University social work major; and Jolene Brackey, author of Creating Moments of Joy: Along the Alzheimer's Journey. The event was sponsored by Lifespan, St. John's Senior Services, and Nazareth’s gerontology program, spiritual care program, religious studies department, and Hickey Center. |
What do you like about working with older adults?
I enjoy hearing stories from older adults' childhoods and allowing them the opportunity to share memories with me. As a young person, hearing advice from older adults who are experts in living life provides me with so many opportunities to reflect on how I’m living my life.
Is there anything you wish the public understood about aging or about working with elders?
I wish the public understood that there is so much fulfillment in working with elders. I feel like there is such a misconception that working with them is “depressing,” however people don’t realize that even as they are older, they have so much knowledge to pass on and have so much to offer to us.
What other learning experiences stand out so far in college?
It’s so hard to pick just a few because I’ve had so many experiences that have helped me grow both personally and professionally, including:
- In the spring, I participated in a Naz Alternative Break that gave me the opportunity to learn about sustainability and vegan eating at a cow sanctuary in Pennsylvania. (We even got to cuddle cows!)
- Naz Solidarity and Social Justice retreats at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, and The March (studying the Holocaust) in Germany and Poland.
What impact do you hope to have as a social worker?
As a social worker, I hope to be known as someone who takes the time to listen to the people that I’m working with. With high caseloads, it can be difficult to take the time to sit with older adults to listen to their stories and concerns. I hope to take this time to listen and connect with them to allow them to realize that they have meaning and purpose, even as they age.
