Citadel Cadets Make Connections with Older Generations

Earlier this month, Kempton of Charleston senior living was honored by The Citadel for being named a 2024 recipient of the Engaged Community Partner Award. This honor is presented to an organization that has worked to support the civic mission of their partnering campus and has enhanced the quality of life in the community in meaningful and measurable ways.

Located next door to The Citadel, a military college with a long and storied history in Charleston, Kempton of Charleston is benefiting from the unique partnership formed with the school.

As part of earning required community service hours, cadets from The Citadel started to visit regularly with residents of Kempton of Charleston last autumn. The senior living community offers assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation and long-term skilled care.

The cadet volunteers walk a short distance to Kempton of Charleston, where they visit with the residents: chatting, playing a game, walking, or participating in another activity that might appeal to them.

"They do whatever the resident is up for on that day," said Lindsay French, executive director of Kempton of Charleston.

Bayliss Spivey of Myrtle Beach, just completing his sophomore year at The Citadel, chose Kempton of Charleston for his service hours. The political science and general intelligence dual major thought spending time with seniors would be a great opportunity. "The residents were quick to welcome us," he said. At first, he anticipated that his responsibilities would be limited to helping the seniors. Instead, it was interacting with them. "I wasn't expecting lively and engaging conversations," he said. "But they still have so much youth in them. A lot of that has to do with Kempton of Charleston, which provides activities and comradery for the residents to keep them engaged. Their stories and insights have been amazing."

Bayliss said that the service project has been as beneficial for him, as for the residents. "I've gained a better understanding of these people who have lived incredible lives, and I was fortunate to have the opportunity of being a part of that and getting a glimpse into their past," he said. Bayliss recalled the daughter of a resident telling him about her mother winning a beauty contest and being able to meet her senator. "She pulled out a photo of John F. Kennedy to show me. It was incredible!" he said.

The best part of his service hours was having the opportunity of getting to know people who , otherwise, he'd never have the chance to talk to. "I have a new appreciation for community service in general…I have the ability, without it costing anything, to make someone's day better, to get a smile. I can take a few hours out of my week and improve their whole week. That was something I liked a lot," he said.

Another volunteer, Mason Floyd, 20, a junior, has learned a lot about life and history during his visits. He chatted with one resident who has told him about life during World War II, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War.

"He was nine during World War II, and he remembers listening to reports about it on the radio," said Mason, adding that making connections with older individuals has opened a new world for him. "They are full of knowledge and wisdom," he said. "Talking with them broadens your horizons. These people have been there and done that. They know a lot."

The residents also treasure the opportunity to interact with the cadets. Ben Moise attended The Citadel for three years in the 1960s. "I've found out that a lot has changed at The Citadel, but a lot has not," said Ben. He said he often chats with the students about their education at The Citadel, hobbies, families, and about his former career as a game warden.

Sometimes, they talk about a memoir he wrote called Ramblings of a Low Country Game Warden in South Carolina. "The cadets are interested in my book," he said.

The bond Kempton of Charleston has formed with The Citadel is growing. The senior living community has begun hosting volunteers from The Citadel's Swain Department of Nursing who volunteer at Kempton of Charleston to provide clinical services.

Ben said the program benefits both young and old.

"The program has value," he said. "The residents get to communicate with the younger generation and learn their ideas on things, and the young people get ideas from the older generation."

Even though Mason has earned all of the community service hours he needs, he plans to go back to visit Kempton of Charleston and continue those conversations.

His time visiting with residents always flies by.

"It's kind of like a coffee shop conversation, and before you know it, the time is up," he said.

Ben, for one, will be glad to see him or any of the students from The Citadel.

"They are a good, decent bunch of students," he said. "They are cordial and polite."

Kempton of Charleston

Kempton of Charleston is nestled amid the charming environs of Charleston, South Carolina—named by online financial firm WalletHub as the top place to retire in the U.S. With a range of amenities under one roof and close to Charleston's many cultural offerings, dining and shopping, the Kempton offers premier assisted living, memory care, respite care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. Kempton of Charleston is owned and operated by Liberty Senior Living, LLC, a division of Liberty Healthcare Management that specializes in senior living and retirement communities. To learn more about Kempton of Charleston, visit www.KemptonOfCharleston.com. To learn more about Liberty Senior Living and the communities they offer, please visit www.LibertySeniorLiving.com