Students, Gerontology, Convocation
From senior to señora: Margaret Torgerson’s journey in gerontology
June 08, 2016
After earning a bachelor of arts in psychology and English Margaret Torgerson didn’t expect to pursue a post-baccalaureate in gerontology.
But a volunteer opportunity with Revera Arbutus—a long-term seniors’ care centre—took her on a journey with a few surprises along the way.
“I started volunteering in the restorative care program—assisting seniors with exercises—but I actually ended up learning Spanish,” says Torgerson.
“I was working with a 102-year-old woman from Venezuela and she decided to teach me Spanish during these sessions. She’s the best teacher and quite strict—at the end of a long workday I might be tired but she keeps teaching me words and phrases.”