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University Daily Kansan, March 4, 1983
Student enjoys visits to home, organizes club to help elderly
By MARGARET SAFRANEK Staff Reporter
Visiting the elderly at Autumn Manor has been on Kate Sanders' weekly calendar since September.
But she said it was the frustration of having so many friends at the nursing home and not having enough time with her, so he her to form the KU Gerontology Club.
"The more I got to know the people, the harder it was to decide who to take out for an afternoon," Sanders, St. Louis sophomore, said. "With a group of us going out there, we will be able to give a lot of them some attention."
BOTH SANDERS and Karla Watkins, who does social service work at Autumn Manor, said many of the residents at the home had few local friends or relatives and were not able to get out on their own.
"Many of these people have no family, nothing," said Sanders. "They have been placed in the home, and now it's as though there is total disregard for them as people. They still like to get along with places and interact with other people."
Watkins said some of the residents used to talk only to the home's staff.
"They have a lot of interaction with the staff, but it is good for them to have more than that, to be involved with more people than just us. It helps them to realize that they are not forgotten," said Watkins.
Sanders said "forgotten" was the word that lingered in her mind after her first trip to Autumn Manor. The image of the elderly in the home, with few
visitors, has stuck with her week after week.
SOME DAYS, she goes just to visit with the residents. Other days, she takes them out for a short drive or a coffee shop. A trip one afternoon to her residence hall room was also a treat for the Autumn Manor residents, she said.
"They really enjoy getting out and around. The afternoon I brought them up to my dorm room and introduced them to my friends, they just loved it," she said. "They are thrilled to have someone come to visit them, and have a good time going out for the afternoon, they have something to look forward to."
Sanders said the Gerontology Club would visit people at Autumn Manor once a week. She said she hoped the group would be able to raise money to take the residents on afternoon excursions — out for coffee, to a matinee or downtown to go shopping. But her primary goal is to involve students who are willing to give their time.
SANDERS SAID the Gerontology Club had 10 members, and she hoped to recruit as many interested students as possible. If the club attracts enough members it will be able to start nursing the older Lawrence nursing homes, she said.
"It's only a few hours a week," she said, "but it's the highlight of the week."
Sanders said she expected more interest in the club than she has had since she started promoting it a month ago.
like this. It really amazes me. I just keep thinking to myself, "Doesn't everyone have a grandmother or grandfather?"
"I thought there would be more students interested in doing something
Edith Black, assistant dean of the School of Social Welfare, said some of the students in that school had gerontology-related practicums, but the school did not have a club like Saunders'. Those students already spend two days a week working with clients served by various social service agencies and, said Black, don't have much free time for volunteer work.
WATKINS SAID no other groups were as committed as Sanders'.
"Occasionally we have a group come out to perform, someone to sing for the residents or something like that, but nothing like Kate's weekly commitment to the residents," she said. Her visitors were really special to the residents.
Sanders said anyone interested in joining the club for the weekly visits to Autumn Manor could contact her at McColm Hall 864-6200.
On campus
TODAY
THE BIOLOGY CLUB will meet at 4 p.m. in the Sunflower Room of the
THE INTER-VARSITY CHRISTIAN
FELLOWSHIP will meet at 7 p.m. in
the Pine Room of the Union.
HARAMBEE will meet at 7 p.m. in the Lewis Hall fireplace room.
Writer and wife found dead
By United Press International
LONDON — Arthur Koestler, a celebrated political writer and a long-time advocate of mercy killing, was found dead yesterday with his wife in an apparent double suicide at their home. He was 77.
Collegues said the Hungarian-born author of "Darkness at Noon," — a devastating insight into Stalin's power — has been suffering from Parkinson's disease.
POLICE said he died with his third wife, Cynthia, who was in her 50s. She was also a member of the voluntary euthanasia group called "Exit."
SCOTLAND YARD said the bodies were found sitting in two chairs and
they ruled out homicide pending the results of an autopsy Friday.
"There are no suspicious circumstances and no one else is involved," a police source said. Another source said it appeared the couple died of a barbiturate overdose in an apparent suicide pact.
The Keoestlers' maid alerted police when she found a note beside an empty bottle of pills in their house in the Knightsbridge Knightbridge section of London.
A best-selling novelist, Koester switched midway through his career to writing about science, psychology and the human condition. Author Brian Inglis, who worked closely with Koester in his efforts to raise money
for parapsychology research, said the news of Koestler's death was not completely unexpected.
"AUTHOUGH HE was just as bright mentally, his physical condition had deteriorated appalling in the past few months," Inglis said. "He was suffering from Parkinson's disease." — a form of paralysis.
Two years ago Koehler was made an honorary vice president of Exit, which he joined in 1969. His wife joined about three years ago.
The society, which publishes a how-to booklet on suicide entitled "Guide to Self-Delivery," believes a person should be able to choose when to die, particularly if the person is painfully ill, the spokesman said.
Carlin honors former band director
A former KU band director was honored yesterday when Gov John Carlin proclaimed March 3, 1983, as "Russell Wiley Daw."
Robert Foster, current director of KU bands, read the proclamation from Gov. John Carlin at a luncheon yesterday for the American Bandmasters Convention in the Kansas Union Ballroom.
Wiley said he had no idea he was going to have a day named for him until he could remember it.
"I'm very honored, naturally. I feel very deeply appreciative, more than anyone."
Kansas in the fall of 1934 after beginning and developing the first band program at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma and the Trio-State Music Festival in Enid.
A PORTRAIT OF Wiley, which will hang in Murphy Hall, was also the inspiration for the film.
He came to KU with the goal of building a music education program and the band, which at that time consisted of 90 men who were badly in need. In 1983, he began the time he retired, in 1988, the band had grown to 180 and included women.
Wiley came to the University of
He also founded and developed KU Band Day and the Midwestern Music and Art Camp, which has been used to develop the University each summer since 1906.
After retiring as band director, he continued to direct the camp for six years.
WILEY IS NOW a professor emeritus of fine arts and lives in Prairie Village. He still conducts at the summer camp and assists the director, David Bushouse.
"I spent 40 beautiful years her and I miss it, but I come back often." Wiley爬
Wiley and the other convention participants spent yesterday on the KU campus. Last night, the KU Symphonic Band performed in the Music Hall in Carson City, Mo., directed by Wiley, Postgrad students and other conductors from various states.
The five-day convention began Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City, Mo. Participants include the Nation's most distinguished band directors.
Springbreak Primer Party with
Pillbox & Start (the best in original rock 'n' roll)
9 p.m. - ? Friday, March 4
the Kansas Union Ballroom 63/Person (informal attire please!) Presented by SUA
Be demanding!
The New York Times Why settle for anything less?
Now on Sale at the Kansas Union every Sunday. Only $3.00 For home delivery call Kyle at 841-5073.
B
Charlie Horman Thought That Being An American Would Guarantee His Safety.
His Family Believed That Being Americans Would Guarantee Them The Truth.
They Were All Wrong.
Under exclusive engagement the University Film Society will exhibit MISSING before the Academy Awards are presented.
Friday & Saturday, March 4th & 5th at 7:00 & 9:30 p.m. in Downs Auditorium (Dyche Hall—next to the Union)
Professor Clifford Ketzel of the Political Science Dept. will be present at 6:45 & 9:15 on March 4th to discuss the film versus current foreign relations.
Sound will be furnished by Klipsch & Associates $ ^{\circ} . $
MISSING won the Golden Palm Grand Prix Award at the Cannes Film Festival, Jack Lemmon won Best Actor.
MISSING has been nominated for the Academy Awards: Best Picture of the Year, Jack Lemmon-Best Actor, & Sissy Spacek-Best Actress.
Tickets: $2 at the door.
missing.
THE FIRST AMERICAN FILM BY COSTA-GAVRAS.
BASED ON A TRUE STORY.
UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND BODYWORK PRESENT
JACK LEMMON·SISSY SPACEK
in an EDWARD LEWIS Production of A COSTA-GAVRAS Film "MISSING" starring MELANE MAYON *JOON HEILA* Screenplay by COSTA-GAVRAS & DONALD STEWART Based on the book by THOMAS HAUER Music by VANGELSE Executive Producers PETER GUBER and JON PETERS Produced by EDWARD and MILDRED LEWIS
Read the AVON Book A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
A WWW.UNIVERSALPICTURE.COM
PG PARENTAL GUARDIANCE SUGGESTED
SOME MATERIAL MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN
Funded By Student Activity Fee
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