Keith Derrickson, a resident of Oak Crest Senior Living, hosted a piano concert in his community in Parkville, Maryland. Derrickson and others stay busy by volunteering at their retirement communities. “When we volunteer here, it’s all about our legacy. What are we leaving behind?” Derrickson said. Photo courtesy of Oak Crest

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Retired Baltimore County music teacher Keith Derrickson enjoys performing on the piano, sometimes wearing a powdered wig.

For almost seven years he has lived at Oak Crest in Parkville, Maryland, volunteering his talent at the community’s open houses.

“I play while people are coming in and give them some ambiance. I have a Bach wig and a Beethoven wig,” he said.

Indeed, Derrickson spends most of his days volunteering in various ways at Oak Crest. He even helped establish a “Resident University” — a monthly lecture series for his fellow residents.

“It’s time consuming, but we all have time here,” he said.

Many other Baltimore-area retirement communities also have robust in-house volunteer programs, offering residents a chance to help out without going far from home.

Many ways to chip in

At Oak Crest, one of more than 20 communities managed by Erickson Senior Living, 436 of its 2,100 residents “work” both on and off its 87-acre campus. They teach classes to their peers, exchange letters with local elementary school students, and even make casseroles for a Baltimore food pantry.

“We have groups who crochet baby caps for local hospitals and make lap blankets for veterans,” said Dana Huntington-Smith, Oak Crest’s community resources manager.

“With 211 resident groups and more starting every week, the residents have a lot of opportunities to get involved,” she said.

Oak Crest residents lead groups and teach classes to their peers in everything from woodworking to quilting to writing.

They also volunteer as “helping hands” in Oak Crest’s care center, where they provide company to fellow residents by reading to them or striking up a conversation.

“Volunteerism works both ways; not only do we get to help others, but it makes us feel good in the process,” Huntington-Smith said. “All of this leads to a more vibrant life by keeping us socially connected.”

Every April, during National Volunteer Appreciation Week, Oak Crest honors all of its resident volunteers at a Volunteer Appreciation Open House “for food, fellowship and entertainment,” Huntington-Smith said. Each attendee receives a pin at the ceremony for their years of service.

Resident-run store and more

Pickersgill Retirement Community in West Towson also honors its hundreds of volunteers every year with a luncheon and lecture. Its residents mostly volunteer at Pickersgill’s country store, which is entirely run by residents.

About 15 to 20 residents volunteer multiple times a week at the store. Others do many different things — gardening, teaching watercolor and meditation classes, planning religious services, and helping fellow residents get to activities.

“There’s always something going on all day pretty much every day,” said Heather Meyer, volunteer coordinator and activities assistant at Pickersgill.

Residents in independent living who help their neighbors in assisted living, even with just a daily visit, can really make a difference in their lives, she noted.

“They kind of take them under their wing and go to see them and take them to activities. That really cheers a lot of residents up,” Meyer said.

Empowering residents

At Seaton Towson, a Discovery Senior Living assisted living community, residents help water the flowers, deliver mail and newspapers, distribute menus, and even help other residents go for walks.

“We have a lot of residents who have dementia of some sort, and we give them jobs to make them feel empowered and give them a sense of responsibility in the community — and help keep them busy,” said Stephanie Osorio, celebrations director at Seaton Towson.

“They love it, and they take it very seriously,” Osorio said. “It’s great because it allows them to interact with each other and help each other out.”

Volunteer dean

Getting to know others is what Oak Crest’s “Resident University” is all about. Two years ago, Derrickson helped establish the monthly lecture series after an experience in Oak Crest’s restaurant.

He and some other residents were chatting at the bar and were speechless when a resident told some fascinating stories about his firefighting days. They decided to organize a lecture series by residents and staff.

As “dean” of the university, Derrickson works to line up speakers. He also helped organize the first graduation in May — complete with caps, gowns and tassels.

“When we volunteer here, it’s all about our legacy. What are we leaving behind?” Derrickson said. “We don’t have to cut the grass anymore or repair the roof or even cook, so we have time.

“Others of us who have had a work ethic for years and years enjoy working and giving back to the community.”

For more information, call Erickson at (800) 590-4091, Pickersgill at (888) 877-9883, or Seaton Towson at (410) 417-9113.