When entering the Owl Hill Bistro at Landis Homes, it is not unusual to see several residents standing around a table talking to Dan and Ryan Gehman, a father and son who both work on the campus.
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Enriching
an has held several roles over his seven years on staff and now serves as a Facilities Assistant, maintaining appliances, replacing lights, fixing beds, chairs and TVs, in
addition to helping move residents to new accommodations. His son, Ryan, has been at Landis Homes a little more than a year as a Wellness Assistant. Ryan leads many of the group exercise classes, tracks resident clearances for the Wellness Center and guides one-to- one exercise sessions with persons with Parkinson’s, helping to keep them moving and active. Dan comments, “Nearly every time we are here eating, residents come up and compliment Ryan on his work.”
Dan sees this as an answer to prayers. “We had been praying a position would open for Ryan here. There is a lot of evidence that persons like Ryan, who is on the Autism spectrum, connect well with persons as they age, and that is proving to be true.”
When a recent newspaper article highlighting Ryan’s journey was published, it really seemed to connect with residents. He says, “Almost every day, people would stop by the Wellness Center office and talk with me. Most had someone they knew who was dealing with being on the spectrum as well. It gave them a chance to talk about it with someone who could understand. People tell me about tough things, and I can listen.” Ryan also enjoys giving training tips to persons who are feeling aches and pains after exercising. It is a way of sharing the knowledge he has gained through his own experience.
Both men enjoy the deep connections they have made with residents. Dan’s social work background and years working for church-related organizations means he already knew many residents. Dan understands their needs, desires and concerns, particularly as they move from one place to another on campus. He says, “I try to get to know the names of as many residents and staff as I can. It is so important for all of us to feel ‘seen,’ and I do that by making sure I can connect by name as much as I can.”
A highlight for Dan and Ryan is during the group classes Ryan leads. Residents begin gathering up to 30 minutes before the sessions start, to talk and just enjoy community. As his schedule allows, Dan walks past the room while the sessions are going on and waves hello.
Ryan is also putting in a lot of training hours preparing for the upcoming racing season. Te former college runner and cross country coach plans to compete in a series of races including the Boston, Chicago and New York City marathons, considered the “big three” in the United States.
Te care they have for each other is evident as they share about the value they find in working at Landis Homes. When asked what he likes about working in the same place as his dad, Ryan says, “It is great to be able to carpool some of the time, watch some of the late-night TV comics we like on my phone and I even steal his chips!”
For both Dan and Ryan, working at Landis Homes is a place where they can serve others well and connect on a deep level with residents, team members and each other.
Landis.org | FLOURISH | Spring 2023 • 15
Lives, Together
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