Woman Supports Grandpa Moving to Assisted Living After His Wife of 66 Years Dies: 'Be Kind to Him' (Exclusive)
The 88-year-old tells PEOPLE he "didn't know what to expect" when he entered a senior living facility near the homes of his children and grandchildren
Courtesy of Brianna Patz
Gerald Roszak and his granddaughter, Brianna Patz, playing chess togetherWhen Gerald Roszak entered a new and unfamiliar chapter of life, his granddaughter Brianna Patz was there to support him every step of the way — and she invited millions of TikTok users to help cheer him on.
Last month, 88-year-old Roszak moved from his longtime home in Milwaukee to an assisted living facility in Green Bay, Wis., in order to be closer to his daughters. Patz, 23, captured the moment he walked into his new home for the first time and uploaded the video to social media. The nine-second clip — which she captioned, "Please be kind to him" — won the hearts of 6.4 million TikTok users and reached more than 35 million viewers.
Patz tells PEOPLE that her post was a riff on a recent TikTok trend where people share footage of their kids on their first days of school set to the same music.
"I posted this video to show others that it's not only kids that experience nerves on their first day but really anyone can," she says. "It felt like I was sending my grandpa off to his first day of school, and I wanted to make sure everyone was sweet to him and that he would make friends."
Roszak made the move just months after his wife of more than 66 years, Joan, died at age 86. And just like many kids feel walking into school for the first time, Roszak was nervous about adjusting to the assisted living facility.
"I felt uncomfortable with the idea at first because I didn't know what to expect," he explains to PEOPLE, noting that he was uncertain about the dynamic of independent senior living.
In the comments, people were quick to share words of encouragement for Roszak, whom Patz refers to as Grandpa Jerry in following videos. Several users said the video made them cry, and others complimented the his "lovely smile."
Courtesy of Brianna Patz
Gerald Roszak with his family on his first day in assisted livingRelated: Mom Left 'Speechless' After 2-Year-Old Son's Back to School Pictures Come Home (Exclusive)
Another person who worked in an assisted living facility for 12-plus years commented to reassure Patz and Roszak that "he'll always have someone looking out for him." Luckily, the commenter was right: the senior was welcomed by his new community and has already made it his home.
"The second I moved here I felt comfortable. Everyone says hello to one another and greets you with a smile," Roszak tells PEOPLE. "I have made friends with my neighbors across the hall and eat most of my meals with them."
Since he's now closer to his family, too, Roszak is able to complement his new social life with more time with his kids and grandkids. Patz says she and her grandpa have always had a solid relationship, so having him newly nearby in Green Bay means they can further their connection.
Courtesy of Brianna Patz
Brianna Patz and her grandfather play a game"We really became close when I was in high school. My mom and I would always drive down to Milwaukee every Sunday to visit my grandparents," the TikTok creator recalls. "My grandpa and I played chess together. He always won."
In assisted living, Patz says her grandfather lives within minutes of his loved ones. She's made it a priority to see him as often as possible, even while balancing a full-time job and two part-time jobs. She tries to visit the facility every day, and typically makes it at least three times a week.
In addition to his family network and neighbors at his new residence, viral fame has introduced Roszak to a plethora of digital admirers, many of whom have shown their appreciation offline as well.
Courtesy of Brianna Patz
Gerald Roszak with his late wife Joan, their granddaughter Brianna Patz and another family memberHis granddaughter has kept her followers updated on how Roszak is settling into the changes, and just days after posting the initial "first day" video, Patz shared a clip of her grandpa at the post office picking up some special packages and letters.
"He was shocked to see all the 'fan' mail and gifts he received," says Patz. "He was most fascinated with those sending him mail and gifts and where they were from. We have people all over the world such as the Netherlands, France, U.K., South Africa [and] other states in the U.S.A., and he is in disbelief that people from all over the world now know about him!"
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