To the quiet WWII veteran who still remembers the horrors of war, the insecure teenager who finds exposing every detail of her life through social media fulfilling, to the woman whose perceptions about race were created during less united times, and the student who only knows about the violence Civil Rights movement from lectures and history books. All of these individuals might differ at their surface, but at the root find common ground, resulting in activities for children and seniors that can benefit both.
It can be a unique challenge to better understand others without judgment or uneducated stereotypes. But when people unite, we can change the game, and as a result are better and stronger together.
With a bit of patience and empathy, we can all relate to one another on some level. Baby Boomers, for instance, created their most of their centric values from their parents who lived during the economic downturn of the Great Depression. Therefore, those whom were affected by double-digit inflation or college graduates who still struggle to find good jobs since 2007 may find common ground, since history is cyclical and repeats itself through patterns.
The benefit to exploring and developing an intergenerational dialogue is mutually ubiquitous for both young adults and seniors. While activities between the generations are a great time to teach a lifetime of wisdom – it’s also a ton of fun!
According to the organization Generations United, such intergenerational interaction allows seniors to remain active and engaged, which can contribute to living longer with an overall better physical and mental health. Relationships in senior citizens, generally speaking, are proven to reduce isolation, loneliness, and even poverty.
Studies exhibit, “Older adults who regularly volunteer with children burn 20% more calories per week, experience fewer falls, are less reliant on canes, and perform better on a memory test than their peers,” the organization states. They enjoy a higher quality of life by remaining engaged in younger communities.
In turn, the benefit to young adults can be just as rewarding, including: developing essential social and life skills, building fundamental values, evolving self-love and self-worth, and acknowledging a role model and mentor to look up to. Volunteers can create opportunities for inter-generational experiences that offer joyful connections for long-lasting, meaningful friendships. Over time, a successful intergenerational relationship can result in a co-advocate environment for one another, a united front with unlimited support and encouragement.
“Somehow we have to get older people back close to growing children if we are to restore a sense of community, a knowledge of the past, and a sense of the future.”
– Margaret Mead
Want to learn how to effectively communicate with different generational groups? Visit The Charmm’d Foundation at http://www.charmmdfoundation.org/resource-library/effective-communication/checklist-communicating-different-generations
Jeff Clay, Vice President of Business Development at of Regency Retirement Village, said his group recruits many volunteers who bring a variety of abilities to work alongside residents.
“For these volunteers, both young and old, we create opportunities for inter-generational experiences,” Clay said. “We understand that many schools and colleges require volunteer hours for their students, and we would love to support those efforts.”
While at Regency Retirement Village of Tuscaloosa, whether short-term or long-term, you will find that daily life is an intergenerational activity as our youthful staff devotedly cares our senior residents and those requiring daily assistance needs.
Call today and speak with our Activities Director to learn how you can begin a fulfilling life of working with our senior community. To learn more about Regency Retirement Village Tuscaloosa, call (205) 752-5500.