On the values and benefits of intergenerational programs

With a growing senior population and consequent growth in the generation gap, there is an urgent need to promote interaction between older adults and young adults/children. Fortunately, a number of intergenerational programs have been established as ways to address this generational divide and connect the elderly to youth. This guide works to introduce some of the individual and societal benefits of intergenerational programming.

As an overview, intergenerational programs aim to provide opportunities that allow for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and skills among generations as a way to foster the development of meaningful relationships across ages.

There are four general models of intergenerational programs (though variations of these models exist). The most common model involves older adults providing service to youth. Activities within this model include older adults serving as mentors and tutors for youth (the AARP foundation offers a program that connects older adults to students for the purposes of helping students read), acting as a caregiver for children in childcare, and providing support to at-risk teens.

The second model involves younger individuals providing a service to the elderly. For example, students may visit nursing home residents and engage in activities such as playing music, doing crafts, or completing group exercises.

The third intergenerational program model involves group participation in an activity. Groups of youth and older adults may care for a community garden, act in a theatre production, or engage in community fundraising.

The final model involves formal and informal interaction within a shared site. Examples of such spaces include a senior center located within a school as well as a long-term care facility and daycare housed within the same building.

The benefits of intergenerational programming are truly mutual, and both the older adults and younger individuals benefit from these valuable interactions. One of the benefits that older adults experience are health improvements: a study published by Generations United found that those who regularly volunteered with children had fewer falls, burned more calories, and showed stronger memorization relative to other older adults. Perhaps these results can be interpreted as revitalization stemming from working with younger individuals.

Anecdotally, these programs also provide an avenue for older adults to combat social isolation, cultivating meaningful, lifelong relationships. Increased social engagement among older adults generally leads to a greater willingness to engage with friends and family, as well. Finally, these programs also can lead to the exchange of valuable skills. For example, a popular program model involves youth teaching the elderly how to navigate aspects of technology.

From the perspective of younger individuals, intergenerational programs encourage the development of various life skills. For example, these intergenerational experiences often result in the reinforcement of values such as caring for others, which may translate to an increased interest in cooperation. Additionally, these programs motivate communication and provide a space for individuals to open up and share problems. These communication skills may lead to less conflict and a greater willingness to speak with parents. These skills are facilitated by having an older adult mentor who is able to share new perspectives and wisdom with youth.

At the community level, intergenerational interaction and communication among diverse groups helps to reduce or eliminate stereotypes. Additionally, these programs allow for the transmission of cultural traditions, which ultimately helps in building a stronger sense of unity within a community.

While many senior housing providers offer intergenerational programming, there are a variety of community programs available to interested volunteers. These programs are often available through schools, community centers, senior centers, or religious institutions.

As you can see, intergenerational programs offer a variety of benefits to all individuals involved, and interactions during these events ultimately lead to lifelong partnerships and friendships, favorable health consequences, and a strengthening of community.

— Jon Scalabrini