A
s director of child care at senior living pro- vider Ebenezer, Jody Schumann is pas- sionate about bringing together children and older adults. “It gives the seniors a sense of purpose,” she said.
Currently, Ebenezer is working to develop The Pillars of Prospect Park, a 283-residence independent living, assisted living, and memory care community. It will have all the amenities—club room, theater, fitness center, bis- tro—and it will have a little something more as well. An onsite childcare center will accommodate up to 100 kids ranging in age from infant to pre-kindergarten. In keep- ing with past practice at other communities, Ebenezer expects that residents will serve as volunteer “grand- friends” to play with and nurture the kids. Onsite child care is perhaps the most extreme ex-
ample of a trend toward intergenerational program- ming—and the notion that when kids and older adults spend structured time together, everyone benefits. Such programs have their potential pitfalls: Will the kids have fun? Will the seniors be safe? For executive directors pondering the merits of intergenerational program- ming, it’s worth taking a look at the pros and cons; ex- ploring some meaningful efforts; and considering best practices from senior living providers.
Finding meaning Before considering how we might bring kids and seniors together, it’s important to review the why. The numbers help to tell the story. In a recent study,
advocacy group Generations United found that 92 percent of adults believe seniors benefit from building relationships with children and youth. Yet the opportunities for such interaction are slim.
We live in an age-segregated time: Nearly a quarter of the nation’s neighborhoods contain a disproportionately high share of older adults, while 31 percent contain either a disproportionately high share of children and their parents or a disproportionately high share of young adults, the study found. An overwhelming majority of adults—77 percent—
said they wish there were more opportunities for peo- ple from different age groups to meet and get to know one another. Experts point to three compelling reasons for pro-
moting interaction between kids and seniors. There are benefits to the older adults; benefits to senior living com- munities; and benefits for the kids as well.
“Older adults don’t want to be segregated or siloed,”
said Roscoe Nicholson, senior research associate from Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging, the research arm of senior living provider Mather LifeWays. “For many older adults, mentoring types of activities give a sense of pur- pose. It offers them a legacy, a chance to transmit wisdom to younger generations.” In addition to therapeutic benefits, such encounters can
form the basis of lasting relationships. Nicholson’s orga- nization paired seniors with college students, “and even after the conclusion of the class both the students and the residents were talking about having reunions, talking about continuing to see each other, to build on the bonds they had created,” he said. Seniors may gain in vitality and awareness. Interactions
with young people can boost cognition and improve one’s sense of well-being. “To feel like your life is worthwhile, it helps to be engaged in activities where you can share your skills and experiences,” said Generations United senior fellow Dr. Nancy Henkin. “This is a way to create a sense of connection, a sense of belonging.” Senior living organizations also derive a business benefit
when they promote intergenerational activities. Too often, senior housing exists in isolation from its neighbors, gated off and set apart. By opening up the gates and encourag- ing interaction with school kids, Scouts, college students and others, senior living inherently can make itself better understood and appreciated. “It’s the ultimate community integration opportunity.
It’s a chance to get people in the community to really un- derstand what your operation is all about, a chance to tell your story to a wider audience,” said James Fuccione, senior director of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Col- laborative. By opening its doors and de-stigmatizing the senior population, a community can help to spark impor- tant discussions. “You can’t combat ageism just through older adults. Ultimately you need to engage all ages, which you do through intergenerational programming.” Ebenezer’s onsite childcare program has had exactly
this effect. “The family members who drop off their chil- dren become aware of everything that we have on our campus. Then if grandma needs an adult day program or some other level of care, they already know what we have available. That is a huge benefit,” Schumann said. In addition, some say, intergenerational efforts can help
senior living providers meet the long-term challenge of building and maintaining a workforce loyal to the indus- try. “If you expose young people in high school to this
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