OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Forging Strong Intergenerational Connections, Today and Tomorrow
our organization faced a new set of chal- lenges. Generations United is the national organization working to improve the lives of children, youth, and older adults through intergenerational practices. How would we connect the generations when we couldn’t be together in person? We reached out to our network to learn
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what they were doing. We were not sur- prised to fi nd the intergenerational com- munity responding with passion, creativity, and ongoing commitment to building and maintaining ties across the generations. Take Kind2Kupuna in Hawaii. This
project of Age-Friendly Honolulu collects hopeful messages and pictures from kei- ki (elementary, middle, and high school students) for kupuna (older adults). These messages and drawings have been made into collages and distributed to kupuna in several assisted living communities, senior centers, and kupuna meal providers. Sweet Readers Connect offers virtual
connections: The program matches young people, ages 11 to 22, with older adults for 15- or 30-minute visits through FaceTime, Zoom, and WhatsApp. Together, they share stories and favorite music, create collabora- tive poetry, and more. With physical distancing, social isola-
tion became a concern. In New York City, DOROT launched a Caring Calls program, where older adults receive weekly check-in calls from a volunteer. Timeslips, based in Milwaukee, promotes
creativity to connect the generations from a distance. They shared mural templates to create beautiful see-through art on the windows of a community. The window art can then be enjoyed from the inside and by visitors outside, at a safe distance.
32 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE MAY/JUNE 2020
hen the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and physical distancing practices were put into place,
Another creative connection was by Kai-
ros Alive, which is hosting 10-minute online intergenerational dance parties via Face- book Live, every Monday through Friday. While we’re still learning how best to
connect while maintaining distancing, here are some tips we’ve developed: Be creative: Creativity has always been
a linchpin of intergenerational programs. Now more than ever, we need to think creatively about building intergenerational relationships. Generations United has re- sources that can help. Check out Intergenera- tional Programs and Physical Distancing: What to do we can’t be together and Connecting Generations in Senior Housing: A Program Implementation Toolkit. Then think about the many ways the generations can connect. Don’t be afraid to try new ideas. Be responsive: Programs and activities need to address the interests and needs of participants and take into account their access to technology and their digital liter- acy. For instance, in addition to conducting virtual home visits, the Mon Ami program supports older adults who are isolated by COVID-19 by off ering tech help over the phone and having volunteers run contact- less errand support.
While many programs are shifting to on- line platforms, not all participants are going to be able to access these opportunities or even want to connect online. Try to meet people of all ages where they are, and plan engagement activities that fi t.
Be simple: While the need for intergen- erational connections is great, it is fi ne to start small. Connect with your most com- mitted participants and champions of all ages. Find out what they would like to do. Test ideas and activities with small groups or start with neighbors or family members. Learn from these interactions, revise, and then expand slowly.
Be patient: In these
unprecedented times, remember that staff, caregivers, families, and older and younger people may be stressed and overwhelmed. You may not hear back immediately and may have to contact partners multiple times. Many people, programs, and organi- zations are adjusting to using new technolo- gies or scaling up their technical capacities. Off er support and encouragement to help them engage. Generations United is collecting informa-
Sheri Steinig Special projects director Generations United
tion and ideas and will continue to share resources. We are also available to provide guidance or technical assistance. You can fi nd our guides and other resources at our website,
gu.org.
digital democratization
An environment where tech is easily used and available regardless of special training or economics—everyone can participate on some level. The recent pandemic may have pushed this trend forward: Residents are Zoom-dining together and FaceTiming family.
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