The University of Washington’s annual Elder Friendly Futures conference takes place this week and I’m speaking on a panel about intergenerational engagement.
Intergenerational engagement is by far the best example of a strengths-based approach to aging that recognizes the enormous resource elders provide to their communities. I’d love to get feedback from our audience on amazing intergenerational programs from around the world that we could highlight during our panel discussion to illustrate this point.
First, here’s what we plan to cover:
My co-panelist is Charlene Boyd, administrator of Providence Mount St. Vincent in Seattle and one of the original pioneers to help found The Pioneer Network. “The Mount,” as it’s affectionately called, is world-famous for its numerous elder-centered practices and amazing onsite intergenerational learning center.
In particular, The Mount received national attention this summer when the trailer for the upcoming documentary “Present Perfect” about its preschool program was featured on national news:
When you see engagement like this in person or even on the big screen it’s a no-brainer that kids and elders belong together.
But why?
I was asked to join the panel to speak about The Eden Alternative and in particular founder Dr. Bill Thomas’ vision of intergenerational engagement. I’m thrilled to sit beside Charlene because her work at The Mount was one of the inspirations for Bill to found The Eden Alternative back in the 1990s when he was a young director of medicine at a small nursing home in upstate New York.
The Eden Alternative is reshaping the experience of aging globally and has trained thousands of people and organizations on the principles of fostering genuine human habitats. Intergenerational engagement is a big part of most Eden organizations and is central to Eden’s core principles:
An Elder-centered community commits to creating a Human Habitat where life revolves around close and continuing contact with plants, animals, and children. It is these relationships that provide the young and old alike with a pathway to a life worth living.
Bill writes about the special relationship between children and elders in his book “What are Old People For: How Elders Will Save the World.” The cliff notes version of his philosophy boils down to the basic psychology of “doing” vs. “being.”
As children we experience the gift of “being” in the moment with ease and can spend hours playing, make-believe and day dreaming.
As we grow older we we experience a profound shift away from “being” and towards “doing.” We take on responsibilities and pursue our desires and ambitions. We are valued by others (and ourselves) according to what we do and have.
Few things bring this into sharper focus than when I’m working on a hard deadline and my children ask me to play a game that requires imagination (like having tea with the stuffies). I will candidly admit that in those instances I suck at playing. Trying to change gears and be present and imaginative can be torturous if not downright impossible.
Bill writes that among the greatest gifts of aging is regaining that ability to “be” present. “Being” opens the door to a special language that elders and children naturally share and that adults are usually too handicapped to understand.
I use imaginative play as an illustrative example but the benefits go much deeper than that. I’m excited to highlight another example of intergenerational engagement that has enormous potential to break down ageist stereotypes and bridge the age gap.
Most readers of ChangingAging are familiar with the film Alive Inside by Michael Rossato-Bennett. The film follows social worker Dan Cohen on his personal crusade to bring music into the lives of people who have been institutionalized and isolated because they live with dementia.
I’m excited to announce that Michael has launched the Alive Inside Foundation to focus on building an intergenerational movement bringing kids and elders living with dementia together around music. Michael has recognized that kids — middle school-age kids in particular — are uniquely positioned to implement music and memory programs in nursing homes and benefit profoundly from the experience. He’s even started filming a new documentary — take a look:
Alive Inside and one school- Healdsburg California from Michael Rossato-Bennett on Vimeo.
Michael’s foundation has created a middle school curriculum that any school can adopt to partner with a nursing home. What I’m most excited about is how this project illustrates that it is the people living with dementia who have so much to offer these kids. It is truly a life changing experience that changes the way they think about aging.
Besides connecting elders and children in long term care settings I also want to highlight intentional multigenerational communities that are changing aging. The two I’m most familiar with are:
- Bridge Meadows in Portland — a multigenerational community bringing together adoptive parents, foster children and elders.
- Generations of Hope/Hope Meadows in Rantoul, Ill. — a similar program that brings together foster children, retirees, and families by enabling them to create their own neighborhood and forge their own network of caring relationships.
What other programs or innovations should we highlight? I’d especially like to hear from our international audience.
Kate Middleton says
November 14, 2015 at 9:10 pmGreat Stuff! Very inspiring! I wanted to share this article from New Zealand with you, unfortunately it didn’t copy with pics…
http://artsaccess.org.nz/Mary+Ama+and+the+Pacifica+Mamas+recognised+for+their+longstanding+work+with+prisoners
Mary Ama and the Pacifica Mamas recognised for their longstanding work with prisoners
3 July 2015
Mary Ama and the Pacifica Mamas are well respected Pacific artists, mentors and cultural leaders. Their experience, knowledge and passion for Pacific arts and culture are at the heart of the Polynesian Creations programme at Spring Hill Corrections Facility, near Huntly.
Their work with the prisoners was acknowledged when they received the Arts Access Corrections Community Award 2015, presented in Parliament by Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.
“Your example of leadership is a demonstration of profound strength, of deep commitment to community service where you bring forward the cultural knowledge of our ancestors and I am personally very proud to give you this award,” Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said.
Mary Ama and the Pacifica Mamas make the hour long drive to the prison’s Pacific Focus Unit (Vaka Fa’aola) once a week. They come together to share stories and their skills of weaving, lei and tapa making.
“We are both humbled and honoured to be receiving the Arts Access Corrections Community Award. It’s an award we share with the men of the Vaka Fa’aola Pacific Focus Unit, who each and every week learn, share and connect with their Pacific cultural roots,” Pacific Artist and Programme Leader tutor, Mary Ama says.
Their humble, grass roots style of teaching has resonated well with offenders, who in turn have created high quality Pacific artworks and taken positive steps in personal development.
“I think for any programme to be successful there must be a connection and mutual respect between the teacher and student – regardless of either side’s past history or background,” Mary Ama says.
The vision of the Mamas is to create a sense of value, within the offenders themselves. The judging panel of the Arts Access Community Award commended this vision and their commitment to the Pacific community. They were impressed by the quality of weaving work produced by the projects and commented on how “this initiative succeeds in reconnecting the prisoners with their cultural heritage as well as their wider community”.
“The award is a wonderful way to formally honour and celebrate the hard work of the Pacifica Mamas. It’s also a great achievement for the wider Pacific community, as they are the first ever Pacific recipients of an Arts Access Corrections Award!” Pacifica Arts Centre Director, Jarcinda Stowers-Ama says.
Jarcinda says for many of the offenders this is their first feeling of positive achievement and being a valued member of a community.
Value is also what personally motivates and inspires the Mamas who are aged between 60 and 80 years old.
Tiana Epati, Samoan artist and long standing member of Mary Ama and the Pacifica Mamas, like the other mamas, view this ‘retirement age’ a prime time to give back to the community by passing on their Pacific arts skills and knowledge to offenders.
They too benefit from the programme and like the offenders feel a sense of value, belonging, purpose and pride in their identity as Pacific people.
“What makes the Pacifica Mamas programme special is their authentic style of teaching. Based on the Pacific art, culture and knowledge of their ancestors, what they teach can’t be learned from a text book or on the internet,” Jarcinda Stowers-Ama says.
Tylynn Pettrey says
November 14, 2015 at 8:37 pmHello, I’m an Aging 320 student at the Erickson School of Aging, and I found this post particularly engaging. I am the mother of a near-2 year old in a neighborhood consisting mostly of older adults, and I can attest to the mutual benefit of intergenerational engagement firsthand. My son and I have enjoyed walks through the neighborhood for the past couple years, and we always pass by an 86 year-old lady’s house and antique shop. We have since built a friendship. She enjoys giving my son books and snacks, and my little man loves sitting down and reading, exploring her home, and chattering about his day. His love of books, endless energy, and cute sense of humor brighten up her day, and as a lifetime elementary student teacher with no grandchildren, she is thrilled to be able to play with him.
My professor and assigned readings have emphasized the importance of social activity, physical activity, and mental engagement in longterm elderly health. The interaction with members of a younger generation provides all of these benefits. Further, elders tend to be much more engaged in the moment than my generation is, as mentioned in this post. The undivided attention, shared interests, and learning experiences provided benefit not only elders, but also the growing younger generation. As my son gets older, I look forward to exploring new intergenerational experiences with him. Everyone learns so much from this.
LeeAnne Tucker says
September 30, 2015 at 5:50 amLook at the national Foster Grandparent Program! What a gem! http://www.landofsky.org/fgp.html
Elisa Stutheit says
September 18, 2015 at 12:57 pmFoster Grandparent Program!
Began in 1965, this national service project is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2015. It is one of three Senior Corps volunteer programs federally funded through the Corporation for National & Community Service. “Foster Grandparents are role models, mentors, & friends to children with exceptional needs. The program provides a way for volunteers age 55 & over to stay active by serving children & youth in their communities.” For more information: http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps/foster-grandparents
Judy says
September 18, 2015 at 6:58 amAt Willow Valley Communities, students between the ages of 17 and 21, participate in a unique year-long Work Immersion Program for young adults with disabilities. Willow Valley provides a classroom and job training opportunities.
Students develop relationships with our Team Members and Residents – a benefit to all.
Learn more by reading our blog post:
http://www.willowvalleycommunities.org/2015/09/09/iu13-work-immersion-program-at-willow-valley-communities/
This Work Immersion program in partnership with the Lancaster IU13 at Willow Valley was honored with a 2015 Innovation of the Year award from LeadingAge PA.
Suzanne Stroh says
September 17, 2015 at 6:25 pmI think the best example of an inter-generational program is actually an on-going free, anonymous, non-profit, on line advice service called the Elder Wisdom Circle (see elderwisdomcircle.org) The idea is that Elders (those who are 60+) have live experience that they can share with younger folks, enriching the lives of both. Elders typically provide advice from their homes on their own computers, but there are those who do so in small groups senior centers, and in assisted living and nursing homes with help from a facilitator. It’s a wonderful idea. I’ve done it myself for 9 years and love it.
Jill Chang says
September 17, 2015 at 4:11 pmOur Intergenerational Children’s center (ICC) at Bayview Retirement Community provides day care for 40+ children, ages 2 months to 5 years. Our Director of ICC shared these topics that may benefit your panel discussion:
–> The resident volunteer aspect of an ICC Center. Our residents may volunteer at our center, providing physical, social, mental, and emotional benefits for both the child and senior. (and the benefits of giving back).
–> Innovative ways that music ties the generations together. Our program incorporates musical therapy in our daily programs.
–> Differentiating Child Development Center as oppose to Child “Daycare” center. Bayview is a Intergenerational Child Development Center, elevating the child’s learning process and challenging young minds to stretch and grow.
Hope this provides helpful!
William Henry says
September 17, 2015 at 2:30 pmI can think of three other good examples of intergenerational learning: 1) Eldercare consultant Frances Shani Parker (www.francesshaniparker.com), when she was principal of a Detroit elementary school, developed a great service-learning program in which fourth-graders got to know — really know, not just visit once — nursing home residents. A before and after survey showed how the kids’ attitudes were changed dramatically. 2) Graduate students at the UMass Boston’s Gerontology Institute are doing very interesting studies, through which they learn to appreciate what elders can do, not just what they’re limited at doing. 3) The Foster Grandparent Program, operated by the Corporation For National and Community Service, has been creating intergenerational, positive relationships for decades.
Kathy Sporre says
September 17, 2015 at 12:58 pmWe used the National Issues Forums (http://www.nifi.org) format to hold deliberations on pressing national issues with people from different generations at our Senior Center. There are many issues to choose from and the accompanying videos and booklets are very helpful. We found that the deliberations helped to disspell some of the stereotypes that exist. Recommended for high school and up.
Sara says
September 17, 2015 at 12:49 pmMy Second Home in Mt Kisco, NY is an adult day program that is located in the same building with Mt Kisco Child Care Center. There are scheduled intergenerational activities throughout the day and lots of other wonderful serendipitous intergenerational interactions. Magic moments and smiles abound! My Second Home was honored in 2014 as the best day program in the U.S by NADSA (National Adult Day Services Association).
Nichole Pennington says
September 17, 2015 at 11:59 amI am the director of a junior volunteer program at Holiday Resort in Emporia, KS. We focus on building bridges between youth in our outside community, and the elderly in our facility. It involves children ages 8 to 16, who are interested in Healthcare careers mainly but we accept ANY child that just wants fun and exciting things to learn. We encourage these relationships, and it gives children the chance to see, feel, learn, grow in Healthcare knowledge. Our elderly are experiencing therapeutic results from our program. It’s called Busy Bees. We allow children not to just visit or read, but do hands on such as washing hands for residents who need assistance, passing ice in the halls, pass snacks out, do safety checks (making sure call lights are accessible, no clutter on floors that could cause a fall, ensuring residents with walking devices have them) learn about communication, self esteem building, peer pressure topics, learning skills from our elders, such as crochet, fishing, and so much more. This is an amazing program and I am very proud of it, my residents, and my busy bee volunteers.
cathieborrie says
September 17, 2015 at 9:50 amOh my, inspiring, vital, intuitive, energizing, – pitch perfect! Wish I could be there to hear you, Kavan!