Healing Bridges: When Seniors and Kids Become Friends

As a part of the Blue Harbor Senior Living Young at Heart Program we make a special effort to organize activities that bring young people and seniors together. Whether it's a group of high school students stopping by for a visit a senior prom with true seniors and high school seniors or an opportunity for seniors to read to kids the possibilities for this program are fun and endless!

In this edition of the Orchard Park Senior Living blog let's talk about the benefits of intergenerational programming.

Staying Young at Heart

When seniors spend time with young adults or kids they're reminded of the boundless energy and curiosity from their own childhoods. This can trigger happy memories reinvigorating their joie de vivre. There's nothing like laughing with a group of kids to truly make us feel young at heart!

Opportunity for Learning

Seniors with their years of experience have a lot to teach young adults and kids. They've learned many lessons and have lots of wisdom to share. When seniors and kids get to talking seniors can offer wonderful advice and mentorship.

When it comes to friendships between the elderly and younger people seniors aren't the only ones who have something to teach. In fact younger people have all kinds of knowledge to share. Youth can help seniors adapt to the current modern times helping them to learn how to use technology such as smartphones or computers.

Deeper Sense of Connection

As seniors age they may begin to feel more isolated and removed from the rest of society. By engaging with younger people they will feel more connected to the larger community. This feeling of connection can have very healing benefits for seniors creating a greater sense of wellbeing happiness and reduced anxiety. Essentially by connecting with younger people these friendships can give seniors a greater sense of true belonging and meaning.

Meaning and Purpose

As we age we may not be able to do the same things that used to give our lives so much meaning and purpose. We've often stopped working the kids are grown up and we're not quite as active as we used to be. However when seniors forge new friendships with young adults their lives feel more meaningful. They can impart their many years of wisdom onto their younger friends. Being a mentor or teacher can bring great joy to many seniors' lives and these very special friendships can warm the hearts of young people and elderly alike.

Learn More

Interested in learning more about the activities program at our assisted living community in Clovis CA? We'd be happy to speak with you about our Young at Heart program and wide-ranging list of activities. Reach out and schedule a time to visit! Happy holidays and New Year all!