This topic of intergenerational connection has intrigued me for a long time.
I was particularly struck by its power on a trip to India a few years ago, where I observed the way that families lived and interacted with each other, and it seemed that old and young lived together much more freely, and as a result, I noticed particularly in the older generation that they appeared to be less lonely and had more defined purpose in their lives.
With social isolation and loneliness on the rise in the UK, it feels more important than ever to find ways of connecting and ultimately enhancing people’s lives, both old and young. The benefits are palpable:
HEALTH BOOSTER
Older adults who actively engage with children have been found to have better physical health, are less likely to suffer from depression, and have a higher degree of satisfaction in life.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS
Changes in society mean there are fewer opportunities for older and younger people to come together: ‘Bringing the generations together actually does place older people in a position where they can see the hope, enthusiasm and wonder of children, and the children can also benefit from the wisdom older people can offer’ Associate Professor Lyn Phillipson
LEARN AND TEACH NEW SKILLS
Older adults share a lifetime of wisdom, from social skills, to stories of the past. To various interests and hobbies, and children are introduced to new activities and ideas which stay with them as they mature. Conversely, children also like to feel needed and are willing to share their knowledge of the world around them with people who are interested - and they can even teach older people new things about the world we live in.
PASS ON LIFE LESSONS AND FAMILY STORIES
Strong relationships with older adults help children form a better sense of who they are, where they’ve come from and how they fit into this world. At the same time, older people get the chance to leave a legacy by keeping aspects of their history and culture alive into the future.
So really it feels like there are endless positives to encouraging these symbiotic relationships in today’s world, when old and young alike suffer increasingly with loneliness and poor mental health – and maybe, by encouraging these, we can start to shift the dial a little on ageist stereotypes in the process, encouraging healthier attitudes both from the oldest and youngest generations.
