the importance of intergenerational endeavour

Today there is a culture of youth. Even though the population is getting older, the important thing is that we do not look or act old. With so many of the elderly in residential care , out of sight and out of mind, and the others often afraid to walk our streets, we are in danger of producing a generation which is unfamiliar with the problems and pleasures of growing old and where respect for the elderly is a thing of the past.

 The internet has taken over as a source of wisdom and knowledge, traditionally the province of those who have been around longest, and the elderly stand to be come increasingly marginalised. Is it a good idea to have a generation of young people who see the elderly as group of people on Zimmer frames eating blended food with nothing to contribute to society?

Our young people need to have contact with the elderly and our senior citizens have much to offer to the youth of today. For one thing, they know all there is to know about recycling, a great deal about "strictly come dancing" and much about how to eat healthily on a shoe string budget, all things which may prove to be very useful in the foreseeable future. Intergenerational projects enable young people to gain familiarity with and an understanding of the elderly as valid individuals with something to offer, as opposed to the stereotypes of the elderly often portrayed in the media. With that understanding can come respect and an attitude of care for the problems encountered on a daily basis by those for whom even Botox provides no sanctuary.

There are many relevant articles and sites online , mostly from the USA

Here are some links to sites and articles concerned with intergenerational programs.

 EXAMPLES OF INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS

BUILDING BRIDGES -an integenerational program

INTERGENERATIONAL ACTIVITES INVOLVING PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA

INTERGENERATIONAL LANCASHIRE

INTERGENERTIONAL HORTICULTURE PROJECT