How Intergenerational Relationships Benefit Seniors 

The University of Michigan’s 2023 Poll on Healthy Aging found that one in three older adults feel isolated from others, experience a lack companionship, or have limited contact with people outside their homes. Seniors who experience these measures of loneliness are more likely to report poor physical and mental health, especially when they are unemployed or have a disability.  

Addressing loneliness is integral to the holistic wellbeing of older adults. Intergenerational connections can prevent social isolation by offering friendship, a link to the local community, and opportunities for personal growth. 

Combatting Loneliness 

Cross-generational relationships allow residents to break out of their social “bubble” and connect with individuals outside their immediate friends and family. The introduction of different age groups into a community can shake up social dynamics and give residents the opportunity to hear new perspectives. Age-diverse visitors can also provide a sounding board for seniors to voice their feelings or frustrations, separate from their everyday social circles.  

Connecting Residents to the Local Community 

A 2022 study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed that seniors who frequently participate in local activities experience higher life satisfaction and fewer depressive symptoms compared to those with infrequent community engagement. Active involvement in the local community provides seniors with a change of environment and opportunities to meet new people. Members of different generations can support seniors in connecting with their neighborhood through various means, such as: 

Building Empathy 

Interactions with different age groups can help seniors understand and empathize with generations that are often perceived as ideologically different. On the flip side, intergenerational friendships can help demystify the aging process and debunk ageist stereotypes. Ageism is a type of discrimination experienced by 93% of older adults and – like loneliness – is linked to poor physical and mental health. Promoting age diversity in your community humanizes older adults and pushes back against harmful ageist beliefs. 

4 Ways to Promote Cross-Generational Connections in Your Senior Living Community 

Intergenerational relationship-building can be a fruitful avenue for programming in your community.  Here are four ways your community can promote cross-generational connections.  

Start a Mentorship Program 

Mentorship programs benefit both older adults and their mentees by putting the often-untapped experiences of seniors to use. Seniors benefit from the social interaction and fresh perspective offered by the mentee, and their younger counterpart gains a trusted confidant.  

Senior mentorship programs generally consist of one-to-one pairings of older adults and younger individuals based on shared interests or experiences. The pairings meet frequently for conversation or to engage in coordinated activities. Nationally, AmeriCorps Seniors’ Foster Grandparent Program pairs seniors with at-risk youth in their area. Mentorship programs can be implemented on a smaller scale at individual senior living communities, in partnership with local schools or volunteer organizations.  

Highlight the Talent of Other Generations 

Chances are, talented artists in your area are looking for a place to perform and your community has an enthusiastic audience. Hosting performance groups provides engaging programming for your residents and an opportunity for people of all ages to come together in a shared passion for the arts.  

Performing arts events are also advantageous from a memory care perspective, allowing artists from different generations to impact residents with memory loss by performing music from their formative years. A Northwestern Medicine study found that live performances of nostalgic music improved social engagement and reduced agitation and anxiety among residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s. This therapy is particularly effective because music memories are among the last to disappear in individuals with memory impairment. 

The use of music in memory care supports the LCS Heartfelt Connections memory care program by using reminiscence to improve the quality of life of seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Learn more about the Heartfelt Connections signature experience here. 

Host Joint Community Service Projects 

By partnering with local organizations, communities can host volunteer events that unite people of all generations under a service-driven purpose. At a number of Life Care Services communities, service work has helped enrich the lives of residents:

• At Sagewood in Phoenix, AZ, a volunteer fair brings residents together to sign up for on and off-campus volunteer opportunities. Community engagement at Sagewood offers residents a way to get out of their homes and into their neighborhood. 
• At Brandon Wilde in Evans, Georgia, residents have hosted and participated in a community ping pong tournament benefiting The Alzheimer’s Association. 
• At Friendship Village of Tempe in Tempe, AZ, residents connect with the public at Friendship Village’s community garden, which transforms underutilized green space into an agricultural hub for the neighborhood.  
• At Monarch Landing in Naperville, Illinois, a resident-run Political and Community Awareness Committee brings local organizations into the community to raise awareness about local issues and help residents learn how they can get involved.  

At the college level, it is common for schools to partner with senior living communities to offer a volunteer base and a way for students pursuing careers in healthcare or senior living to get involved. Colleges and universities have also begun opening their doors to seniors who are interested in taking classes or getting involved in extracurriculars. In recent years, senior living communities are even being built in collaboration with colleges or universities for a completely immersive educational experience. 

Broadview at Purchase College in partnership with LCS Development is one community that is redefining intergenerational connections and lifelong learning by creating a living environment both physically and socially intertwined with Purchase College. Alongside the opportunity for residents to attend lectures and exhibitions for free, Broadview will house classrooms, a makerspace, and a variety of other venues for students, faculty, and residents to join in the spirit of learning. Plus, Broadview residents can get out and about by attending collegiate sporting events, watching world-class performances, or pursuing intergenerational connections through The Children's Center at Purchase College. 

LCS Communities are Closing the Divide 

Broadview at Purchase College is just one example of how the LCS Family of Companies is reimagining senior living. With over 50 years of experience in the field of senior living, our team can guide you in delivering high-quality care to your residents. Contact us to learn more about our award-winning senior living experiences.