Young and Old Coming Together: The Perfect Combination
As I’m writing this, I’m 32 years old and I have a group of friends who are all in their 50s. I met them through a local women’s group based at my yoga studio. When that group diminished, we stayed in touch, and I ended up starting a WhatsApp group and a book club with them.
I still speak to a lady who was a big part of my childhood, a youth leader at church who is now in her 70’s too.
For me, there’s something special about being around older people, I’ve learnt so much. I go to them for guidance because I not only trust them, but they have seen so much more of life than me so always have good advice. They also help me to see things have a different perspective.
I think the friendships work both ways. They seem to enjoy hearing from me and my perspective - especially as an unmarried woman without kids at an age where they probably would be married with a couple of children by then. My godmother (74 years old) has said, “you keep me young” and maybe that’s true?
There’s plenty of research that shows intergenerational relationships promote improved health, cognition function and a sense of purpose and motivation whilst reducing feelings of depression and anxiety (Future Care Group, 2023).
When I think about young people and older people coming together, I think of these words; connection, revitalise, stories, memories, laughter, and joy.
And that’s what we can bring for our community group members and residents. Having intergenerational activities on a regular basis brings all of the above (and more I’m sure!)
Over the years, there’s been a few popular TV programmes that showed the power of young and old mixing together. ‘Old People’s Home for 4-year-olds’ on Channel showed us how their friendships developed over time and what that meant to them.
We spoke to Cromwell House Activities Coordinator Angie as they have a group of nursery children who visit every week. On the importance of the younger generation mixing with residents she said: “The residents love it. They’ve sparked friendships with the children and look forward to their visits.
“Their favourite things to do together are reading, singing, playing football, walking around the garden and having picnics. The children feel like a part of the home and the residents make them feel so at home. One of the boys, Ellis likes to ring the bell and declare when it’s dinner time!”
"It’s hard to choose just one favourite heart-felt moment, but I think my favourite was when a 2-year-old Macy took Michael’s (a resident) hand and encouraged him to walk with her out to the garden. They walked hand in hand together. She started talking to Michael with her baby language & Michael answered back like he understood her. They laughed together. It was a beautiful sight! They probably did not understand each other, but there’s definitely a connection there - a vital component of a perfect friendship!
