“It doesn’t matter how old you may be, when you’ve got something in common with me.” So sing the participants of the Birch Creek Assisted Living Center’s Kids’ Club at each of their activities. The club is just one of the examples in Cache Valley of the growing trend of incorporating intergenerational activities into assisted living and retirement communities.
Several years ago, during an intergenerational activity at Sunshine Terrace, a baby crawled towards an elderly woman who was hard of hearing and visually impaired. The little girl pulled herself up on the woman’s walker and reached out her finger. A weathered finger reached back and touched the delicate one in return.
Time seemed to stop at that moment for Tessa Buck, a woman completing her practicum in musical therapy, who would go on to become the Life Enrichment Director at Birch Creek.
“It was just this magical moment,” recalled Buck. “The resident whispered, ‘It’s been so long since I touched a baby.’”
The Zollinger family having fun with Grandma Peterson at the Summer Carnival and Vintage Car Show on Saturday, September 13th.
The moment touched Buck deeply and was one of the reasons she started Kids’ Club a little over two years ago. From the “Hello” song she wrote herself, to the dedicated bonding time with instruments, stories and crafts, Buck is all about creating that same type of connection between the generations.
Kids’ Club is a free, year-round activity that takes place every Friday. The kids and parents love to spend time with their ‘grand-friends.’ As for the residents of Birch Creek who participate, both Buck and the new Life Enrichment Director, Ben Kaufman, agree it is a highlight of the week.
“There is a visible excitement, even from memory care residents,” said Kaufman. “They are able to remember either the feeling of being around little kids or the excitement of playfulness, too. Kids’ Club provides an appropriate and intentional space where they can be playful. It is breaking the stigma that older adults don’t want to engage in playful and recreational activities.”
Buck has now moved on from Birch Creek and as her successor, Kaufman said he plans to continue Kids’ Club as close as possible to Buck’s original creation. To sign up for Birch Creek Kids’ Club, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fgc3WE4qzCIre0EWoBfGqY7iLMIHseGugwrNZXhuQV4/viewform?edit_requested=true
Cache Valley Assisted Living residents and children participate together in a summer kids club.
Cache Valley Assisted Living Center recently concluded the inaugural season of its own summer kids’ club. Residents were actively involved in the planning of activities which included science experiments, crafts, and always a treat.
Shana Drollinger, Executive Director, believes intergenerational activities go a long way to bridging the generation gap, especially for kids that might be a little more nervous around seniors.
“Doing something fun and interactive helps them to see that the residents aren’t scary,” said Drollinger. “They can laugh with them and tease each other and that really helps the younger ones not be so scared of the older generation.”
In addition to the summer club, and the center’s traditional bike parade around the 4th of July, Drollinger is also planning on speaking to elementary schools in the valley and starting a pen pal program, which she believes will mutually benefit her residents–who love to receive old-fashioned mail, and students who are learning to write and may enjoy having a friend to exchange letters with.
On September 27th, from 3-5 pm, the center is hosting a community and family fall festival. There will be hay rides – which the residents are particularly excited about – games, crafts, a chili dinner, and the opportunity to make fresh apple cider. It will be at the center located at 233 North Main in Providence.
Families can check out www.cachevalleyassistedliving.com for details about future structured intergenerational activities but Drollinger also encourages people to become more actively involved on their own as well.
“Even if kids are just coming to say hi, the residents really love it,” said Drollinger. “If families have nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon, there is always someone here to talk to.”
For Chris Sorensen, Executive Director for Williamsburg Retirement Community, the passion for intergenerational activities started when he was a young CNA and had the opportunity to live at Williamsburg with his wife. When his first child was born, Sorensen saw firsthand the joy his daughter brought to dozens of “extra grandparents.” He strongly believes that intergenerational activities are important, especially as the country is heading into what is referred to at times as the “silver tsunami.”
“For whatever reason, sometimes people just feel nervous being around people older than them,” said Sorensen. “Any time we can create these activities that help mix generations, we are helping break down barriers that exist between the generations. And that is just going to help younger people be successful later on in life. There will be tons of opportunities for men and women who are now children to spend their whole career helping seniors.”
At Williamsburg, there are activities that are geared specifically towards residents and their families, the goal being to create a tight-knit neighborhood within its walls. Such is the Mother’s Day tea, an annual elegant tradition with mothers, daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters. Other intergenerational activities involve the outside community, such as the hugely popular annual Halloween carnival and Easter egg hunt.
On Wednesday, September 24th, from 6-8 p.m., there will be an old-fashioned bonfire in Williamsburg’s beautiful backyard and the community is invited. Williamsburg is located at 132 W. 300 N. in Logan.
For the mutual benefits it brings across the generations, Sorensen encourages families to take a look around and become involved in senior living communities.
“We would just really encourage people to follow the Facebook pages of the communities that they live by,” said Sorensen. “I bet I can speak for every community in this valley that they are constantly trying to do things to encourage communities to come together. We want families to come to our buildings. That’s what we’d encourage people to do. Follow the pages and make an effort to go out and participate in the activities that they are planning every month.”