Inspiring Seniors Give Back
Seniors in a Seattle nursing home are helping pre-school children learn social skills and confidence. Mount St. Vincent, a senior care center with 400 residents, is also home to the Intergenerational Learning Center, a preschool. The Evan Briggs film, Present Perfect, follows the interactions of the children at ILC and the seniors of St. Vincent.
The seniors, Briggs said, did a “complete transformation in the presence of the children. Moments before the kids came in, sometimes the people seemed half alive, sometimes asleep. It was a depressing scene. As soon as the kids walked in for art or music or making sandwiches for the homeless or whatever the project that day was, the residents came alive.”
Watching the seniors and children interact, it becomes obvious why this arrangement is so beneficial for both. The children display a level of patience that few adults possess, and the some of the seniors are able to live solely in the present, the same way the children do. It’s inspiring to watch a program like this, and hopefully it will inspire others to start similar programs in their communities.
In another example of seniors helping young people, the residents of Windsor Park retirement community in Chicago are helping students on the other side of the world. Through FCB Brasil and the CNA Language Network, Brasilian teens are learning English through video chats with seniors. The program serves a dual purpose. The students get to practice English with native-speakers, and the seniors, many of whom experience isolation and loneliness, get an opportunity for social interaction.
Besides the obvious benefits, you can see that the students and seniors also formed rewarding relationships. Besides English, the seniors help the students learn confidence, social skills, and share advice on important life lessons. This program is a great example of innovative thinking for social good, and we hope to see more like it.
In both of these heartwarming stories, the seniors benefitted as much as the young people from simple human interaction and a little bit of fun.
Seniors are especially vulnerable to suffer from social isolation, which can lead to depression and even a decline in physical health. If you or someone you know is suffering from loneliness or isolation, and needs a little help, try Feather. We match seniors with compassionate caregivers who provide companionship and assistance with daily living.
Click below to learn more about how Feather helps seniors.
