Posted in Triplett & Carothers on April 2, 2026
Loneliness is a serious issue faced by 1 in 3 seniors; it has a detrimental effect on mental health. To combat this, intergenerational programs are being tried across the country by senior communities with a vision. Those that have implemented these shared-experience programs report much success in terms of promoting self-confidence, reducing isolation and nurturing respect and friendships across the generations.
Seniors who participate in mentorship programs offer young people the benefit of their valuable life experiences and professional knowledge. This imparts a renewed sense of purpose on the part of the senior, who may be learning new technological skills and gaining new perspectives. Younger participants are not only gaining new knowledge but are also involved in forming relationships that foster emotional support.
Age-related stereotypes are often broken down as people begin to understand each other through shared activities. Gardening, storytelling, art classes, cooking, knitting, doing homework, reading to early readers or going on walks are some activities enjoyed by all. Some programs offer movie nights with a selection of films spanning the decades that appeal to both young and old. The event is geared toward encouraging discussion after the screening.
Everyone can win
Programs that match older adults with at-risk youth is an important way to bridge the gap between the two communities. These programs provide young people with positive role models that they may not find at home or in their neighborhoods. And research shows that those in assisted living communities benefit from cognitive stimulation.
A program that is gaining traction is co-locating child care and elder care in the same facility. There is a tremendous need for safe, quality child care in the United States, and these programs are born out of necessity. One example is Providence Mount St. Vincent in Seattle, a nursing home that shares a 300,000-square-foot facility with up to 125 children, from newborn to age 5. Its award-winning Learning Center has been in existence since 1991 and has been changing the way children and their families view aging.
With a shortage of nurses, especially in the field of gerontology, it is hoped that these programs will inspire children to seek a career in elder care by exposing them at an early age to working with elders.
The 81 Oaks Senior Living in Sarasota, Florida, is an independent living, assisted living and memory care center designed with multigenerational connections in mind. The facility boasts a K-8 charter school whose students have access to the Oaks throughout the day. Similarly, the Lexington Pointe Senior Living Community in Eagan, Minnesota, maintains a preschool program for local children on its campus. Clearly, senior living facilities will continue to evolve to meet the needs of their residents and the communities of which they are a part.
It may not be long before many assisted living facilities will see wagons full of babies and toddlers taking rides through their hallways to the delight of the residents. Intergenerational programs are making a difference in the lives of children, seniors and caregivers alike.
Reach out to Roz Carothers and her team at Triplett & Carothers to learn more.
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