Value of Intergenerational Relationships

Did you know that September is Intergeneration Month? This dedicated celebration encourages communities to intentionally connect generations, fostering meaningful communication about age-related gratitude and unique healthcare needs. This powerful social bond is known as an intergenerational relationship.

Coincidentally, we revisit the historic opening of the Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC Bilingual Preschool) at Áegis Gardens in Newcastle. This innovative facility is one of the few shared sites for youth and older people in the U.S., beautifully blending early childhood education with senior care. Bringing book-end generations together in one location for targeted programming nurtures both populations, providing incredible short and long-term benefits. By embedding seniors into a preschool environment, children thrive under the added attention of an engaged elder. This unique intergenerational relationship makes children feel valued while building deep respect for older people.

Overcoming Age Segregation in Society

The generational separation mentality begins early. As we go through school, the job force, and perhaps even parenthood, we tend to stick to our immediate peer groups for social interaction. This structural division slowly pushes elder generations into isolation as they age out of family homes and transition into retirement.

Non-profit groups Generations United and The Eisner Foundation published a landmark study titled “I Need You, You Need Me: The Young, The Old, and What We Can Achieve Together.” Every single participant surveyed admitted we live in an age-segregated society. In this study:

• 53% of American adults say they do not regularly spend time with individuals much older or younger than they are outside of their immediate family.

• Young adults (ages 18–34) appear to be the most isolated from other cohorts, with 61% reporting a very limited number of much older or younger acquaintances.

By dividing age groups, our society gives rise to ageism, stalls solidarity, and denies individuals the chance to learn from one another. A whopping 76% of surveyed adults believe ageism is a serious societal problem. The good news? Roughly 9 out of 10 adults believe community initiatives built around a shared intergenerational relationship benefit everyone. Furthermore, 92% of adults believe seniors experience profound mental and cognitive health advantages by building relationships with children.

While young adults have recently felt vilified by older cohorts (such as millennials vs. baby boomers), introducing structural programming early in life opens healthy dialogue. It gives both a pediatrician and a senior-focused geriatrician a shared framework for holistic, lifelong community health.

How an Intergenerational Relationship Creates New Opportunity

Communities that mix generations, like the CISC Bilingual Preschool at Áegis Gardens, offer continuous opportunities for children and elders to co-learn. Sharing in activities like holiday festivals, cooking, reading stories, arts, crafts, and music helps combat isolation and senior depression.

Áegis Living Founder, Dwayne Clark, knows this firsthand. For over 20 years, bringing children into Áegis Living communities has proven that the smiling faces of youth bring a vibrant energy that completely revitalizes seniors. Cultivating a continuous intergenerational relationship ensures seniors maintain a strong sense of daily purpose, enabling them to actively contribute to their local community and empower the next generation.