Two generations are dealing with each other for the sake of all concerned. This blog is about implementing new institutions with the elderly and children under one roof. Simply put, it is about the creation of a better system of care.
As you know, our retirement homes and the care for children are a concern for many people. Our system forced young parents to put their parents in a retirement home and their children in a daycare center. As time changes, we now have a new way of working and living. But don’t you think it would be interesting for the elderly to see the world again through the eyes of a young being, full of wonder, joy, curiosity, and a high willingness to learn? What if, we bring these strictly separated institutions together?
Current situation
The introduction sounded like a new approach, but in fact, it is not. I thought of having the ground-breaking new idea, the solution for the growing demand for caring institutions. But my illusion was quickly destroyed when I searched on the Internet on what is already out there. In West Seattle is the institution Intergenerational Learning Center (ILC (2018). Providence Mount St. Vincent), where the elderly and children can learn from each other. The trigger behind the ILC was that the residents were missing one thing- the joy of children. Therefore, inside the Providence Mount St. Vincent senior care facility, a daycare center is integrated. The daily schedule is filled with some planned and spontaneous activities like dancing, lunch, storytelling, or just visiting. It is the home of more than 400 elderly and around 125 children (aged between six weeks and five years old). ILC published a Video (The Growing Season Film. (04.06.2015). Trailer – YouTube) to show daily procedures, which were just heartwarming. Both generations treat each other with dignity and respect. It was touching and pleasant to see the joy in the eyes of the residents. It transmitted the feeling of belonging, happiness, and living in the moment. Surprisingly, it has been operating for over three decades means this revolutionary approach runs for a while. How come that it is not happening in larger dimensions or people know about this idea? Or did you?
Benefits
There are many benefits as an intergenerational institution offers many enriching interactions. It looks like a Win-Win-Situation, for parents, children, the elderly, and the institution. Further, it is a valuable approach in terms of ecological and economic aspects. The following sections take an in-depth examination of the different benefits from various perspectives.
Children
Children need a lot of time and patience, and they can entertain themselves for hours on trivial activities. But still, someone has to care for them, at the latest when their megalomania kicks in. They need to feel welcome and require a lot of attention. In this case, the older generation can give this along and provide the younger one with wisdom and knowledge. Besides, children have many different playmates and role models, which helps children breaking down stereotypes and barriers between generations. They appreciate diversity as they see people in wheelchairs, others speechless, and still others with limited motor capabilities. Therefore, children learn at a young age to accept everyone.
Moreover, children become familiar with a broader perspective of family lives. They discover a comprehension of the natural aging process. Furthermore, death is omnipresent, and children become aware that death is part of life. They learn to deal with goodbyes, loss, and sadness at an early age.
Elderly
Benefits for the elderly generation are the opportunity to be reintegrated into family life and feel needed. They have a sense of purpose, a reason to get up in the morning, and something that drives them. It might rekindle the sense of wonder and humor, which children spray.
Further, it is easier to communicate with children as the conversation is light and short. Many elderlies feel alone and isolated, have depression and mental health problems. Children can help there to overcome their worries and fears and live in the moment. Imagine an 85-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease holds a toddler in her arms. Holding might reawaken her motherly feelings as hormones spray through her body and both feel closeness.
Institution
Alongside the social benefits, it could be interesting from an economic point of view. Institutions can make use of synergies and cooperation. A great deal of daily work in a daycare center or old pensions is finding occupation for its people. Besides, the daily schedules are similar for both generations; have fun, play, sing, and talk. In an intergenerational institution, one task like dancing or painting suddenly is covered by both generations. Both are involved in the activity, which requires less money, time, and space. The elderly engage with children, therefore is no need for additional employees. Those synergies are in the interest of the institution itself as it is financially lucrative. Even if it does not require less staff, either way, it is a relief for the employees when generations spend the time with each other. When it comes to cooking, the diet is very similar, with lots of porridge or mush, which is easy to chew. There is no demand for the extra effort in the kitchen.
The larger context
With the growing population, also due to our advanced medical knowledge, people are getting older. Parents have to work more and give their children more frequently to daycare centers, which calls for more social institutions on both ends of the spectrum. When both institutions are under the same roof means a release for the parents, as they only must tackle one route, which is also environmentally friendly. When it comes to sustainability, it is beneficial that rooms, spaces, and kitchens are shared. The question remains of how this is going to be financed. In some countries, municipalities or governments supported care institutions as retirement homes are costly, and daycare is rather expensive. Therefore, some states even assist parents with child supplements. Likewise, such intergenerational institutions need financial support.
Risks
Next to many advantages, there are some risks, which we must consider. There must be some reason why it is not more spread around the world. One reason might be that the older generation must still be in good health conditions to care for children or be with children. Perhaps one envisions it to be too simplistic. Depending on their state of health, older people need round-the-clock care. The same applies to children with special needs as it is too strenuous.
Additionally, there might be some deniers who do not believe in concepts like those. Some parents might be strictly against such approaches as they do not trust unconventional institutions. Many parents put their children into early education programs and want their children to be encouraged adequately to reach their full potential. Nowadays, it is common for children to take early Chinese, early ballet classes, and violin hours or God knows where else. Probably, this comes from our performance-oriented society, which also puts children under pressure.
Further, some might argue that it is tough to prepare the next generation for the challenges of the 21st century with a mindset of the last century. Therefore, it is challenging to convince the parents to put their gifted children in an alternative learning environment. One solution could be that the monetary side regulates this, which means that such institutions are cheaper than conventional ones.
Relation to Design Management
Firstly, design is about creating possibilities, and Design Management is all about collaboration and bringing people together. An intergenerational institution fosters collaboration between different age groups, utilizes synergies, and brings different perspectives together. Further, Design Management is about tackling complex problems and improving a situation into a better one. It creates new ways of thinking, a good atmosphere and makes people happy. This institution would create a system in the system and solve many problems at once. Intergenerational institutions are humanistic and put people at the center of the solution, but the social institution offers added value in sustainable and financial aspects.
Unfortunately, this concept is not widespread around the globe. But there is a possibility to do so, which could be considered a design management task. Maybe it is to raise awareness in society about this concept and its benefits. Maybe in 10 years, parents have the opportunity to decide in what kind of institutions they put their children and their parents.
Conclusion
I am convinced that such institutions are successful as it fills gaps, which our system created. Further, I believe that both generations can benefit from each other. They need each other because it is natural to let them interact with each other instead of separating them. What we are doing with the elderly and how we care for our children is gaining importance. Those are current issues, which we cannot ignore. We are the generation who must solve this. Maybe I am the Design Manager, who brings this concept closer to society. What about you? Are you interested in supporting with any recommendations?
Author: Melanie Arnold
Sources
Intergenerational Learning Center. (2018). Providence Mount St. Vincent https://www.providence.org/locations/wa/mount-st-vincent/facility-profile/intergenerational-learning-center
Generations united. (2021). Generations united https://www.gu.org/who-we-are/mission/
Daycare inside a nursing home. (2019). Denver Channel News https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/national/daycare-inside-a-nursing-home-yes-and-its-a-big-hit-in-seattle?fbclid=IwAR3__89yUNYLSNnYoAQD4Pln5bw1kXRXAA8xncGFh35GJPuNbDuqm-kNyDQ
The Growing Season Film. (04.06.2015). The Growing Season Trailer – YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/embed/6K3H2VqQKcc?rel=0&wmode=transparent
Thank you very much for your interesting blog post. When reading it, many thoughts crossed my mind. First of all, I’m sorry that you had to realize that “your” idea is already being implemented. Nevertheless, I believe it is a very interesting topic and might be a “potential candidate” for your bachelor thesis. What I enjoyed when reading, is the enthusiasm you have for the topic. In my opinion, you did a great job in bringing this feeling across to the reader. The blog is also well structured, what makes it easy to follow. Furthermore, your analysis was very holistic, as you looked at the concept from different perspectives. A perspective which you touched on but may need elaboration is the one from the employees, who have to look after the two generations. I was wondering what education they have – are they carers or educators? Aren’t they overwhelmed with the task of looking after two generations because they need more knowledge of how to take care of them?
Even though, I am familiar with the concept because there is such an institution in Bern, (you may want to check it out, it is called Generationenhaus Bern) I learned in every paragraph something new, or it triggered thoughts in me. Especially your sentence “some might argue that it is tough to prepare the next generation for the challenges of the 21st century with a mindset of the last century” made me wonder if that isn’t exactly what we should preserve in our society. Elderly people may not be able to show kids how to download an app, but they can pass on traditions like for e.g. a craft. Such institutions may help us preserve these traditions.
I agree that this concept could be a sustainable solution for the future of how we live together, and I would enjoy reading more about it. Thank you for triggering thoughts – I hope I triggered some with my comment.
claimed by Jeanne