Our Services

Bridging the Generational Gap

Adopt an Elder

Covid-19 has elevated awareness to the lack of social connections experienced by many older adults. More and more, older adults are becoming orphaned elders. An orphaned elder is defined as “an older person who is socially or physically isolated, without an available family member or caregiver to help them manage aging” (Eltagouri, 2016). According to Cockrell (2020), loneliness and isolation can negatively impact seniors’ well-being. Programming, such as, “Adopt an Elder” is needed to bring companionship to seniors. The “Adopt an Elder Program” addresses needed services to seniors in assisted and independent living facilities in underserved communities. The program provides orphaned elders with meaningful relationships and routine wellness checks that assess their physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. “Adopt an Elder Program” helps older adults cope with the feeling of loneliness that orphaned elders typically experience.

Generation to Generation

Social isolation, loneliness, and suicidal tendencies are conditions often associated with the elderly. However, these issues have sharply increased across younger generations (Herring, 2019). Research confirms, we need fulfilling relationships with individuals our own age and across the generations to lead lives that are productive and rich in meaning and purpose (Herring, 2019). The “Generation to Generation Program” will connect youth and older adults in activities that benefit all generations. “Generation to Generation Program” will improve mental and physical health, promote social relationships, increase self-esteem, bring awareness and understanding to cultural differences, create a sense of self-value, and enrich the lives of all participants and their communities. The program provides an opportunity for various generations to connect, to share their knowledge and experiences while developing intergenerational relationships and embracing generational diversity.

Strengthening Families through Digital Connections

Families play a central role in the lives of its members and serve as a source of strength and support. Having a supportive family provides emotional support, economic well-being, and increases overall health. A family’s social support is one of the main ways that family positively impacts health. Social relationships, such as those found in close families, have been demonstrated to decrease the likelihood of the onset of chronic disease, disability, mental illness, and death (George & Durham, 2016). In the wake of COVID-19, many families experienced family separation that initiated feelings of anxiety, depression, fear, and confusion. There is an undeniable existence of trauma experienced by families when they are involuntarily separated. “Strengthening Families through Digital Connections Program” keeps older adults who feel isolated and families who have been separated connected through digital technology. The program builds and/or strengthens the bonds among family members who have been separated caused by illness, pandemics, relocation, etc. “Strengthening Families through Digital Connections Program” provides a platform via technology for family members to stay connected during short or long term separations.

Connected Conversations

Intergenerational conversations are an important aspect of understanding cultural and generational differences. Intergenerational conversations can break down stereotypes, dispel ageism, and provide a platform to share ideas across different generations with varying generational perspectives, experiences, and social/educational backgrounds. Programs that promote connectedness between young children and older adults have proven to benefit the young and the old. According to Jenkins, Lambert, and Fruit (1991), children who interact with older adults in intergenerational programs develop a positive attitude toward adults and are willing to help, interact, and cooperate with older adults.

“Connected Conversations Program” is based on a research project conducted by Penn State University (Between “LOL” and Yesteryear”) that addresses the scope of intergenerational solidarity for debunking ageism. “Connected Conversations Program” strengthens communities by eliciting cross cultural solidarity. The program creatives an opportunity for reflection and awareness about age-related discrimination through multimedia art and digital storytelling education.

Quotes

“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship."

“The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention...A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words."

“We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fivers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results.”