What is Intergenerational Care?

Intergenerational care is a new concept in the United States, and so far, it has had great results. This type of care involves two or more generations of individuals living together or receiving care together. One of the largest skilled nursing facilities in London, England, has been using this type of care for several years now, and it has been so effective that other facilities are taking notice. The Nightingale House has several toddlers that also receive care on the premises, and this experience has helped improve the mood and quality of life of hundreds of seniors.

 

The ultimate goal of this type of care is to help the elderly to live longer and more fulfilling lives. There is not a lot of scientific evidence confirming whether this particular method works or not yet, but in the past studies have shown that being surrounded by people is good for the elderly. Those who live in communities where people show genuine interest in their lives is far better for mental health than living in colder institutions or in isolation. People thrive when they feel loved and can love back and this type of care definitely utilizes this concept.

 

This is not a new concept, even if it is new in the U.S. It has been used in parts of Asia and Europe for many years, and has been found to be very successful. It has been found to help both younger and older individuals find a new sense of meaning and responsibility in life and has even shown to help reduce senior care costs in many instances. In Europe especially, this type of care pairs adults in their early 20s with seniors and helps them to split the burden of living. Those who have volunteered to take part in these types of programs have had immensely positive experiences. While not the same as the intergenerational care described above, it works on the same principle. By surrounding seniors with people from other age groups, compassionate interaction is achieved in a more natural way. This improves mental health and helps to restore a purpose in life. People are social creatures, and being with other people is immensely helpful.

 

Intergenerational care involves two or more generations of individuals living or receiving care together. So far, it seems to be very effective.

 

Is this type of care perfect for everyone? Absolutely not. But it is right for some. And if you’ve never heard of this type of care, it’s one more option to add to your list. You owe it to your loved ones to find the best type of care possible for them, and that means evaluating as many realistic options as possible.

 

Most areas of the U.S. do not currently have this type of care offered in an institutional setting. However, this does not mean that it cannot exist nearby. In fact, this only shows why family care can be such a powerful tool for seniors. When a senior receives care in their own home, either from a family member or an in-home care specialist, they are able to spend time with their family–including small children.

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