Posted by The first time I saw the children walk into the nursing home, I braced myself for chaos. I had seen my mother withdraw into silence, and I assumed that a group of toddlers would only overwhelm her. Instead, something remarkable happened. A little boy wandered over to her chair and offered her a crayon. She took it, slowly, and began to draw a flower. She had not held a crayon in years. She had not smiled in weeks. That day, she smiled.
Intergenerational programs are not just about bringing children into nursing homes to sing songs. They are about creating meaningful, ongoing relationships between generations, relationships that benefit everyone involved. The children gain empathy and understanding. The residents gain purpose and connection. The research is detailed: these programs reduce social isolation, improve psychological well-being, and challenge the ageist stereotypes that separate us from one another.
For residents, the benefits are profound. A study conducted with 201 nursing home residents found that regular intergenerational visits led to a significant improvement in psychological well-being, with residents showing increased optimism and reduced pessimism after the visits. Social isolation is a major health risk for older adults, linked to a 29% higher risk of premature death, and these programs directly counter that threat. One nursing home manager described the transformation vividly: “When the children are here, they’re all full of smiles and keen to chat. Afterwards, you can see how happy they are. They always remember the days the children are coming in and look forward to it”. The relationships formed through these programs create consistent connection, which is essential for combating loneliness.
The impact extends even to residents with advanced dementia. Staff at one facility noted that even residents who rarely speak or are bedbound respond to the children. “Some of these residents are living with advanced dementia,” one nursing home manager explained, “but when the children start singing, you can see their faces light up with smiles”. It is a reminder that the capacity for joy persists even when cognitive function declines.
Intergenerational programs also give residents a renewed sense of purpose. In a society where older adults are often made to feel invisible, these programs provide a space for them to share their wisdom, skills, and life experiences. Residents become mentors, teachers, and storytellers, roles that restore their sense of worth. One program director captured this perfectly: “These programs remind everyone that aging does not diminish a person’s worth or ability. It gives seniors purpose and pride in passing something on to the next generation”.
The benefits for children are equally significant. Young participants in intergenerational programs develop empathy, improve their social skills, and form positive attitudes toward aging. In the ARISE program, which paired high school students with college mentors to engage with older adults through storytelling and art, participants reported that their negative perceptions of older adults transitioned to positive ones. They learned life lessons and gained a deeper appreciation for the prospect of living into older adulthood. They are learning that aging is not something to fear.
Implementing these programs does not require extensive resources. Some facilities partner with local schools or nurseries for regular visits. Others have built on-site daycare centers where children and residents interact daily. Even simple activities like arts and crafts, storytelling, and music sessions can create meaningful connections. The key is consistency and intentionality. As one administrator noted, “These programs are not just feel-good activities, but intentional practices with psycho-social benefits to the residents and developmental benefits for the children”.
The evidence supporting these programs is growing, and the potential for scaling them is enormous. Innovative programs like Perley Health’s intergenerational childcare centre in Ottawa and The Melody Project in New York City are serving as blueprints for national transformation. By reducing loneliness, fostering empathy, and rebuilding community, intergenerational programs are proving that connection across generations is one of the most powerful tools we have for improving health and well-being.
My mother never regained her words. But in those moments with the children, she did not need them. She smiled. She drew. She was present. That is the gift of intergenerational connection. It is not about fixing. It is about being together.
References
Laging, B., Slocombe, G., Liu, P., Radford, K., & Gorelik, A. (2022). The delivery of intergenerational programmes in the nursing home setting and impact on adolescents and older adults: A mixed studies systematic review. *International Journal of Nursing Studies, 132*, 104281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104281
Gurung, A., et al. (2022). Case study of intergenerational living in residential aged care. *Journal of Aging Studies*.
Shinan-Altman, S., & Werner, P. (2017). Intergenerational program for nursing home residents and adolescents in Korea. *Journal of Gerontological Nursing*.
Bender, M., et al. (2015). Grandfriends, an intergenerational program for nursing-home residents with dementia and preschool children. *Activities, Adaptation & Aging*.
Innovation in Aging. (2021). Intergenerational engagement in residential settings: A scoping review. *Innovation in Aging, 5*(Supplement_1), 844–845. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igab046.3090