The Magical Joy of Children and the Elderly Relating Together. Ten ideas You'll Love.

As the co-owner of San Clemente Villas by the Sea, a luxury retirement community for seniors, I love it when relatives bring over the grandkids and often great grandkids to spend time with grandma and grandpa.

Have you ever noticed how an elder’s eyes light up when a child they love enters the room? It's as though they instantly got twenty years younger. 

Children and elders just seemed to have a magical connection. It’s a connection that deserves to be cultivated and a way for you to give joy to your elderly loved one.

Children seemed to be drawn to elders. Perhaps they know that older people have so much to give. One thing that elders are happy to give children is their time. In a hurry and rushed world, that is truly a gift.

Do you remember your childhood visits with your elderly loved ones? I think most of us have cherished memories of spending time with our grannies and granddads. I looked forward to every summer because it meant going for a visit to see the grandparents.

Aging experts are catching on to this great connection. Many are now advocating programs that bring elders and children together. Gerontologists call it “inter-generational connections.” Decades ago, grandparents often lived with their grandchildren and sometimes, even with their great-grandchildren. It makes you wonder just how much our children and elders are missing because they don’t have this time to connect.

The love of so many activities has been fostered through the connection with an aging loved one. How many of us learned to garden, knit, fish, or cook due to the patience and love of an elder? All of us have the need to give and be needed. Seniors value being able to impart the wisdom they’ve earned. Children need that wisdom and connection with older people. It’s a win-win situation.

My good friend, Karen, has experienced firsthand the joy, and perhaps even the healing that children can bring to older folks. Her first grandchild was born just before her daddy had to have cancer surgery. Karen’s fears were overwhelming.

Her daddy was the cornerstone of her family. The only bright light that there was during those hard days was Punky. Karen’s daughter, Tara, would bring him to the hospital, so small he was still swaddled in blankets. His bright blue eyes would just make Karen melt.

She said that It truly was magic to watch the pain and dread disappear from her daddy’s eyes when Tara would lay Punky on his bed. Karen told me that God sent Punky to give her whole family the hope and joy that he brought to their lives. That was 10 years ago. Karen’s daddy survived and Punky has thrived. They still have a special connection.

Elders have so much to give to children – their wisdom, patience, love and acceptance. The joy that children bring to elders just cannot be matched. I encourage you to bring that joy to your elderly loved ones. You’ll be facilitating life-long memories, for both the elder and the child. I just imagine that you’ll have a great time, too. Don’t forget to bring out the camera and make these memories last!

Tips for things to do with elders and children –
1. Have a Tea Party
2. Go fishing
3. Draw, paint or color in a coloring book
4. Look through old photos
5. Decorate cookies
6. Plant a pot with flowers or veggies
7. Read a book
8. Play checkers
9. Blow bubbles
10. Fly a Kite