FRIENDSHIP CROSSES GENERATION GAP
AT just 21 years old, Akaash Kumar has changed the lives of two residents at the Balmoral Grove nursing home in Grovedale.
A volunteer with the Red Cross, Mr Kumar has been visiting 93-year-old couple Ken and Edna Miles at least once a fortnight for more than a year.
Mr Kumar said he started volunteering at the nursing home after his grandfather passed away because he didn’t want to lose his connection to the older generation.
“In our world now, the younger and older generations are quite separated. It’s so important to just keep talking to your elders, to try to connect to them as much as you can,” he said.
“I wanted to bridge that gap and help prevent the social isolation that people in aged care can sometimes go through.”
A new Red Cross survey shows Australians are some of the world’s most generous people, with nearly four out of five believing that more individual action needs to be done to help those in need.
Mr Kumar said he finds his visits incredibly rewarding. He even celebrated his 21st birthday with the couple.
“Whenever I walk in their face lights up. It’s so rewarding just being able to connect and we talk about how everything has changed,” he said.
“I feel it’s about us being able to be show our respect and be grateful for what they’ve done for us.
“The older generation has so much wisdom to give and I’m glad I’ve been able to speak to these in- credible people who treat me like I’m family.”
Mr Miles, a World War II veteran who spent two decades working as journalist at the Geelong Advertiser, said he appreciates Mr Kumar’s visits and no longer has a feeling of isolation, rather he feels warmth, comfort and friendship.
“Constantly being around older people who tend to be set in their ideas, it’s great to speak to younger people who have different ideas and are open to change,” Mr Miles said.
“We speak about anything and everything and I appreciate how he’s interested in hearing about my life. We’re really grateful to Akaash for giving up his time to come and see us.”