Intergenerational Programs at Grace Village

Try explaining to a ninety-nine-yearold woman the younger generation’s fascination with Deep-fried Mars bars, Selfies, and Instagram, and you have the perfect example of an “Intergenerational Knowledge Gap”. Intergenerational programming is sometimes referred to as the Future of Aging Services, and nothing could be truer at Grace Village.

Over the past six months, the Recreation & Leisure team at Grace Village has worked with a planning team from Bishop’s College School to develop an intergenerational program specifically tailored to their seniors and students. The overall objective is to provide an opportunity for a diverse group of participants to come together to share, learn, and engage with one another, while encouraging the maintenance of a holistic wellness lifestyle. These reciprocal interactions are geared to help encourage intergenerational learning opportunities, challenge the participants’ notions of other age groups, and encourage community collaboration.

Over the semester the group has met bi-weekly and explored concepts of social wellness, spiritual wellness, intellectual wellness and physical wellness. Together the group has participated in a drum circle, therapeutic art activities, brain challenges and more. One of their favourite sessions was when the students shared about the various sports they are involved in, and then the residents had a chance to teach them a popular sport at Grace Village, Carpet Bowling! (And the residents won the tournament by ONE POINT!) To finish off the semester, the Grace Village residents enjoyed a wonderful Christmas concert by the BCS choir.

Throughout the sessions we have seen genuine connections forming, and both the students and the residents have developed a better understanding of each other.

The Recreation & Leisure team at Grace Village is working hard at establishing many different sources of Intergenerational Programming. They currently have learning connections with Champlain College’s Nursing and Special Care Counselling programs, as well as students from Alexander Galt High School, New Horizons, and Bishop’s University’s Psychology program. Grace Village has also welcomed volunteers from the Bishop’s University Psychology Club, Hope Community Church’s Youth and Young Adults programs, and the Lennoxville Youth Center. They also enjoy frequent interactions with the students from neighbour École La Source.

The research is strong, and the future is bright for Intergenerational Programming - Grace Village is excited to be growing in such an important area!

Submitted by Kristy Pyle Recreation & Leisure Assistant