4 Ways Intergenerational Relationships Benefit People of All Age Groups

Where there is an age gap in relations, there is selfless bonding endowed with values! – Anonymous

It is a popular notion that an intergenerational relationship is an exchange of experience and adaptability. Elders provide their young with wisdom they can’t receive anywhere else. On the other hand, the younger generation helps seniors to adapt to the social and technological changes around them.

Let’s try to contemplate this fact in a real-life situation!

If you have spent some of your summer breaks in childhood with your grandparents, you will remember how intriguing the stories of your grandparents used to be. Those tales from their past, whether made-up or real, had always left you in awe. The sublime love and warmth of their presence made you feel like the most loved person in the world.

Well, that’s the irreplaceable role seniors play in our lives! As parents and grandparents, the care and admiration they bestow upon their young are incomparable.

Now, who is the first person your parents or grandparents call when they find it hard to operate an app or face a problem with their computer? It’s either you or your siblings! You may be familiar with the adorable naivety with which they put their question and the divine hope with which they seek your opinion on things that are new to them.

That’s how the younger generation comes forward to assist their elders with the world around them that’s constantly changing. Home support services for seniors can have the same effect on our elders’ lives.

In hindsight, intergenerational communication is considered a two-way street of bonding and learning. In this post, we will discuss the benefits of intergenerational relationships and their impact on both young and old.

Throughout the discussion, we will also explore how some fun activities imbue mutual learning and an increased social connection. Before that, let’s look at some facts that reflect on the importance of intergenerational relationships:

Intergenerational Relations, Health, & Social Improvements

The presence of an elder acts as a force of mentorship that drives the youth to stick to their righteous values. The following facts based on several studies in the past years will show you how one benefits from intergenerational relationships:

• On average, people above 60 spend more than 7 waking hours alone. These hours are higher in Toronto and some other major cities in Canada.
• People have also admitted that frequent communication with grandparents helps them maintain good relations with their parents as well.
• More than 80% of youngsters were able to grab a thriving opportunity in the mentorship of a senior. Some of them also claimed to find intergenerational bonding helpful in symptoms of depression.

Intergenerational or cross-generational relationships have a multi-directional influence on our lives. While some studies have tremendously stated its significance for the young generation, seniors have been experiencing improvement in social engagement, mental health, and quality of life for quite some time now.

More importantly, the companionship of a kind and friendly person is known to diminish the risk of dementia and other similar diseases faced by elders in their age. It also infers why the responsibilities of companions are not like ordinary weekend caregiver jobs in Toronto.

Benefits of Intergenerational Relationships

Let’s take a deeper view of the benefits of intergenerational relationships:

1. Mutual Learning & A Boost in Knowledge

Let’s begin with an everyday example! Suppose, you are going through a conundrum at work or facing a problem with a friend. Seniors will offer genuine advice based on their own experiences. In another situation, you can help them how to operate a new iOS device and download the apps they might need. It’s like a give-and-take scenario, but with a more meaningful impact. 

2. A Sense of Purpose Instilled with Emotional Strength

Those who want to spend a few hours of their life doing something valuable get the best opportunity as a companion. When you know that you’re presence is appreciated, you become more confident and happy with yourself.

You get an immense sense of purpose by becoming the source of emotional strength for someone else. It is also a great work opportunity for those seeking weekend part-time jobs in Toronto.

3. Freedom from Isolation

As mentioned earlier, the gap in generation can be filled with knowledge and experience sharing. This transaction of ideas and adaptability is more influential than one can see. Above all, an intergenerational relationship helps seniors change their outlook on aging. Apart from this, it frees them from loneliness and social isolation inflicted by old age.

4. A Dignified Outlook on Aging

The companionship of a person from a younger generation lets our elders pass on the lessons and stories learned throughout their lives. There are many skills that only elders can teach to younger generations. A session of cooking and knitting where seniors get to guide someone can impeccably increase their confidence.

The willingness to live their lives with dignity comes to a track when they get to spend time with those who appreciate and truly enjoy their company.

How to Make Intergenerational Relationships More Nurturing with MF Homecare?

Cross-generational bond is an essential aspect of human communication as it sustains the conventional value in a close-knitted group of people. This form of emotional exchange is crucial to define the purpose of a life full of daily hustle. At MF Homecare, our vision is to promote intergenerational relationships and make their benefits available to society.

As a dedicated platform for elderly care services, we know the essence of small activities that can brighten up the life of our seniors. We understand how a conversation during a walk or storytelling can make elevate the mood and subdue loneliness. Therefore, our one-stop platform for hiring caregivers and companions streamlines the search for credible people who enjoy accompanying seniors.