One of the biggest ways seniors can feel a sense of belonging and togetherness while combating isolation and loneliness is through intergenerational community participation and programs. The vast majority of these programs provide seniors with opportunities to engage with others (i.e., other seniors, youth, adults) and take part in storytelling. 

Intergenerational programs allow seniors to positively impact themselves as well as the other individuals they interact with. Being able to share their thoughts and ideas with others, especially those who are younger, can give seniors a sense of purpose when individuals show a willingness to understand and listen to what these seniors have to say. In comparison to youth, seniors have already experienced a lot more than those who have may not experienced certain situations before yet. Therefore, seniors can offer any expertise or credible knowledge regarding certain topics due to their increased levels of experience. Intergenerational programs can also recognize and reduce the shame and stigma associated with aging in order to promote healthy living and aging among all individuals (McMaster University, 2018). 

A key component of intergenerational programs is its ability to deliver the opportunity for seniors to share their stories while also listening to the stories of others. Transparency can be quite powerful and one of the most influential ways you can be transparent and explicit is through storytelling. The stories told by seniors can be perceived as a verbal keepsake and memory by allowing individuals to gain insight as to who they are and what they have accomplished. Being able to reconnect with those memories and the memories of others creates a sense of purpose for seniors as they are able to relive some of the pivotal moments in their lives. 

Some seniors go through many life-altering situations (i.e., retirement, the shift to a retirement home, the death of a loved one) in which they may feel alone at times. The need for more intergenerational programs that emphasize the importance of storytelling should be further incorporated in all local communities. As seen through the daily efforts and initiatives at SKIP, SKIP is a prime example of an organization who continues to ensure that seniors and youth engage in ways that are meaningful to both generations. 

References:

McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. (2018). Intergenerational programs: It takes a village to age 

optimally.