Heart Of Excellence

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For example, it is important for the resident to maintain contact with grandchildren after placement in one of our care facilities, especially if the resident enjoyed a close relationship before. In such cases, loss of contact with grandchildren may be perceived by the resident as abandonment or punishment.

But it's not just the resident who can benefit from intergenerational visits: younger family members also benefit from seeing older members, even after they are ill and frail. Visits with a grandparent show that families can stay committed to all of its members. These visits also show younger family members that life cycle is a natural process.

Very young children rarely react negatively to older or ill people, but may be fearful of going into strange environments. Older children and teenagers may respond negatively to illness or disability, and may need time and assistance in adjusting.

Your reaction to visiting ~ and to aging in general ~ will have an effect on those children. If you can show them, through modeling, that visiting with an older relative or friend can be rewarding and worthwhile, then the children's visits are more likely to be positive intergenerational experiences for everyone.

Preparing Younger Family Members:

	Describe what they are likely to see (people in chairs/beds, confused people wandering, etc.).
	Listen to their concerns and questions.
	Answer all of their questions.
	Acknowledge fears/concerns.
	Separate visit into segments and address how the child might feel and respond to each segment (e.g. residents, being in the room with Grandma, how Grandma has changed etc.).

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211 Heritage Drive, S.E.; Calgary, Alberta T2H 1M9
Last Updated: Thursday January 08, 2004 12:53 AM, Pacific Time