Link Generations

Connecting Youth and Older Adults

In The News

2018 Intergenerational Art Program at Ring House

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The Intergenerational Art Program at Charles E. Smith Life Communities in Rockville offered high school and college students an opportunity to support older adults as they created beautiful works of abstract art. Volunteers enjoyed the satisfaction of forming a relationship with an older adult, while gaining valuable experience that prepares them for careers in such fields as art education, art therapy, psychology or social work.

The program was offered by Charles E. Smith Life Communities in partnership with Link Generations. The program is based on the award-winning, nationally recognized art-making program for people with memory loss developed at Miami University’s Scripps Gerontology Center in Ohio.

Connections | April 2018

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Join Us For Our 2nd Annual Picnic & Baseball Event

Join us on Wednesday, June 20 for our 2nd Annual Picnic and Baseball event at the Bethesda Big Train Baseball Nonprofits Night. The Bethesda Big Train is a team of college all-stars from all over the country who play in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League. Bethesda Big Train Baseball plays at Shirley Povich Field in Cabin John Regional Park near Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Evening Line-Up

5:30 pm Picnic Hosted by Link Generations, Davis Family Picnic Pavilion
6:50 pm Ceremonial First Pitch Thrown by Link Generations Volunteers
7:00 pm Big Train Baseball Game, Shirley Povich Field

Suggested donation is $25 per ticket (includes game and picnic). Donations benefit Link Generations, Inc., 501(c)(3) and are tax deductible.

[Read more…] about Connections | April 2018

Ring House Program Features Computer Training

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The Link Generations program at Charles E. Smith Life Communities brings together local high school students and independent living residents for sharing wisdom and learning about each other. The premise of the Link Generations program is to connect young people with older adults in fun activities that benefit all participants. The older participants relate their hard-earned wisdom to the younger generation while the students keep Ring House residents informed of the latest trends in society.

The student participants also receive hands-on training about aging and working with older adults. The goal is to create intergenerational experiences that help people of all ages feel a sense of purpose and connection to others. Click here for more details.

Connections | January 2018

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New Years Vision Board Session at Ring House

A group of 25 student volunteers and residents met at Ring House on January 7 to talk about setting goals and create vision boards for 2018. One resident expressed the importance of looking toward the future “now more than ever” and urged us all to focus on the “usage of time rather than the passage of time.” Themes included learning new technology, trying new hobbies, socializing with friends, and moving for physical fitness. Another resident told her kids not to visit that day so she wouldn’t have to miss the Link Generations program. She loves talking to teens who “make her feel young again.

Link Generations Research Outcomes

Statements by participants during the intergenerational discussions show that older adults feel a sense of purpose from these interactions.

“The program is about sharing experiences of different ages and from different cultures. That’s how people learn to understand each other. We need that, especially today.”

“I love coming here. Talking to teens makes me feel young again.”

Statements from student volunteers demonstrate improved attitudes toward older adults and increased comfort in working with them.

“We have a lot in common,” said one student. A resident talked about coming to this country because of war. She felt abandoned and alone. “I can relate to this.”

“We all felt nervous and awkward the first day. Over time it got better.”

Initial survey data demonstrates improvement in young people’s attitudes toward aging and comfort in working with older adults. Student participants who completed pre-and post-survey data reported increased comfort in spending time with older adults after the program. They were also more likely to disagree with the statements: most older people are alike; and as people grow older, their intelligence declines.

Club Connections: Upcoming Events and Programs

In February, the Link Generations Gaithersburg High School Club is planning an event with the National Science Honor Society at Ingleside at King Farm. Students from the North Star Academy will also return to Ingleside for a program in February.

Ingleside residents have requested more programming with teens from local high schools, and are looking forward to a second Summer Storytelling Series in 2018.

In other summer news, Charles E. Smith Life Communities is recruiting student volunteers for an Opening Minds through Art (OMA) Program July-August 2018 at Ring House. OMA is an award-winning, nationally recognized art-making program for people with memory loss. The program was developed at Miami University’s Scripps Gerontology Center in Ohio. It is designed to promote the joy, social interaction and accomplishment of people with dementia through small-group sessions where each older adult is paired with a volunteer-partner.

Contact Lori@linkgenerations.org or visit www.linkgenerations.org for more information about upcoming programs.

Connections | November 2017

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Link Generations Launches Connections

Our Connections Newsletter is designed to give you quarterly updates about Link Generations activities. We had a busy first year of connecting youth with older adults. Among the many milestones, Link Generations Summer Storytelling Series at Ingleside at King Farm was featured in the Washington Post. The partnership with Charles E. Smith Life Communities is going strong with monthly programs featuring music, computer training, and other fun activities to create inter-generational experiences that help people of all ages feel a sense of purpose and connection to others. Click here for more details.

Club Connections

Link Generations Starts Network of High School Clubs: Link Generations has started a network of clubs at area schools. We provide club materials and training, and facilitate connections with nearby assisted living communities. Students gain leadership skills while planning fun activities based on their own interests. Students can earn SSL hours. For more information or to get involved, contact Lori Marks at lori@linkgenerations.org.

Dance Party at Ring House

Over 40 residents and teens taught each other dance moves during last Sunday’s Link Generations dance party at Ring House. The next event at Ring House is Sunday, December 10, 1:30 pm.  Learn more.

Make Link Generations Your Gift to the Teens and Older Adults in Your Life on #GivingTuesday

Giving Tuesday Logo

Donate to Link Generations as part of #GivingTuesday, the global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and countries around the world. Your contribution to Link Generations helps to educate young people about aging and connect youth and older adults in interactive activities that provide psychological, emotional, and social benefits to both populations. Link Generations is a 503(c) (3) organization.  Contributions are tax-deductible. Visit www.linkgenerations.org to donate now.

Improving Communication with Older Adults

As the holiday season approaches, you may be with people of multiple ages. The normal aging process often means that people’s sensory systems, like vision and hearing, begin to decline. Being aware of this when you are talking to older adults can enhance your conversation and prevent the frustration of miscommunication. The below pointers can apply to all situations and  age groups, but are especially important to celebrate and give thanks for each other during the holidays.

  1. Show some respect. This goes for everyone: respect people of all ages.
  2. Remember what you have in common. You may think your experiences around technology, for example, are different, but in communicating with family and friends, recognize the commonalities, the wonder of learning something new, and the excitement around holiday traditions.
  3. Recognize each other’s strengths. Older adults have a wealth of history and wisdom to share. Young people have energy and new ideas about innovation.
  4. Allow extra time for older adults. Someone who has trouble hearing may feel hesitant about engaging in conversation. Spend extra time to help make that person feel more comfortable. You may be surprised at the stories you hear!
  5. Avoid distractions. Try to give a few minutes of your undivided attention to each individual. They will feel that you have spent quality time with them. Avoid auditory and visual distractions to enhance that quality time.
  6. Sit face to face. Some older adults have vision and hearing loss, and reading your lips may be important for them to understand you. This simple act conveys that the person is important to you.
  7. Maintain eye contact. This tells the other person you are interested in them and they can trust you.
  8. Listen. Good communication depends on good listening.
  9. Speak slowly, clearly, and loudly. The normal aging process involves a slower rate of taking in information. Speaking slowly and clearly takes this into account. Speak loudly to be heard without shouting.
  10. Exercise patience and compassion. After all, compassion is what this holiday is all about!