Link Generations

Connecting Youth and Older Adults

In The News

Link Generations Summer Storytelling Series at Ingleside at King Farm is featured in the Washington Post

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See the Link Generations profile in the Washington Post. Link Generations is partnering with Ingleside at King Farm Retirement Community for a storytelling series for high school students and older adults. Read the Article!

Both age groups reported benefits from the summer experience.

Student statement:

I don’t have a favorite memory from this program. The whole program is my favorite memory.

Resident statements:

I love coming here. Talking to the teenagers makes me feel young again. The younger generation and the older generation have a lot in common. I think we are in good hands.

The series culminated with an ice cream social and reminiscence of favorite moments and lessons learned.

Link Generations Hits Home Run at Big Train Baseball Nonprofits Night

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Over 70 volunteers and supporters of all ages cheered on the Bethesda Big Train baseball team and Link Generations with an opening picnic and exciting game. Thanks to Big Train staff and volunteers for making the evening a fun success. It didn’t hurt that Washington weather cooperated with a beautiful evening to be outside.

The event was a chance for Advisory Board members Beth Newburger and Selma Sweetbaum to meet Founding Volunteer Board members Arielle Golder and Stephen Jin.

Evening highlights include:

Link Generations Advisory Board
Link Generations Advisory Board members in the picnic pavilion.
  • Kids running on the field with Big Train Baseball players for singing the national anthem.
  • Link Generations stress-baseball giveaways were used to get players’ autographs.
  • Link Generations club leaders from different schools got to meet.
  • Big Train Baseball fans learned about local nonprofits Link Generations and Comfort Cases.

Talking to Someone with Cognitive Decline

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“Post-It Note” Art
Senior Citizens Matter

Link Generations provides education to all age groups about aging. The more you know and understand about what someone else is experiencing, the more comfortable you will be interacting with him or her.

Tips on Talking to Someone with Cognitive Decline

  1. Be Present. Be in the moment. Avoid the urge to fill silences. Sit quietly using nonverbal communication like smiling or holding hands.
  2. Avoid Distractions. Try to find a place where there are limited distractions. This gives the person a chance to focus all mental energy on the conversation.
  3. Speak clearly and naturally in a warm and calm voice. Refrain from ‘babytalk’ or other condescending tones.
  4. Talk about one thing at a time.
  5. Listen actively. If you don’t understand something being said, do not argue. It is fine to let delusions and misstatements go.
  6. Have patience. Give the person extra time to process what is being said.
  7. Understand there will be good days and bad days. While the general trend of someone with cognitive decline is downward, people with dementia will have ups and downs just like everyone.

Link Generations Starts Network of High School Clubs

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Link Generations is starting a network of clubs at area schools and was featured in the Winston Churchill High School newspaper as a new opportunity for students in 2017-2018. Link Generations provides club materials and training and facilitates connections to nearby assisted living. Students gain leadership skills while planning fun activities based on their own interests. Click here for the full story.