The oldest living individuals today were born in the early 1900s. Imagine the sweeping changes they’ve witnessed in their lifetimes. Their childhoods were lit by candles and shaped by manual labor, in an era just beginning to industrialize. They lived through civil and world wars, battled deadly diseases before vaccines were commonplace, and endured global economic collapses. Over the decades, they’ve seen the arrival of air travel, antibiotics, television, spacecrafts, computers, and the internet—and now they’re navigating an entirely new world shaped by artificial intelligence, wearable technology, trade wars, and the side effects of constant digital connection. Just like the rest of us!
While the lives of today’s “digital natives” and our oldest generations may seem worlds apart, there’s tremendous value in bridging that gap. Intergenerational relationships offer a wealth of mutual benefits—emotional, social, and even cognitive—that are well worth nurturing.
Intergenerational Programs
Across the country, retirement communities, assisted-living centers, and other senior-focused facilities are adopting intergenerational programs designed to bring younger and older generations together. These initiatives often involve visits from children, teens, and young adults who participate in shared activities with residents—everything from reading and art projects to storytelling, gardening, and music.
One notable example is a senior living facility in Seattle that garnered national attention in The Atlantic for housing a preschool within its walls, encouraging daily interaction between residents and children. Similar programs have taken root in Minnesota, New York, and other states, driven by the growing awareness that such connections benefit everyone involved. As life expectancy increases and the population ages, more communities are recognizing the value of structured, meaningful cross-generational engagement.
Benefits for Children
One of the most profound benefits of fostering relationships between young people and older adults is the dismantling of age-related stigma. Many children grow up absorbing negative cultural messages about aging—messages that portray growing older as something to fear, pity, hide, or be disgusted by. These impressions are shaped by anti-aging advertisements, the underrepresentation of seniors in popular media, and societal anxiety around physical and cognitive decline.
Intentional intergenerational connections can challenge and change these assumptions. When children spend time with older adults, they begin to understand that life doesn’t lose its joy or meaning after retirement. Instead of viewing aging as a slow devolution, they see it as a continued evolution—rich with humor, wisdom, and stories worth sharing. Having early, positive experiences can shape a child’s lifelong perspective on aging, reduce anxieties surrounding their future both in and out of the workforce, and even curb their drive to invest in products and services that promise to delay the inevitable.
There’s also educational value. Children can learn history firsthand through the stories of older generations. They build empathy by engaging with people whose lives and experiences differ vastly from their own. A young volunteer in a community art class, for example, might form a deep bond with an unrelated octogenarian painting partner—strengthening their ability to empathize and engage creatively with their elders while also subconsciously making more room for the volunteer to connect with the older adults in their own family. They’ll be thinking about their painting buddy the next time they go to visit grandma or pull up to family dinner. Furthermore, in a study spearheaded by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, results showed that young people with older mentors (not related by blood) were 46% less likely to experiment with drugs, 50% less likely to skip school, and 33% less likely to behave violently than children without elder mentors.
Another interesting developmental finding is that both young children and older adults tend to inhabit the present moment in a way that promotes spontaneous joy. Kimberly Baar, director of Shoreville KinderCare in Oregon, observes that despite the age gap, children and seniors often engage with remarkable ease. “They’re all about the fun they’re having right then and there, just like the kids,” she explains—especially when memory challenges are involved.
Perhaps there’s something to the idea of a “second childhood.” And perhaps older adults and children, with their shared sense of playfulness and presence, make better companions than we’ve ever truly realized.
Benefits for Seniors
Older adults often feel a contagious sense of joy and freedom in the presence of younger generations, whether or not they’re related. That spark isn’t just emotional—it can have measurable health benefits. Studies show that seniors who regularly engage with children or young adults report lower rates of depression, loneliness, and restlessness. They also tend to enjoy improved physical health, greater cognitive resilience, and higher overall life satisfaction.
One of the most enriching roles a senior can take on is that of a mentor. Teaching or guiding a group of young people gives older adults a renewed sense of purpose, as well as a regular platform to share their stories, reflect on their experiences, and pass on personal wisdom. This kind of connection not only helps keep memory sharp—it also reinforces a deep sense of identity and value. In return, their younger companions offer them fresh perspectives, insights into current trends, and a link to modern technology and culture, helping seniors feel more connected and relevant in a rapidly changing world. In fact, in a study led by Harvard psychiatrist, George Vaillant, results showed that elders who were actively engaged in developing the next generation were “three times more likely to be happy” as those who were not.
Perhaps most importantly, intergenerational relationships are a powerful antidote to isolation—one of the most serious public health concerns facing older adults. The U.S. Surgeon General and the CDC have identified social isolation as a key risk factor for chronic disease, cognitive decline, and premature death. A lack of daily, meaningful interaction doesn’t just affect mood—it accelerates physical and mental deterioration and reinforces the damaging narrative that aging equals irrelevance.
But aging is inevitable—and intergenerational relationships remind us that it can also be meaningful, joyful, and deeply connected.
Takeaways
Intergenerational relationships offer remarkable mutual benefits. When older adults and young people spend time together, they each gain something valuable: youth learn perspective, resilience, and empathy, while seniors enjoy connection, purpose, and vitality. These bonds help younger generations navigate the complexities of modern life with more grace—and allow older adults to close out their final chapters with dignity, joy, and a sense of continued relevance.
Ultimately, the beauty of intergenerational connection is simple: it nurtures the mind, strengthens the heart, and makes life a little more fun—for everyone involved.
Want to help spark intergenerational connection in your community? One of the easiest ways to facilitate discussion between people in different age groups is to join with others in a creative hobby, such as photography, painting, dancing, book clubs, and gaming tournaments. If you’re wanting more ideas on connective hobbies you can engage in, check out our article ‘Finding a Hobby That’s Perfect For You.’
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Article updated 5/6/25.