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Toddlers and Centurions – Intergenerational Activities

April 1, 2021

They say “It takes a village to raise a child”; Knowledge, wisdom, and unconditional love by seniors have a lasting effect on children. Children can also bring happiness and smiles to seniors. We can reminisce about the past when extended families lived close together on the same street or in the same town and interacted frequently.

Manor on the Hill (pre-pandemic) had a “Adopt a Grandparent Program” where preschool children came every month to do activities with the residents. This was the most popular activity for both generations.

Meaningful activities between seniors and children can be fun and educational.


Here are examples of things that the seniors can talk about bringing back nostalgic memories and educating the children at the same time:


  • Tin of Spam: Most children will have no idea what it is however seniors will have memories of tinned meat that could be transported and stored without refrigeration.
  • Rotary phone: Dialing numbers one-by-one, one mistake or busy line and had to start all over again
  • Payphones and a dime in their penny-loafers to call home. Many may have used their dime for a treat at the corner store.
  • Printed references like the phone book, TV Guide and an Encyclopedia set
  • Gramophone records; Side A & B with a handful of songs
  • Silent movies & news reals
  • Rationing during the wars
  • Games they played

For Valentine’s Day Lali and Neeva, made Valentine cards for all the residents which brought joy to everyone’s day. Under normal circumstances, Lali and Neeva would have baked cupcakes and cookies with the residents but it had to be done virtually this year.

As life gets back to normal here are few examples of fun activities we plan to revive/resurrect:

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Nature Walks
  • Baking and Cooking
  • Puzzles and Games
  • Reading Together
  • Gardening
  • Tablet or Smartphone Play
  • Lunch Date


These activities bring joy to both the residents and the children. Elderly residents find that the interaction with the youngsters comes without judgment and gives them something to look forward to. Having these socially interactive activities are motivating to the residents because like the children they get undivided attention, singing songs, sharing & hearing stories, doing art projects, and much more.

A woman in a wheelchair is holding a certificate on the front page of a leominster champion newspaper

107 Year Young Manor Resident in Leominster Champion News

September 26, 2019
Norma Schofield, a resident of Manor On The Hill, celebrating her 107th birthday with family and friends. She also appeared in Leominster Champion Newspaper. Click here to read what her son has to say.
A woman is brushing another woman 's hair with a brush

Sundowning

April 15, 2019
Sundowning is a neurological phenomenon associated with increased confusion and restlessness most commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but also found in those with other forms of dementia. The term “sundowning” was coined due to the timing of the patient’s confusion as it typically occurs late in the day or early evening as the sun is setting. The symptoms may include increased confusion, anxiety, aggression, agitation and ignoring directions. Sundowning seems to occur more frequently during the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease and mixed dementia and subsides with the progression of a patient’s dementia. Here are some useful tips to deal with sundowning behavior:  Close blinds and drapes so that the decreasing light outdoors is not easily seen. Brighten the interior environment with increased lighting being careful to keep the room free from shadows. Dementia sufferers may mistake a shadow for a hole to avoid increasing the risk of falls as they move away to avoid what they believe is a danger. Create a calm environment. Turn off the TV and put soothing music on. Be sure the music is era appropriate; Sinatra not Madonna. Limit day time napping. While the cause of sundowning is not completely understood, it is known to be a disturbance of the internal clock. Keeping to a set sleep schedule with limited napping is known to help. Be patient and distract with an enjoyable activity. View a favorite photo album, brush hair, water indoor plants. Find a calm, soothing activity the senior enjoys and be patient sharing the activity with them. Here at Manor on the Hill, we incorporate these tips into our evenings to help our Residents who suffer from sundowning helping them get to their bedtime routine and sleep.
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