Both children and seniors learn from each other!
Intergenerational Programming is  an Ebenezer cornerstone--bringing together two generations who gather daily to visit, explore activities and develop a special kind of friendship. There is nothing quite like watching a child’s eye fill with wonder or a  senior’s face light up with joy.  In our Ebenezer Intergen communities we are lucky to experience both each day. Our whole child approach includes a unique program that brings young and old together in a stimulating co learning environment. Seniors and children share an unmistakable bond that transcends generations.
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Ebenezer intergenerational programs invite children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old to enjoy the company of our loving Grandfriends.  The Intergen communities provides opportunities for the Seniors to bond with our youngest little ones, in our infant classrooms, with Rock a bye Baby time.  Seniors help our dedicated Teachers in providing 1:1 rocking time with our infants during the week. Grandfriends can enjoy special educational activities in Arts and Crafts, Science or Outside gardening with our fun toddlers or enjoy partnering up with a Preschooler in the Life Long Learning MacPhail Music program.

Our intergenerational space includes:

• A computer center
• Games, toys and puzzles
• A plentiful supply of books to read by the fireplace
• An area for arts and crafts
• Kitchen area for baking cookies
• Outdoor playground and patio​

 
Why It Works
​Building on Ebenezer’s faith-based heritage, our intergenerational program helps bridge the generation gap. Children learn respect for older adults and compassion for their physical limitations. Older adults maintain self-worth by sharing their lives and experiences. Children bring life, spirit and joy to seniors on the campus, keeping them young at heart. The attention and encouragement of seniors helps children flourish.
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Our children are often fascinated as they learn about how the world was different, and what it was like to be a child in an earlier time. In turn, the children breathe happiness and life into our grandfriend communities--sharing their lives and experiences with their special friends. It is a mutually beneficial relationship, as the seniors are reinvigorated by the innocence and joy of the children, while the children learn respect, patience and helpfulness. Perhaps most importantly, our intergenerational programs teach children compassion and kindness. Students who grow up with grandfriends are not self-conscious around seniors in wheelchairs or walkers and are more comfortable when they encounter a senior who may act differently due to their advancing physical conditions. They view their grandfriends with reverence, and value their contributions to the past, present and future.
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There is no question our Intergenerational communities provide a powerful impact to both the seniors and children each and every day.
Thanks for reading, as always.

It's good to be back doing my blog.  This week's blog is about how to navigate senior living options. 
 
First, a personal story about a life-changing event and one with which perhaps you can identify in regard to advanced-years decision-making:
 
Mother Nature sometimes throws us life-changing curve balls we never expected in regard to how we live our daily lives. It happened recently to yours truly. This past July 2nd, I was as healthy as anyone can be. The next day, I was admitted to the VA Hospital having contracted a mostly life-ending illness called CDIFF. None of us has any idea how I contracted that ugly illness, but we have some suspicions it may have been due to an antibiotic I received for a minor skin injury a week earlier. Regardless, following four weeks in the hospital and three weeks in a rehab facility, a doctor knew one of the three ways to rid me of the disease and I'm now strongly recovering at home.

Indeed, life sometimes has unpleasant surprises.

As someone who's just been through it, I can tell you that navigating senior care options can be confusing and at times overwhelming, especially if, like me, you are not feeling your best when you have to make those decisions. 

​I was happy to be released from the rehab facility to go back home for the rest of my recovery. Many people do not have that option. For those of us who may be needing or thinking of changing where we live our latter years, I can tell you  those surprises can be addressed with knowledge and caring by those with Ebenezer who specialize in helping solve any surprises life may throw at us.

Ebenezer understands the many challenges you face and they are happy to help you get through them, including the right time to make a plan for senior living. They can also discuss things that may happen in life that may let you know it's time to think about another living arrangement, or the need for additional help at home.
 
At any of our Ebenezer Communities, we have specialists who can help provide you with resources in our community as well as answer the following questions:

• When is the right time to plan for a move?
• What type of senior care is available to me?
• What should I be looking for in a new community?
• Are there funding options available to me?
• What to do if I am a Veteran or Spouse of Veteran?
• Can you help me understand Elderly Waiver and Government Assistance Programs?
• What State resources and senior care/housing resources can I count on?

But I want to live at home!
No worries. We want you to make decisions that best fit YOUR lifestyle. There are care options for those who want to remain at home.
 
With all the support that Ebenezer Communities can provide, it’s also important to know there are so many state and senior care/housing resources to which you have access. Here are a few:
 
Local Senior Living Communities (research first)

• County Aging Service Office
• Senior Commission/ACT on Alzheimer’s
• City Officials and Departments
• Senior Linkage Line – State run program that helps inform people about local resources and senior care options. Completely FREE and non-biased.
• Move Management Specialists - They will help create a plan with you prior to moving, pack up all belongings and move you to new location in the way that YOU want.
• Senior Real Estate Specialists – Aid in selling your home and specialize in working with older adults.
• Estate Sales – Help sort out the “stuff” that you do not want to bring with and sell it for you.
• Veterans Assistance – Aid in helping vets understand what benefits and programs they may be eligible to receive and walk through the process with them.

Find an Ebenezer Community near you today to help answer any questions you may have in navigating senior care options or resources. Please contact the community nearest you for help!
 
Thanks, as always, for reading.