The Lutheran Home

EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, we feature intergenerational program ideas that were tried and successful. This series is a tool to highlight various age-optimized programs and practices. The program descriptions are provided by representatives of the programs. Inclusion in this series does not imply Generations United’s endorsement or recommendation, but rather encourages ideas to inspire other programs.

In the latest of series, we feature The Lutheran Home, located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

(Check our archives for parts 1-28.)

The Lutheran Home is over 100 years old. They house skilled care nursing units, memory care assisted units, a rehabilitation unit with therapy services located down the hall, an adult day service department and a children's center in our building.

The children's center opened in 1991, and began intergenerational activities right from the start. The children's center is NAEYC accredited.

Today, all the children, infants through 4K, have planned intergenerational activities at least two or three times each week.

They spend time for the intergenerational activities with the adult day participants, the residents from memory care and from the skilled nursing units.

The recreation therapy staff, memory care and adult day services program coordinators and children's center teachers meet and plan the intergenerational activities together.

There are also special events throughout the year that are available to all.

Annually, they host a spring art fair, featuring children's, adults and intergenerational art, with a gallery open to all residents, participants, children and their families.

In fall, they host an outdoors carnival for all children, participants, residents and their families, with games and food for all ages.

Got something cool you tried that was successful? Why not tweet your cool intergenerational ideas to #cooligideas? You can also post them to our Intergenerational Connections Facebook Group or just text us through the Facebook Messenger app (friend me to join our Cool Intergenerational Ideas group discussion). We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter! Share the inspiration.