VISIONS Intergenerational Program

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.

This week’s cool idea is VISIONS Intergenerational Program, a Generations United Program of Distinction that recruits, trains and employs high school students in New York City to assist blind seniors in their homes, and at Selis Manor.

(Check our archives for parts 1-43.)

VISIONS Intergenerational Program operates under VISIONS Center on Aging. The youth provide escort and assistance with reading, shopping, and technology.

VISONS Caregiver project supports family, partners, and friends who help a senior with vision loss.

Overnight respite at VCB and day respite at Selis Manor are provided.

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. We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter! Share the inspiration.

mUsic Unites

 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 mUsic Unites, based at Hebrew SeniorLife’s Jack Satter House in Revere, MA.

(Check our archives for parts 1-30.)

mUsic Unites is a intergenerational music program that operates from the premise that music can be a common denominator that unites us all, no matter our ages or backgrounds.

Each week, local high school students teach older adults how to play musical instruments (voice, piano, guitar, and drums).

Program participants are developing meaningful relationships with music as the medium; the high school students have become teachers and the older adults are realizing that there is no such thing as being "too old" when it comes to learning something new and achieving one's goals.

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.