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.

Family Care Center at Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems - 2014 Program of Distinction Designee

In part 2 of our series on the 2014 Program of Distinction Designee, we highlight Family Care Center at Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems in Richmond, VA. (Read part one.)

The Family Care Center – among this year’s honorees, including AARP Experience Corps and Geriatric Career Development Program at Jewish Home Lifecare – enjoy the bragging rights and national legitimacy that comes from joining an elite group of programs celebrated for their effectiveness.

(See our post, “What is a Program of Distinction Designeeand why is it so important?”)

"When it opened more than 30 years ago, ours was one of the very first employer sponsored on-site child care centers in Virginia. When we added our adult day services program in 2006, it was the first of its kind," explains Maria Curran, vice president, Department of Human Resources and Family Care. 

"We have long known about the many significant advantages of integrating the care of seniors and children and are thrilled to be recognized by Generations United as a Program of Distinction," Curran continued. "Our program is one of the flagship benefits we offer our employees but it also is open to our community, which extends the benefit even further."

Family Care Center, like our past designees, went through a tough consideration process facilitated by our panel of experts in the intergenerational field.

The VCU Health System Family Care Center is a shared intergenerational site located on the Medical Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.  

“We are very excited about receiving 'The Program of Distinction Award' offered by Generations United," said Patricia Moon, director, VCU Health System Family Care Services.. "It is both an honor and a privilege to receive this recognition of our efforts to ensure best practices in the field of intergenerational programming and elder care when there are so many programs deserving of this distinction."  

"Our elders and our children have been the recipients of the improved quality of life initiatives that have come from their experiences," Moon concluded.  

The diversity of ages and opportunities within this center is a result of its NAEYC-accredited childcare center serving children ages 6 weeks to 12 years and an Adult Day Center licensed for 10 adults with varying abilities who need or desire opportunities for engagement, supervision and socialization. 

The opportunities for intergenerational interactions are significant and further expanded since the Family Care Center is part of a teaching hospital and supports students and interns from a variety of disciplines.

"I am thrilled to receive this honor from Generations United, and very proud of the exceptional care environment we have created at this shared site," observed Dee Caras, MSG, program manager, VCU Health Systems Adult Day Services. "This designation will help us continue and will strengthen our good work through increased recognition and awareness of our program."

Stay tuned for next week, when we introduce Jewish Home Lifecare’s Geriatric Career Development Program.