7 ways to connect younger and older generations. By Chatsie

The upside of this shift is that we’re more financially and emotionally ready to have children. A major downside is the gap between our oldest and youngest in society is simply wider – it leads to both feeling alienated from the other. That doesn’t bode well in a world where the over 65’s as a group are rapidly on the rise and younger people are suffering from mental health issues. Could a connection between the two be part of the solution?

How do we connect older and younger generations?

Anyone in the middle can play a significant role here. We’ve crafted a 7-point guide to get you started.

7 ways to connect younger and older generations

1. Speak positively about each generation

It’s become funny and fashionable to be disparaging (not helped by the political climate) but speaking respectfully can go a long way to model things, particularly for the younger generation.

2. Identify the common (positive) traits

Really hone in on a positive attribute eg: you are incredibly thoughtful about gift giving – it reminds me of my father. It enables the young person to feel connected and proud of who they are becoming.

3. Use media to bring their (younger) self to life

Showing photos of the older generation as a youngster really helps the younger generation to see they’ve lived a full life and have plenty of wisdom to share. Sharing photos and videos of the youngster is always lovely too

4. Encourage a good old-fashioned letter

Keep brightly coloured notepaper / pens / stickers in an accessible place so the youngster can jot down a spontaneous note to their grandparent. Physical mail connects in a deeper way than digital.

5. Opt for short and frequent over long and infrequent

Visits involving multiple generations can be hard. It’s tough to find activities that suit everyone. Don’t overthink this point, just keep the visits / video calls shorter, but increase the frequency – familiarity solidifies bonds.

6. Playing games is a wonderful, shared activity

Chess, uno, scrabble – you name it – these games easily cross the generations and truly provide joy on both sides. They can be played physically or digitally and can be a meaningful bonding tool.

7. Read a book or watch a programme together

This can be done synchronously or asynchronously. It offers a great discussion topic for both sides to dissect characters, plot lines, and make predictions about what happens next.

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