The fountain of youth was first mentioned in 5th Century BCE. That means for nearly 2,500 years society has placed high value on youth. It’s not uncommon to be afraid of aging. Or, at the very least, dislike it. Even sayings like “young at heart” demonstrate the obsession with youth over aging. But aging doesn’t have to be avoided. In fact, it can go hand in hand with youth. That’s what’s special about intergenerational connections. And why they’re important to staying young. Even if it is just at heart. After all, age is just a number.
Blue Zones and Intergenerational Connections
One motivation for staying young is living a long life. Each year, more and more people turn 100 and become centenarians. As of 2024, it’s estimated that more than 100,000 Americans have reached their 100th birthday. A number that’s expected to quadruple by 2054.
When someone turns 100, everyone wants to know their secret. Even researchers want to know how some people live to be 100. There are countless studies that aim to uncover the secrets to living a long life. Many are also focused on the secrets to staying young.
Some of these studies have uncovered areas where more centenarians live than others. These have become known as Blue Zones. The original Blue Zones are Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California. Researchers have long studied why people in these communities are more likely to live longer lives than others. There’s no one key answer. Instead, it’s a combination of things like diet, exercise, connection, and purpose.
Intergenerational Connections
Blue Zones also often emphasize intergenerational connection. This could be in the form of living in multigenerational settings. It can also come from other generations. Intergenerational connection has been shown to have many benefits for older adults. The benefits can include better physical and mental health, sense of purpose, and quality of life. All things closely related to aging well in Blue Zones.
Intergenerational connections are important. But what does that mean, and how can they improve? Broadly, intergenerational connections can reference any type of relationship between two people from different generations. However, in many contexts, it refers to someone over 70 and someone under 18. Think of it like a relationship between a grandparent and grandchild.
5 Activities to Celebrate Intergenerational Day
Intergenerational Day is celebrated each year on June 1. It’s purpose is to highlight the importance of these intergenerational relationships and celebrate the connections between youth and older adults. Here are 5 activities that older adults and youth can do together that foster an intergenerational connection to support healthy aging.
1. Cook or Bake
Food is important to almost every aspect of life. It can create shared memories and bonds. Cooking or baking is a fun activity that can be done together. It’s hands on and can be done at any age or skill level. Pick a favorite recipe that can be made with a kid in your life. Bonus points if it’s a family recipe that can be passed down through another generation. After it’s done, the meal or dessert can be eaten together or delivered to someone in need.
Food is also one of the key factors of Blue Zones. There are even cookbooks dedicated to meals commonly eaten in those areas. One of the common factors among different Blue Zone meals? Sharing them with friends and loved ones.
2. Hobby or craft
Everyone has something that they’re passionate about. Whether it’s woodworking, sewing, gardening, knitting, or something else. Try involving youth in the activity. Teach them how to do what you do. Depending on their age or skill level, they may not be able to do everything themselves – especially if power tools are involved. Find other aspects that they can do. Pick a project that’s something they want to make and you may learn a new skill too. Plus, you’ll both get to learn new things about each other.
3. Play a game
Think about the games you enjoy now and the ones you played as a kid. Pick one that you can play together. There are also games they could teach you. Playing a game is a great way to stay social and make an intergenerational connection. But it’s also a great way to keep your mind sharp. While you play, consider talking about the types of games you played as a kid and what you enjoyed growing up.
4. Go for a walk
Going for a walk is great for your physical health and can support your mental and emotional wellbeing. It’s also a great way to connect, especially across generations. You could walk around the block and share stories about the neighborhood. You could reflect on the family’s history together while walking. Walking at a local park and discuss the things in nature you see, like birds and plants, is also a good option.
5. Volunteer
Giving back through volunteering can make us feel good about making a difference. Doing it together can also be great for bonding. There are many opportunities for people of all ages to volunteer. Try to find a shared interest, like animals. Then pick a volunteer activity related to that, like volunteering at a local animal shelter. Finding something you both like will make volunteering a more enjoyable experience. It could also be inspiring to see the importance of giving back to the community.
Intergenerational Connections at The Ohio Masonic Communities
The Ohio Masonic Communities hosts many events for residents to enjoy with their loved ones. We also offer opportunities specifically focused on fostering intergenerational connections with family and others. Each summer we host Intergenerational Day Camps in Medina, Springfield, and Waterville, Ohio. The day camps bring youth from the community onto our senior living campuses to spend time with our residents. Each day is full of activities to do together such as a music therapy group, pizza making, painting, games, crafts, and more. This can give the youth a chance to have a mentor experience with an older adult. It also supports a sense of purpose – a key Blue Zone factor – for the older adults.
2025 Intergenerational Day Camps with The Ohio Masonic Communities Resource Center
Are you interested in learning more about the 2025 Intergenerational Day Camps? Check out the event details on Facebook! Children ages 5-18 can attend one of the camps by contacting Rachel at (877) 881-1623 (Ext 4) or rlancaster@omcoh.org to register.
June 27, Browning Masonic Community, Waterville, Ohio
July 18, Springfield Masonic Community, Springfield, Ohio
July 25, Western Reserve Masonic Community, Medina, Ohio
At The Ohio Masonic Communities, our campuses encourage intergenerational connections. We have three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio. If you are interested in learning more give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here.