Olde & Young, together at last

[digitS']

"... young people don't like old people and vice-versa ... But I think that is one of the stereotypes that we are going to crush.

"Already, I know that there are so many young people who really want to be with old people."

Ya think so? Sometimes I wonder if olde people want to be with olde people .

Finland and the Netherlands arrangements for young to live with olde - link.

Steve

 

[Ridgerunner]

Interesting thoughts. I can see potential problems of course. Some people, young or old, are just not very nice. Some will seek to take undue advantage of the situation. Some will fail to respect the other person, either through lack of privacy or failing to respect the other person's values.

But I can also see some strong bonds being formed. Them becoming surrogate grandchildren/grandparents. Many will tolerate each other and some will develop friendships. I hope they do a decent job of screening applicants from both sides and do some follow-up to look out for bad situations.

 

[so lucky]

There was a piece on TV....Maybe 60 Minutes about a retirement home that had young music majors living among the seniors. Their only requirement was that they give a concert every so often. It was good for all, apparently.

 

[digitS']

I was thinking of saying something on the introduction forum.

I was born in Carmel-by-the-Sea. My father, who only finished the 6th grade, was a mechanic (& a wannabe farmer). One of his customers was Hank Ketcham.

I was not allowed to imitate Dennis the Menace so, Mr. Wilson became my model ... .

Okay, as a college student, I rented an upstairs apartment. Downstairs was a lady, nearly at retirement age . Worse! Nextdoor to her lived a woman in her 80's .

Part of the agreement with the landlord was that I would keep the walkway cleared of snow. Ya know, it was awfully tuff making those two ladies happy! I mean, how much was I able to do about water off the roof that froze overnight on a sloping walk???

Steve

 

[Smart Red]

I think the idea has a lot of merit for the right people. Some older, or ill seniors may see the young students as live-ins there to do work they can't or don't want to do.

Other seniors who are still doing and getting around may appreciate having younger people bringing life into their homes.

I always enjoyed helping older neighborhood couples, but what I did was free will, not contractual. That may make the difference.

 

[Larisa]

I think it is better to combine a home for young orphans and lonely elderly people in one complex. Separate homes in the unified territory. This will have more success. Olde & Young- very individual.

 

[Smart Red]

I could imagine that the combination should work well. One problem found with orphanages is the little one-on-one attention given to the youngest ones because of lack of time and personnel. Those would be just the age some older ladies would attach themselves to with holding and singing and feeding. Others would love helping the toddlers and so benefit from feeling needed.

Once the children are past the toddler stage, they can learn from their elders as well as from their peers. It is the first three years that seems to determine whether babies will develop normal, loving, nurturing emotions or turn inward and be more or less non-socalized (if that's a word).

I wonder if there is anywhere this is being tried? Other then the extended family situations that used to be the norm, elderly relatives aren't living with their families as much anymore.

 

[Larisa]

I myself really needed a grandmother. The parents worked, she was with me. This is a very good energy exchange. I helped her, and she helped me. In Russia, grandparents and grandchildren is traditionally a lot of time together. Often they live together.

 

[so lucky]

I think multi-generational living is beneficial for all concerned. But it's not what most people in the US are accustomed to. And if kids have to move back home with their own kids, there are sometimes resentments.

 

[ninnymary]

I think it's not accepted here in the U.S. If an adult child lives with you, people think negatively upon it.

Mary