ABC Newspapers 2022 Senior Lifestyles | Page 5

Special supplement to The Anoka County Shopper & Blaine / Spring Lake Park Life August 2022 | Page 5

Come DisCover what makes Us Different

In the not-so-distant past , extended families frequently lived in close proximity to one another . Such families shared meals and experiences and essentially grew up together . Nowadays , families separate for various reasons , such as job opportunities and cost of living concerns .
While there are advantages to spreading out , there are also some disadvantages , namely that grandparents and grandchildren may not see one another frequently enough . Even though people of different age groups may not entirely have the same interests , the interactions between generations can benefit both young people and their aging relatives .
Finding renewed vigor
Senior living and active lifestyle communities provide invaluable care and amenities for seniors . While being around like-minded individuals can be handy , it ’ s also limiting . Seniors who continue to age in place in mixed-age communities can extract joy from watching youthful children and young adults growing up , playing and socializing . Being around multiple generations also can spark interesting conversation , and all parties involved can learn something from one another .
Planning for the future
Younger generations may not understand the concept of “ hard times ” or “ doing without ” like a person who has lived through various ups and downs . Passing along advice about economic cycles , saving for the future and maintaining stability is one area of expertise at which many seniors excel .
Practicing interpersonal skills All the technological savviness in the world cannot compensate for the power of strong interpersonal skills . Being able to address a group of people or speak one-on-one is essential in the workplace and in

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Different generations can learn and benefit from one another

life . When younger generations speak to older adults , they may become stronger at verbal discourse and have greater perspective of different points of conversation .
Learning new technology
Younger generations can impart knowledge of technological devices to older adults . People with skills are usually happy to share their knowledge . Even if seniors aren ’ t ready to purchase tablets or smartphones , they may be excited to have their grandchildren teach them about the latest gadgets .
Providing sense of purpose
Both seniors and younger generations can realize a greater sense of purpose when interacting with one another . That person may be the reason the other one greets the day with a smile . Visits from grandchildren can reduce the liklihood of isolation and depression in older adults . And younger generations can discover the benefits of personal social interaction rather than communicating exclusively through social media apps .
Fostering intergenerational connections is a great way to broaden social circles , improve communication and learn new things .