"Adopt a Grandparent"

"Adopt a Grandparent" Program

      Westview is excited to promote our “Adopt-A-Grandparent” program!

     The Westview Adopt-a-Grandparent Program involves connecting children with seniors in Westview Health Care Center’s skilled nursing facility and Country Living at Westview Commons’ independent and assisted living facility to form meaningful, intergenerational relationships. The program seeks to promote positive interactions between children and seniors; blossoming mutual benefits for everyone involved.

      In the early education or child care setting, the program may involve setting up regular visits and inviting seniors to visit the facility. The children may participate in activities such as reading books, playing games, or doing crafts with their adopted grandparent. Infants can interact with seniors through soothing moments in a rocking chair, making eye contact, and engaging in sensory play. Seniors can also talk or to sing to the infants, which helps to promote language development as well as provide cognitive stimulation and emotional connection. All of the activities can help promote socialization, intellectual development, and emotional well-being in both the children and seniors.

      In the after-school setting, the Adopt-A-Grandparent program may involve a similar model, but with school age children who may want to engage in activities such as playing cards, board games, or simply chatting with their adopted grandparent. Another way school-age children can be involved in our Adopt-A-Grandparent program is through exchanging letters or artwork with their paired grandparent(s). Children can practice penmanship, enhance their written communication, and build self-confidence and pride through these communications. Seniors can respond with a letter or artwork of their own, which will be displayed or shared with the children.

      This program is a valuable way to help promote empathy, compassion, friendship, community building, and understanding towards the elderly—while simultaneously providing a sense of purpose and fulfillment for seniors who may, at times, feel isolated or lonely. In turn, It also creates an excellent opportunity for children to expand their horizons outside of their usual circle. We look forward to seeing the generations around us learn more about the world they live in, and seeing lasting friendships blooming in the Westview neighborhood!

      Zachary is seen here spending time with his new friends, Westview Commons residents Barbara and Helen. They had fun playing with educational toys, reading colorful books—and of course—enjoying each other's company!

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