Intergenerational Benefits for Older Adults

Intergenerational Connections: Importance for Older Adults

As people age, they often find themselves disconnected from the younger generation, which can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection. However, studies have shown that intergenerational connections can have numerous benefits for older adults, including improved mental and physical health, increased social support, and a sense of purpose and meaning in life. In this essay, we will explore the importance of intergenerational connections for older adults and how they can benefit from these relationships.

The importance of intergenerational relationships for older adults cannot be overstated. Interacting with individuals from different generations can provide many benefits for older adults, including enhanced cognitive abilities, improved emotional well-being, and a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life. This essay will explore the various benefits of intergenerational relationships for older adults and provide examples of how older adults can engage with younger generations.

Firstly, intergenerational relationships can help older adults maintain cognitive function. Research shows that older adults who engage in intergenerational activities have better cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. This is because intergenerational interactions challenge older adults to think outside of their usual patterns and perspectives, which can stimulate their brains and enhance their cognitive abilities. For example, older adults who engage in activities with younger generations, such as playing games or solving puzzles together, can improve their cognitive abilities and prevent cognitive decline.

Secondly, intergenerational relationships can improve emotional well-being for older adults. Older adults often experience loneliness and social isolation, which can have negative effects on their mental health. However, intergenerational relationships can provide older adults with social support, companionship, and a sense of purpose. For example, older adults who volunteer with younger generations, such as mentoring or tutoring programs, can experience a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction from helping others. Additionally, intergenerational relationships can provide older adults with opportunities to learn new skills or knowledge from younger generations, which can boost their confidence and self-esteem.

Thirdly, intergenerational relationships can give older adults a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Older adults may feel a loss of purpose or relevance as they age, especially if they have retired or experienced other life transitions. However, intergenerational relationships can provide older adults with a sense of purpose and a reason to keep learning and growing. For example, older adults who engage in intergenerational activities, such as teaching or mentoring younger generations, can feel valued and important. Additionally, intergenerational relationships can help older adults see the world from a different perspective and gain a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges of younger generations.

Intergenerational connections can improve the mental and physical health of older adults. Social isolation and loneliness have been linked to a range of negative health outcomes, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, and cognitive decline. However, studies have shown that older adults who have regular interactions with younger people have better mental and physical health outcomes than those who do not. For example, a study conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) found that older adults who participated in intergenerational programs had lower rates of depression, improved cognitive function, and a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life.

One more example of an intergenerational program that benefits older adults is the Experience Corps. This program pairs older adults with elementary school students, where they serve as tutors and mentors. The program has been shown to improve academic outcomes for students and enhance emotional well-being for older adults. Another example is the Foster Grandparent Program, which connects older adults with at-risk youth in their communities. Older adults serve as role models and provide emotional support for these children, which can improve their well-being and reduce behavioral problems.

Furthermore, intergenerational connections can provide older adults with increased social support, which can be particularly important for those who live alone or have limited social networks. Studies have shown that older adults who have regular contact with younger people report higher levels of social support, which can lead to greater feelings of happiness, well-being, and life satisfaction. Additionally, intergenerational relationships can provide older adults with opportunities to mentor and guide younger people, which can help them feel valued and respected within their communities.

Another benefit of intergenerational connections for older adults is the sense of purpose and meaning that comes from engaging with younger generations. Many older adults struggle with finding purpose and meaning in their lives after retirement, particularly if they feel disconnected from the larger community. However, intergenerational programs and relationships can provide older adults with opportunities to share their knowledge and experiences with younger people, which can give them a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Additionally, older adults who participate in intergenerational programs often report feeling more connected to their communities and more engaged in civic life.

There are many ways in which older adults can engage with younger generations to experience the benefits of intergenerational relationships. For example, older adults can volunteer with organizations that work with children or young adults, such as schools, libraries, or community centers. They can also participate in intergenerational programs, such as mentoring or tutoring programs, where they can share their knowledge and skills with younger generations. Additionally, older adults can engage in activities that bring together people of different ages, such as community service projects or cultural events.

Finally, intergenerational connections can help to break down age-based stereotypes and promote understanding between generations. In today's society, age-based stereotypes are often perpetuated by the media and other cultural institutions, which can lead to negative attitudes and beliefs about older adults. However, intergenerational relationships can help to challenge these stereotypes and promote greater understanding and respect between generations. When older adults interact with younger people, they can share their experiences and perspectives, which can help to break down stereotypes and foster greater empathy and understanding.

In conclusion, intergenerational connections are important for older adults because they can improve their mental and physical health, increase their social support networks, provide them with a sense of purpose and meaning in life, and promote understanding between generations. As the population ages, it is increasingly important to promote intergenerational connections and programs that bring together people of all ages. By doing so, we can help to create more vibrant and connected communities that benefit people of all ages and backgrounds.

A Selfless Soldier - Social Film by Hira Mehta

A film made by Hira Mehta a official entry 2 minute short film for #YESiamtheCHANGE  with support of Amritraj Esakkiappan and Drishti Mishra,  about a lone soldier, Philanthropist, Sailesh Mishra , Founder of Silver Innings and A1 Snehanjali , Mumbai city first  24 x 7 assisted living elder care home, and winner of Karamveer Award 2008 working in the field of #Dementia and #Alzheimer for many years committed to spreading the message of “loving care for elders” among the youngsters. Sailesh Mishra shares about the disease that many are unaware about and moreover have no idea where to go for help.

Inter-generational bonding – A necessary action to bond the young and elderly

Inter-generational bonding is an umbrella term in itself. Yet let us first understand the emotional need which is fulfilled through such a bonding. It consists of the bonding of the aging and young generation on friendly, cordial and co-operative terms. Such a bonding is a medium to develop an equal understanding level between grandparents and grandchildren. The wide term, ‘Inter-generational bonding’ would include the acceptance of each other’s thought processes, changing habits, preferences, choices and behavior. It is increasingly important for both the generations to openly accept each other the way they are. For example, the elderly should openly accept the trends of younger generation; it includes receptiveness for and learning of the new technology and social networking too. If both are connected via the new forms of communication and networking like email, Whats App, Hike messenger, Facebook, then it would help the younger generation to relate with their elders. Also, elders can appreciate the transformed and trendy dressing styles and lifestyle of the youngsters. Similarly, the younger generation should also spend quality time with their grandparents; for instance, if grandchildren are staying away, then they can at least meet their grandparents on weekends or celebrate the seniors’ birthdays and anniversaries together. If all the three generations are staying together then parents and grandparents can spend time and take care of their elders every day; all the family members can have dinner together and talk for sometime every day. Such minute but important gestures would remarkably contribute to strengthen inter-generational bonding. It plays an important role to satisfy the emotional need of the aging population. It helps the grandparents to meet their grandchildren during their aging phase. And, the grandchildren too can experience the precious company of their grandparents.

According to HelpAge India, India’s elderly population is estimated to become 200 million till 2030. Also, at present 95 million Indians are above the age of 60. Moreover, today’s lifestyle is changing due to more of online interactions instead of actual, personal interactions. In addition to this, the academic and professional commitments too, have increased. It has thus led to the growth of an online culture. These are one of the factors which have resulted into lack of inter-generational interaction. So, the SAVE (Student Action for Value Education) program, a HelpAge India initiative plays an important role to bridge this gap between elders and youngsters. Through this program, activities, games and festival celebrations are organized to enable and strengthen inter-generational bond. Thus, SAVE ensures that the elderly population is relieved of isolation and neglect by participating in such interactive, refreshing activities.

Silver Innings is a Mumbai-based social enterprise (For profit) which was formed to provide need based services to India’s elderly population. Since 2008, Silver Innings along with A-1 Snehanjali, its sister concern have been conducting refreshing inter-generational programs. The purpose of these programs is to create harmony between both the generations. They conduct activities such as music and dance events, story-telling, summer camp, recreational games, SIFC Football club matches, 60 v/s 16 Cricket matches etc. These programs help create a unique bond between elders and youngsters. It creatively portrays the long term vision of Silver Innings – ‘Creating elder-friendly world where ageing becomes a positive and rewarding experience.’ Silver Innings is living with its aim of supporting and caring for the growing number of elderly in our country. Therefore, it is playing a vital role to bond the elder and young generation.

SKIP is a Canada-based organization which has been working for a decade to develop cordial, co-operative and unique relation between the senior and younger generation. SKIP (Seniors and Kids Intergenerational Programs) organizes intergenerational bonding programs. For example, it hosts interesting activities and games for elders and youngsters. These activities make the seniors feel satisfied since they can freely share their life stories with the youngsters. The youngsters too feel equally comfortable to interact with elders because of this unique medium of interaction. SKIP helps elders to engage themselves creatively and mentally in order to gradually reduce their loneliness. Consequently, these programs have helped the youngsters understand the importance of elders in a very better manner. (Click video to watch SKIP activities.) Thus, SKIP plays a remarkable role to facilitate interaction between elders and youngsters. Such an inter-generational bonding has been positively helping the elders to live life in a renewed way. (Click video to watch its founder speak)

A paper entitled, ‘Promoting intergenerational understanding between the young and old: the case of Singapore Leng Leng Thang, National University of Singapore’has been published on UN website (Please click UN to view the entire paper). It has described the efforts that were done on a national level to promote intergenerational bonding. The paper states that, ‘In Singapore, the setting up of the taskforce to promote grandparenting and intergenerational bonding in July 2002 by the Singapore Ministry of Community Development (now expanded as the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports) could be regarded as the starting point of state effort to promote intergenerational initiatives in Singapore.’ [Note: The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports restructured on 1^st November, 2012 as Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)]. The State has been promoting the celebration of Grandparent’s Day on every 4^th Sunday of November. The purpose of this day is to make the younger generation realize the importance of grandparent’s contribution to their life. Later, in 2005, a Gen3 Fund Inter-School Competition was arranged as part of the activities of the National Family Week. The Gen3 Fund played a very important role to fund the recreational, fun-filled activities conducted by Singapore Government.

Another paper entitled, ‘Ageing families in Singapore’ was published in February 2015 by Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Singapore. It has stated that family support is very crucial and valuable for the aged members. Such support has been provided to the aged members – emotionally, physically and financially by their family members. The paper states that , ‘The Perception and Attitudes towards Ageing and Seniors (PATAS) survey in 2013 found that 96.5% of respondents aged between 50 and 74 years agreed that family support was key to successful ageing.’ It further explains that, ‘In the Housing and Development Board (HDB) Sample Household Survey (SHS) 2013, the majority of elderly residents expressed confidence that they were able to rely on their children for physical, emotional and financial support. They also reported that they were able to rely more on their unmarried children as most of them were living together, compared to their married children for physical support, while they were able to rely similarly on both married and unmarried children for emotional and financial support.’ Thus, a caring nature and sensitive behavior by the grown-up, responsible children towards their parents too forms an important part of intergenerational bonding.

Now let us understand the intergenerational bonding which can happen at workplace too in a comprehensive and creative manner. Employseniors.org (Ohio, U.S.A.) provides free employment services inclusive of guidance and support from a Volunteer Job Counselor, job referrals; it acts as a link between seniors aged 50 & above and the employers;  organizes Annual Senior Job Fair which hosts career, educational programs and networking with local employers; it also undertakes workshops and programs to broaden career options of senior citizens; it provides resources to elderly job seekers to attain employment for achieving financial stability for themselves and their family. 

Seniors.lovetoknow.com mentions some work from home jobs for senior citizens. They can creatively engage themselves in online jobs like selling products on ebay, paid blogging, working as consultant, conducting tuitions, cooking/catering, tailoring etc. Yet, there is an intense need to unite the younger and senior population at workplace. It would enhance a new kind of intergenerational bonding. Moreover, it would be an excellent way to create earning opportunity for elderly people. As a result, they would achieve dignity, financial stability and social belongingness. The increasing population of seniors and their rising isolation can also be dealt with in this way. The efforts of Government and business world would play a very significant role to employ the growing number of elderly in their companies along with young executives.

Thus, the inter-generational bonding would cater to our elderly population in terms of emotional and physical support as well as financial support. It would remarkably build and develop their self-reliance and self-respect.

Long live intergenerational bonding!!

By Sneha Tipnis

About Author: 

Sneha Tipnis is a freelance writer from India. She has been writing for online writers’ platforms like writersbureau.com, Triond, Authspot and Bookstove.  She writes content for websites, brochures, blogs and social media updates. She’s an English Literature Graduate and Masters in Educational Technology – Computer Applications (MET-CA). She has worked in the e learning industry for a year pertaining to Masters Degree. She’s a student of The Writers Bureau  (A renowned Writing College in UK), Manchester, London.

You can connect with Sneha on her blog: goldentipsmumbai.blogspot.in , Google+, LinkedIn and Facebook page Thoughts, Feelings and Expressions.

Saagar Kinare - A day at A1: HT NO TV DAY 29th May'16

Pride Age and Silver Innings in association with A1 Snehanjali presents - 'HT NO TV DAY EVENT' - 'Sagar Kinare - A day at A1' - A rejuvenating day trip - in the lap of nature - at A1 Snehanjali, assisted living elder care home near Rajodi Beach, Nalasopara west / Virar west, on Sun 29th May 2016 - A fun eventful day ‪#‎PICNIC‬ - 'Sagar Kinare - A day at A1'

Theme is 'wellness' - Rejuvenate | Relax | Rediscover thru dance, music, games and Connect with Nature activities.

Registration Fees: Rs. 900 per person (This includes AC Bus, 3 Meals and all activities with prizes to be won)
PAY VIA BANK TRANSFER ( Please let us know when you pay by email silverinnings@gmail.com : 

Bank Account detail:

Account Number: 03921500002417

Account Name: Silver Innings

Account Type: Current A/C

Bank address: DCB Bank Limited (Development Credit Bank Ltd.) MTNL Road, Sheetal Nagar, Mira Road (East), India – 401107

RTGS/NEFT//IFS Code: DCBL0000039

MAX PARTICIPANTS: 40


Register here: 
Email: silverinnings@gmail.com
or
Call / WhatsApp: 9819839288 (Sushmita)

Pickup Points:
6.45am Assemble Opp. Bisleri, Andheri East
7am sharp Bus Starts
7.30am Opp. National Park, Near Shankar Temple
9.30/10am Reach A1 Snehanjali, Rajodi
4.45pm leave A1 Snehanjali
5pm Rajodi Beach
6pm Return journey starts



Be a part of this fun eventful day - memories of which will last for a lifetime. 

Register at Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1166425033388231/

Direction Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/uxL6rPUS3kC2




Courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/htnotvday/

Silver Innings Legal Advice Clinic, a Diwali Gift to Senior Citizens and their Family

Silver Innings Legal Advice Clinic

 Advice, Awareness, Advocacy, Empowerment (AAAE)

We at Silver Inning Foundation are Happy To Announce ‘Silver Innings Legal Advice Clinic’ on every 4th Saturday of the Month from 3pm to 4pm, starting from Saturday 28th Nov 2015. This is an perfect Diwali Gift to All #Mumbaikar #Seniorcitizens and their family members, Open to all age group. 

Silver Innings since 2008 is working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience.

Understanding that right legal advice is always sought after and legal advice is expensive and people get trapped with unlikely circumstances and that many cases can be solved before reaching the courts, we at Silver Inning Foundation in our continuous effort to empower and help our Elders and their family members have tied with leading Legal and Human Right Activist Advocate Aileen Marques to provide once a month ‘Legal Advice Clinic’. This clinic would not only provide Right Legal Advice but also provide Legal Literacy program viz. Awareness, Advocacy, Empowerment (AAAE) for the overall benefit of the community. 

Charges: For APL subsidize charges will be Rs.100/- and for BPL it will be Rs.50/-  per advice.

Our Legal Advisor Advocate Aileen Marques & Associate and Counselor Mrs. Vaishali Sant will be available every 4th Saturday of the Month from 3pm to 4pm at our office: Silver Inning Foundation, Bldg.No. J -47/48, Shop no. 10, Poonam Sagar Complex CHS LTD, Opp.Navagraha Bldg, Road Behind Allahabad Bank,  Mira Road – East. India. Pin: 401107.


As part of the clinic, the following service would be provided:
•         Legal Advice,
•         Pre-Litigation Settlement,
•         Negotiation & Mediation
•         Legal counseling,
•         Legal advice to clients referred through the students.
•         Identifying appropriate laws, and the legal options that may be explored
•         Legal awareness


Legal Literacy program would have 3 aspects:

1. Awareness First: Legal Education is what we uphold and encourage. We believe that legal awareness is the need of the hour. As citizens and as human persons, we must be aware of our human rights-our basic and fundamental rights. Only if we are aware of our rights, can we assert them and empower ourselves. Rights and Duties are basic to our existence and only when we know what we must do, we can fulfill out duties and exercise our rights.

2. Empowering Trainers: Grass-root workers encounter many challenges during their work and very often social-work needs legal technicalities. The organisations they belong to cannot afford high-end training. Through para-legal sessions, we enable such social engineers learn some basics of law.

3. Advocacy Force:  We are working towards busting the myths that Law and Rights are a luxury of a few and that legal recourse is an exhaustive and expensive affair. Working with the system is as important as legal education. We find it appalling that educated persons holding high posts, don’t bother to know their rights until arrested, women rarely take note of the legal provisions until forced by cruelty or abuse. Very few non-lawyers will actually visit Courts until one day they are dragged to court for some litigation.



Topics for Legal awareness training:
a. Rights of Senior citizens and accessibility to law
b. Gender and Law
c. Child Sexual Abuse
d. Domestic Violence
e. Sexual Harassment at Workplace
f. Sexual Harassment on streets and in Public
g. Inheritance related laws, Will, Gift deed etc.
h. Tobacco related law
i. Legal procedures and basic legal information
j. Marriage and Divorce Laws
k. Women empowerment and Human Rights
l. FIR, NC and Role of the Police
m. Maintenance related laws
n. Juvenile Justice Act, child abuse and adoption
o. Child Safety and Protection


For Query and Appointment Contact us: 
Mobile: 8879884807 / 9987104233 (Mon to Fri 11am to 5pm) 
Email: silverinnings@gmail.com 

Spread The Smile #DaanUtsav #HappyDot Oct 2015

Silver Inning Foundation an NGO working with Senior Citizens and their Family is Happy to be part of #DaanUtsav 2015, 'Daan Utsav', Mumbai - is India's own festival of giving, celebrated every year from October 2-8. Earlier known as the Joy of Giving Week.

Our Activity between October 2nd -8th Oct 2015 are as Follow:

2nd Oct: We will Distribute Food Packets to the Residents and Staff of Krishna Kala Old Age Home, Mira Road as part of World Elder's Day 

1st Oct to 10th Oct : Social Media Donation Collection Campaign to Support #DNA #ADOPTAFAMILY,  'Adopt a Senior Citizen Farmer Family of Maharashtra'  https://www.facebook.com/events/1643988102544317/ . We will Donate Total Amount Collected to DNA by Chq on 8th Oct. 

2nd to 8th Oct : Collection and Distribution of Letters, Post Cards, Greeting Cards from various school made by Partners of Daan Utsav to Old Age Home Residents at Borivali East, Andheri West, Sion, Bhayandar West and Nalasopara west.

Contact us at silverinnings@gmail.com Tel : 9987104233 / 9029000091 ( Mon to Fri 11am to 5pm)

Video: Heart Remembers But Mind Forgets #WAM2O15

Video Release by Silver Inning Foundation for World Alzheimer's Month September 2015, ‪#‎WAM2015‬ : 'Heart Remembers But Mind Forgets'  

This Video is part of 1st in series, made by Students of TISS ( Center for Health and Mental Health School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India) for Silver Inning Foundation (NGO Working with ‪#‎SeniorCitizens‬) as part of project for World Alzheimer's Month September 2015, #WAM2015 ‪#‎RememberMe‬ ‪#‎SilverInnings‬

Its small effort through audio visual aids by young students to create awareness about a non curable, progressive brain disease #Alzheimer's / ‪#‎Dementia, which mostly affects elders of 60 years and above. We request you to not only watch this video but also forward and show this to all members of your family and community.

#ARDSI #Mumbai #India #A1Snehanjali #TISS #SeniorCitizens

The old man on the bus : The Metrognome

To stop elder abuse, we must stop indulging in it. A new column starts today, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

by Vrushali Lad | editor@themetrognome.in

“Ae buddhhe, hatt na!” Everyone in the bus line turned to stare at the youth on the cycle, trying to get past an old man shuffling slowly to the front entrance of the bus. The man didn’t even hear the boy, intent as he was on catching the bus before it sped off. Or probably he had heard it a million times before – in our country, it is customary to address old people we don’t know as ‘buddhhas‘ or ‘buddhhis‘ – we also use these terms to address old people we don’t particularly like. Whatever the language, we find an equivalent term for ‘buddhha’ and use it with impunity.

This is where the rest of a bigger problem stems from. The derision we have for ‘oldies’ in society translates into everyday actions we don’t even think about before committing. We get impatient with senior citizens taking their time getting into the bus. We snort with ill-disguised contempt when the cashier at the supermarket has to repeat himself twice, loudly, to the old woman shopper who clearly has lost a lot of her hearing. We do not deign to explain ‘complex’ issues to our grandparents or old parents because ‘they will not understand anyway’. We feel ill-used when we have to give away a portion of our salaries every month to fund our retired parents’ homes.

In short, these old people give us several causes for complaint. Like that old man on the bus – whose big crime was that his old age had rendered him slow and incapable of quick movement.

I’m not even going to take the oft-repeated ‘Our parents did so much for us, we should repay them in their old age’ route, because it is so simplistic, it irritates me. It is also not about doing good for our elders because of the fear of karma – society tries to shame us when we behave badly towards our parents and elders with the caution, ‘Don’t forget, you are going to get old, too…’ At a broader level, the issue is not about whether we should behave ourselves in order to have a good old age for ourselves, or whether we should be grateful enough to be nice to our parents who did everything for us when we were little. It is simply about being considerate and kind.

Old age brings with it a million daily traumas – both physical and spiritual – but the most scarring one surely has to be the one that reminds the person every day, “You are useless…you can no longer work and contribute to the family, your ideas are outdated, you need to sit in a corner and think about the afterlife, your life is over…” I can’t think of another humiliation worse than being relegated to the ‘back benches’ at home – because you no longer earn a salary, you are no longer an important component in the family’s scheme of things. Your opinions are considered out of sync with the times, you are often talked at by your own children and grandchildren, and the physical problems you face – loss of hearing, loss of memory, loss of mobility – are often the subjects of many jokes in the family and neighbourhood.

And yet we take a moral high ground when we hear stories of other senior citizens being beaten or tortured in their homes, at the hands of their family members. We outrage on hearing accounts of an aged couple being disowned by their children because the parents refused to part with their property while they were still alive. We ‘Like’ and ‘Share’ photographs of abandoned senior citizens and comment on the pictures saying, ‘If you can’t take care of your parents, you should just die at birth’ or ‘How can society not have a conscience, yaar? Are we made of stone?’

And then most of us forget to call our mothers once a day, just to remind them they are in our thoughts and that we are safe (which is what they’re always worried about). We take our parents to the restaurant around the corner (where we often go) on their anniversary ‘to celebrate’ because we were too busy to plan a grand celebration. We cut their calls during a busy day and forget to call back. We yell at them to not disturb us when we are working or hanging out with friends. We forget to tell them important things in our lives. We ‘forget’ to pay their bills, knowing fully well they are too embarassed to remind us. Or we assume that they wouldn’t like to try out a new health club that we enrolled our kids and spouse in, because senior citizens are ‘too old’ to exercise or swim. Or when, in their brain-addled state, they shout at us and we shout back, instead of biting our tongue because they are not in their senses and they don’t mean to shout.

We are curt, impolite, rude and inconsiderate in a million different ways every day, all because we know somewhere in our hearts that ‘Whatever happens, my parents will always forgive me…’ I am guilty of all of these behaviours, unthinkingly and selfishly, and so are you. But it’s never too late. Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and we can start setting things right.

When we say ‘abuse’, it brings to mind images of beatings and verbal lashings – and many senior citizens undergo these on a daily basis around the world. But what about the silent abuse we mete out to our elders every day?

Abuse takes form in several ways, and it always starts with the small things. Let’s give our elders the respect and dignity that we expect the world to show us, and many things will begin to fall into place one by one. There’s no need for grand gestures – though those would be nice, too. I think it helps if we just keep in touch. Talk to them and listen. Laugh at the stories they tell even though you’ve heard them since childhood. If you believe in karma and all that jazz, may be your children will treat you well in your old age. At the very least, you’ll spend some really great times with an elder you know – and I find that they do have some really awesome stories to tell.

‘Grey Space’ is a weekly column on senior citizen issues. If you have an anecdote, or legal information, or anything you feel is useful to senior citizens, caregivers and the society at large, feel free to get it published in this space. Write to editor@themetrognome.in or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Themetrognome.in and we will publish your account.

(Picture courtesy udaipurtimes.com, www.tapovan.org.in. Images are used for representational purpose only)

Article Courtesy : http://www.themetrognome.in/grey-space/the-old-man-on-the-bus 

Cultures That Celebrate Aging And Respect Their Elders: China

Chinese children care for their parents in old age. 

As in Korea, Chinese families traditionally view filial piety and respect for one's elders as the highest virtue, deriving from the Confucian tradition. Although westernization has lessened the power of these values in some cities and communities, adult children are still generally expected to care for their parents in their old age.

"Placing your parents in retirement homes will see you labeled as uncaring or a bad son," Beijing resident Zhou Rui told China.org. "To abandon one's family is considered deeply dishonorable."

However, this tradition is beginning to break down in China, due to the country's one-child policy, rising life expectancy and an aging population. Nursing homes are beginning to become a more socially acceptable option for elderly care.

Courtesy: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/25/what-other-cultures-can-teach_n_4834228.html?ir=India 

Silver Innings FC, Youth for Change for Elders Cause

Silver Innings FC (Football Club) is project of Silver Innings (SI), a social enterprise working with Senior Citizens since April 2008, it is supported by Silver Inning Foundation (SIF) , an NGO working with Senior Citizens.

 

Vision: Our vision is of an Generation Friendly world , where people of all ages live in harmony

Mission : To create awareness and sensitizes youth towards our Elders through sports for development concept

Objective:
To Promote Football

To Promote Sports for Development and provide Life Skills among children’s and youths

To create awareness about elder issues among children’s and youths in community, schools and colleges and thereby create a generation friendly society

To create Inter generational bonding 

The Team:

The Silver Innings pilot project was with Sponsorship of Team Alfresco FC in 2011 and 2012 “Foot D Ball to Stop Elder Abuse”, it recognizes the potential that football and other sports can unleash when systematically included in processes of social change. Football especially has the power to unite people and cultures all over the world. As a team sport it promotes fairness and tolerance, leapfrogs gender boundaries and fosters mutual understanding, thereby contributing to the positive development of personality and character.

With this successful Pilot project, Silver Innings launched its own Football Club in June 2013, ’Silver Innings FC’(SIFC) under leadership of Pritesh Singh, Team Coach – Manager. Pritesh Singh say’s “the whole idea is to engage youths, empowering them with skills to positively develop their personality and character, thus increasing opportunities to tackle their life and enhancing a strong civil society”.

Sailesh Mishra, Founder of Silver Innings, quotes “SIFC will utilize skill and wisdom of our Elder and use a holistic approach to promote ‘Sports for Development’ through Football”.

SIFC in 2013-14 played their first prestigious tournament MDFA III Division for 2013-14 and in their very first attempt were group Topper in Group E, with 16 points from 7 matches with 6 Win and 1 Draw.

As SIFC was group topper in III Division in 2013-14, they were promoted to Div II in 2014-15.

Our 2014-15 Team:

 

At time of going press, Update till date 13^th Nov 2014, following is MDFA Div II tournament standing of SIFC :  1 Loss ,1 Win, 2 Draw.

 

Background:
The process of urbanisation and globalization have led to demographic , socio-cultural and economical changes in India , disintegration of joint family system and increase in cost of living which is thereby resulting in decrease in opportunities for grandparents and grandchildren to interact and socialize , resulting in increase in intergenerational gap and disharmony.
To bridge this gap, Fusion and Synergy between Youth & Elders will help us to achieve our vision of creating elder friendly world where ageing becomes a positive and rewarding experience. This intergeneration activity with Sport For Development (S4D) concept through Football is tried for first ever time for promoting Elder Cause and to create awareness about Elder Abuse in civil society.


Need :
Sports programme promotes social inclusive and serve as effective tool for social mobilization. Access to and participation in sport is a human right and essential for individuals of all ages to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Sport and physical activity are essential for improving health and well being. Appropriate forms of sport and physical activity can play a significant role to prevent as well as help cure many of the world's leading noncommunicable diseases. Evidence shows that regular participation in physical activity programmes provides all people with a wide range of physical, social and mental health benefits. Such active participation also interacts positively with strategies to improve diet, discourage the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs and enhance functional capacity. Consequently, physical activity is an effective method of disease prevention for the individual and, for nations, a cost-effective way to improve public health.

Sport, recreation and play are a fun way to learn values and lessons that will last a life time. They promote friendship and fair play. They teach team work, discipline, respect, and the coping skills necessary to ensure that children develop into caring individuals. They help prepare young people to meet the challenges they will face and to take leadership roles within their communities. Sport and recreation programs are creating environments that are safe and promote stable relationships between children and adults, and among children themselves. Sport as a development instrument becomes even more interesting if it is durably embedded in the local society.

Sport and play are important to UNICEF because they are vital elements in the health, happiness and well-being of children and young people. Research shows that participation by young people in structured recreation contributes to their physical and psychosocial development and can teach basic values and life skills - hard work, discipline, teamwork, fairness and respect for others - that shape individuals' behaviour and help them to pursue their goals and respond appropriately to events in their own lives and in those of others.

UNICEF's Sport for Development (S4D) work is grounded in its mission to ensure that every child has the right to recreation and play in a safe and healthy environment - a right founded in Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child - as well as the right to sport, which is specifically contained in other international treaties. It also recognizes sport-based initiatives as a programme strategy to achieve specific development objectives, including, most notably, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Football is one of the most patronized sports around the world. All around the globe, organisations driven by local social entrepreneurs, use the power of the beautiful game to positively transform their communities. Development through Football is becoming an important issue within the development cooperation and social work sectors. 

Fuelling positive social change through Football has become a fundamental pillar in and carries a significant responsibility for the society as a whole. Due to its values, popularity, universal nature and appeal, football -in all its forms- can be seen as the ideal instrument for achieving social and human development targets and tackling many of the major challenges faced by society today. Football has a positive effect on those who play it, both in terms of health (physical activity) and life skills (the values of team sport).

A perfect analogy to life ,The principles and values of street- or simply informal football played within Development through Football programmes include fair play, team spirit, tolerance, inclusion, and understanding, both of oneself but also of the others, regardless of their status as opponents or team mates.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup which was staged in Africa for the first time ever has strengthen the connection between football and social development even more and thus offer a great chance to showcase the full potential of football.

In India organsiation like Dream A Dream has training module “The Dream Way of Working with Children” highlights values like respect for children, progressive ways of getting children to follow instructions, and making learning for children fun, interesting and participatory.
Also Magic Bus India works for change through football ,finds the potential and abilities within each child, empowering them to build strong and aware communities free of religious and caste prejudice and gender divides. It believes in the child’s right to a positive future in which they make their own choices and take responsibility for change.

We call upon members of Civil Society , Youth Clubs , Sports Club , UN Agencies, Educational Institutions , Corporate , Media ,Senior Citizens Organization’s and Senior Citizens to come ahead and support our unique pilot project “Silver Innings FC ” by Participating , Organizing matches , Capacity building training , Train the Trainer , Media promotion and most important by Funding and Sponsoring.

Contact: silverinnings@gmail.com , Mobile: 91+ 9920852255

LIKE us at : https://www.facebook.com/SilverInningsFc/

Bachpan after Pachpan (Childhood after Fity Five) , Youth Initiative for Senior Citizens

Bachpan after Pachpan (Childhood after Fity Five)  is a social initiative campaign run by a group of Third Year Mass Media students of Wilson College in association with Silver Inning Foundation, Harmony and other NGO’s . The campaign aims at sensitizing the community, especially the youth about the issues faced by the Elderly today. The campaign focuses on Intergenerational Bonding because we believe that most of the problems faced by the Elderly (like Elder Abuse, Neglect etc) can be changed a great deal if the youth stand up for them.

Watch a group of 47 senior citizens young at heart, grooving to 'dhinka chika' and reliving their youth at High Street Phoenix. These enthusiastic 55+ years old adults are thinking of nothing else except enjoying themselves & having a good time. As they say truly "Old is Gold" and these "young" adults have proved just that!

We at ‘Bachpan after Pachpan’ seek to make the lives of Senior citizens pleasant at the twilight of their lives. We aim at creating an elder-friendly world. We take steps which ensure that the Elderly experience the joy of their childhood and youth even at this age. We encourage and inspire the society to take initiative to care for the elderly and to extend to them the much needed support, love and aid in their own small ways. It can be anything… just listening to what they have to say, just helping them cross the road, buy a train or bus ticket, making them aware of their rights or simply just make them laugh their heart out loud.

As part of the campaign, we are doing various events in the city. 

One of the events that we organized is Flash Mob – which took place today, the 4^th of Jan 2012, at High Street Phoenix, Mumbai , India around 5.00 in the evening. The event saw 47 Senior Citizens of an NGO Harmony initiate and perform a Flash Mob. It was a huge success.

Another event that we will be organizing is a Karaoke Night for Senior Citizens, in association with the online karaoke portal singchana.com.  Our partner NGO for the same is Silver Inning Foundation, founded and headed by Mr. Sailesh Mishra. Silver Innings is working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience.

The Team

1.    Shaaz Rizvi

2.    Neil Ghogale

3.    Dhanika Kothari

4.    Preeti Hiwale

5.    Ashish Pawar

6.    David Thanzauva

Find us on Facebook at:  www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bachpan-after-Pachpan/284116768305992

For further information, support and help, please contact:

Dhanika Kothari  : Email: dhanika.af1@gmail.com               

 Shaaz Rizvi :  Email: shaaz.bmm@gmail.com