Intergenerational Programming for Young Children and Older Adults: An Overview of Needs, Approaches, and Outcomes in the United States

Abstract

According to Generations United, a leading organization focused on improving the lives of children, youth, and older people through intergenerational strategies, intergenerational programs “purposefully bring together people of different generations in ongoing, mutually beneficial, planned activities, designed to achieve specified program goals.” At the heart of these programs is the understanding that society is based on the giving and receiving of resources across the lifespan. Children have developmental and educational needs, and so do older adults. When people of all ages share their talents, support each other, and forge meaningful connections, both individuals and communities benefit. This article reviews how intergenerational programs have been organized in the United States and how they can positively affect the developmental outcomes and well-being of young and old alike.