Page 29 - Leisure Living Magazine July 2016

How Grandparents And
Teens Can Make Memories
By Robin Small, Otterbein North Shore Senior Lifestyle Community
August is the sweet spot for family connec- tions and making memories. Family picnics, reunions, vacations to see grandparents, and
written recipe. She uses a little of this and a little of that. Schedule 4 days in August to get together and cook. Use your phone or tablet computer to video the process. Write the recipes in a notebook
county fair season
connections. As
summer nears
an end and the
school year is
fast approaching,
there are wonder-
ful ways to bring
the generations
together for some
quality time that
will result in mak-
ing memories that
will last far into
the future. The older and younger generations have experiences and knowledge to share. Plan to get together with someone who is 40+ years your junior or senior! Here are your opportu- nities:
1. Technology: Every year, more seniors are using the internet and social media. Studies show that the more that those over 65 use social media, the greater the chances for them to be engaged in social settings face-to-face. Who knows better how to use technology than teens and those in their twenties? Does grandma want to learn how to use the smart phone that was the “free” phone given to her with her cell phone contract? Does grandpa want to get on Facebook so that he can see the photos that family posts? Does Aunt Hel- en want to learn how to Google for recipes on the web? Schedule and promise to keep 5 sessions in August, just one hour per session to slowly go over the basics. One rule for the young person: Let the elder hold the device and do the enter- ing. We learn by doing and it’s the same for older learners. Also, remember to review each lesson before starting a new concept. Here’s the payoff: When the lightbulb goes on and your loved one “gets it” everyone wins!!
2. Recipes: Family recipes get lost when no one records them. Grandma might make great fried chicken, but most likely she doesn’t follow a
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all provide opportunities for
The older and younger generation both have experiences toshare.
or in a recipe app. Good food brings back great memo- ries. Record some of the memories of when the food was served. Make a photo book of the recipes, memories and photos.
3. Photos:
Same as above!
Schedule four days in August to sort through boxes of old photos. Buy some archival quality labels and put them on the back of the photos. List the people in the photos, relationships and short summaries of the time and place. When the folks in the photos are gone, the memories and relationships will go on
and on.
4. Exercise: Use the guide at https://www.nia.
nih.gov/health/publication/exercise-physical-ac- tivity/introduction and schedule two sessions each week in August and start an intergenera- tional exercise group – even if it’s a group of two! Exercise, as allowed by a person’s physician, is the number one way to stay healthy and help to im- prove health problems. Exercise also helps people with high blood pressure, balance problems, or difficulty walking. If a young person and an old- er person pair up and become exercise buddies, there is a 100% chance that close relationships and better physical well-being will result!
5. Entertainment: Laughter is the best med- icine! Give the gift of time to each other. Play games. Learn a new card game. Try a video game together. Share music. Go and get frozen yogurt together. Take a three hour painting class. Vis- it the Art Museum. Go to the ballpark. Enjoy Wheel of Fortune together. Pick some tomatoes. Shuck some corn. Go to the fair. Love this chance to just “BE”!
July 2016 LeisureLiving | 29