Hooray for Grandparent's Day by Nancy Carlson
There is a special connection between children and the elderly. Nothing will light up the face of an older person better than the site of child. Even when they may be suffering of Alzheimer's Disease and in the middle of nowhere in their mind, if a young child walks by in a nursing home or senior citizens center, they will come out of their grief and smile!
There is also the innocense of childhood that doesn't look at an older person with the same questions or fear that many adults will. Children will walk over to them and talk to them without seeing them through the eyes of pity.
You can promote this type of behavior in children by leading them with example when you see an elderly person by saying hello and smiling at them. Children look at their parents and adults and may act strange to someone older unless they see calmness and kindness from their guardians.
One thing parents can do is read stories about the elderly to children. The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has many books for children under the category of Appreciating the Elderly. You can browse the selections at the website by clicking HERE
Comments
David:
Good article. I have seen the devastating effects of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's in the elderly whenever I visit Alzheimer's care units to minister to patients.
Also, thanks for promoting my article on Twitter. I am not a Twitter user myself but maybe it is time to access this valuable portal to "raise public awareness" as you mentioned on issues such as brain awareness, and age-related diseases. I added you to my list of favorite Examiners. :)
Thanks for your comment Ruben and for adding me! Twitter is really good for visibility. It takes a while to find your target readers, but every little tool helps the cause. Take care!
I just sent this article out on Twitter because it's VERY important. I've lost both of my parents in the past few years so my younger children do not get that extra special benefit of having grandparents around. I love the elderly and try to seek out older people who have no one--the children brighten their day!
Thanks for this article. A+++
Thanks for your comment Chery and your support for bridging that gap between youth and the elderly. There's a lot for all of us to learn from the elderly.
Sorry...Cheryl...for misspelling your name..I just realized...
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