This time last year, we shared some of our favorite things that younger generations learn from their elders. Seniors have a wealth of knowledge to share, whether through miscellaneous daily activities like delicious cooking or vivid storytelling, or through larger life lessons such as dealing with loss or avoiding regrets. However, relationships between people of different generations can mean that information is shared both ways. When spending time with the younger generation, many seniors learn something new themselves. Here are the top five things the older generation can learn from today’s youth:
It’s no secret that many seniors struggle to keep up-to-date with modern technology. With confusing social media websites and endless mobile device capabilities, it seems as though everything is turning electronic. One of the lessons seniors can learn from the youth surrounding them is how to use technology to better connect with friends and family. Kids and grandkids can teach their loved ones how to use video chat applications and easily text in order to keep communication flowing.
As kids, we jumped at any opportunity to have fun and be silly. With time, we’re taught to sit still, mind our manners, and eventually, many people find themselves losing their silliness. By spending time with the younger generation, seniors can re-learn how to enjoy themselves and make the most of every moment. There’s no need to take everything so seriously, and it’s okay to relax and play every now and then.
Kids are tolerant and open-minded people. This not only applies to how they choose friends, but also how they learn. Young kids don’t choose friends based on background, political views, career choices, or education. Also, younger generations are eager to learn and absorb knowledge no matter how daunting it might seem. Unfortunately, as we get older we tend to becomes more set in both our ways and our ideas. While these new things might seem scary or difficult, kids teach us to keep an open mind and get excited to develop new skills or learn something new.
Younger generations get a bad rap for being attached to all sorts of recording and storage technology. With phones, social media, cameras, and countless other tools, kids and young adults are able to record every single moment of their day if they choose and share or store that recording in various different places. This readily available technology encourages the younger generation to share photos of meals, post daily updates on their mundane activities, and respond to other important moments shared by others. Seniors can learn from the younger generation to better appreciate the banal moments of the day and be more open to sharing moments, thoughts, or ideas with friends and family, no matter how trivial it might seem.
As children, we climb, swing, jump, and play in the yard. Young adults like to climb mountains, ski, and spend time in the garden. Adults chase around their little ones and make efforts to stay in shape. Unfortunately, many seniors lose this desire for movement as it starts to become difficult. Seniors can feel tired, sore, or unmotivated quickly, making them less likely to be active every day. It’s crucial to learn from younger generations that movement doesn’t need to mean boring gyms or tedious at-home stretches. There are fun ways to stay active, and it’s especially important for the elderly to maintain the activity level they did when they were young.
If you’ve learned a lesson from a young person in your life, leave us a comment down below. We’d love to hear your feedback and chat about how you’ve seen the youth inspire the older generation! To learn how home health care can keep the older people in your life as young as they feel, contact Optimal Home Care today!