Caregiver Support - Intergenerational Connections - Peer to Peer Socialization

Forever Young Intergenerational Respite and Socialization is a collaboration between Ardent Solutions, the Allegany County Office for the Aging, and Genesee Valley Central School.  The program engages older adults with students and staff in fun and rewarding activities that offer meaningful opportunities for socialization, community engagement, and a sense of giving back. 

​The respite program participants and the students learn together, laugh together, and coach each other through activities, providing a sense of mutual respect and admiration for one another. Program participants are often used to being supported by others yet with this program they have the opportunity to be in the position of charge and add value to the lives of others. Peer to peer socialization among participants is available through various activities including cards, games, puzzles, and other activities as defined by participant interest.

Hear from one of our Forever Young program attendees, Eunice, about her experience and what the program means to her.

Program Details

When:
Monday through Friday from 8:00AM – 5:00PM, as scheduled
​​*Except on Federal Holidays and School Closings

Where:
Genesee Valley Central School, 1 Jaguar Drive, Belmont, New York 14813

Who can attend:
Participants can be from Allegany or Cattaraugus County, must be 50+ years old, and must be able to self-maintain tasks such as using the restroom, eating meals, and managing medications.

​What:
The program is FREE to all. Lunch is included in the program and provided by the Genesee Valley Central School cafeteria.
**Virtual options to join from home are available with the use of an iPad provided by the program to participants! 

Caregiver Respite
What caregivers can expect:
​Take time to yourself to do whatever you need to do or just take a minute to relax, with the peace of mind that your loved one or friend is with us enjoying a fun and meaningful day engaging with students and their peers!

Adult Socialization
What program participants can expect:
​Participate in programs at the school that interest you the most! You can join classes in art, wood working, physical fitness, history, and more, OR socialize with other seniors, play cards or other games, enjoy conversation, have lunch together, or just relax in a fun and easy-going atmosphere.

Enroll Today by calling Ardent Solutions at (585) 593-1738 or the Allegany County Office for the Aging at (585) 268-9390.  The program is FREE to all community members through the generous support of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York.

---

Are you a caregiver?

More than 34 million individuals in the United States are family caregivers. Yet, few caregivers identify themselves as such. Why? Because often the things that make you a caregiver just seem like natural things to do as a son, daughter, spouse, neighbor, or friend. Identifying yourself as a caregiver is important. It gives you access to education and support. It also helps you provide quality care while staying healthy and active yourself.  Take the quiz below to determine if you are a caregiver.

Caregiver Quiz:

• ​Do you currently provide assistance such as cleaning, yard work or laundry for an adult family member or friend?
• Do you regularly cook, provide food or grocery shop for an older adult?
• Do you help take care of a loved one’s personal finances?
• Do you help a friend or family member by picking up or reminding him or her to take medications?
• Does an older adult call you nearly every day with a question or problem?
• Do you drive a friend or adult family member to doctor’s appointments, shopping trips or on other errands?
• Has assisting an older family member forced you to miss days of work, take a reduced schedule or consider early retirement?
• Do you call on behalf of a loved one to ask a question about a bill or to clear up confusion about a product or service?
• Are you feeling stressed by the additional responsibilities you’ve had to take on to help an adult family member?
• Are you unable to take part in hobbies or recreational activities because of the time spent caring for an adult family member?

If you answered "Yes" to ANY of the questions on the quiz, you are a caregiver and respite care may be right for you and your loved-one. ​

What is Respite?

Respite care exists to give primary caregivers like you a temporary break from your duties. It might be a couple of hours a day, once a week, a few times a month, or for entire weeks while you take a much-needed vacation. Seniors can receive respite care in their home, at an adult day center, or in a healthcare facility.

Family caregivers are dedicated to making their loved one's lives easier, safer, and more enjoyable.  However, this is often at the expense of their own personal care, mental health, career, and social relationships. The goal of respite care is to prevent caregiver burnout so that you can continue caring for your mom, dad, or other loved one in a healthy way.

Why Intergenerational Respite?
​
The physical and mental health benefits of intergenerational care are thought to be far reaching – from reducing loneliness and inducing laughter to reminding the elderly of their own childhoods and time spent with their children. For the participating children, these moments are thought to boost literacy, language and social skills.