Hospice of the Valley and CLS bridge the generation gap

arcadianews.com
Dec. 1, 2024
by Cliff Summerhill

Hospice of the Valley (HOV) and Christ Lutheran School (CLS) are entering the second year of a partnership that connects students with individuals at the Dementia Care and Education Campus.

As part of HOV’s Adult Day Club, fifth-grade students visit individuals living with dementia to bridge intergenerational divides and spread enrichment, support, and joy that lasts long after the day’s activities have ended.

“Intergenerational time has so many proven benefits for young and old people alike,” Day Club Manager Sara Meins said. “We are so grateful for the beautiful opportunity to build this relationship with Christ Lutheran School.”

“The focus is on fun and being together,” Community Engagement Director Lin Sue Flood said. “The smiles and laughter are a genuine indication of how much joy both age groups find in their time together.”

Students partake in various meaningful activities with club members, including painting, coloring, gardening, and activities like cornhole, catch, and shuffleboard. The most important activity, however, is conversation.

“Even though there is an age gap, both the Adult Day Club members and the students have the opportunity to learn from each other as they share stories and various interests,” CLS Service Learning Coordinator Mandi Schnepf said.

Schnepf highlights that the program is special to the school because it allows students to meet and care for new friends, even if they are generations ahead of them. In addition, the students learn valuable information about the different types of dementia and their impact on individuals and their families.

“You can truly see the joy it brings to the club members and the students by the smiles on their faces when they are together,” Schnepf shared.

What started as a pen pal program after a visit to the school from Meins to share some education about dementia quickly blossomed into an ongoing in-person event because of the students’ interest in learning more about the disease and their passion around bringing joy to their pen pals.

The students spent time writing letters back and forth and even brought treats and hand-drawn pictures to the club’s mailbox before they finally got to meet their pen pals for the first time in the spring.

“The students coming to campus and interacting with the club members is extraordinary and heartwarming for all,” Meins said.

Ashlee, one of the students who participated in the program, shared that she loved playing games and getting to know everyone when she visited earlier this year.

“I thought it would be fun to go and see how people with dementia live life, and it was really fun,” Ashlee said. “Even though they need special help, they can still do a lot of things that everyday people can do.”

Another student, Andrew, said his favorite part was meeting the patients and playing games with them because they usually don’t get visits from kids.

“I wanted to go because these people don’t get a lot of visits, and I want to make their day fun and happy and surprise them,” Andrew said. “I learned that no matter what age you are, you can always have lots of fun.”

Students will visit HOV’s dementia campus three more times this year, just in time to bring much-needed joy this holiday season.