Guide available to help homes implement intergenerational programming
Programming benefits both young and old – helps break down misconceptions
Friday January 23, 2009 -- Jason Thompson
Susan Wright says long-term care homes in Ontario working to implement intergenerational programming could benefit from the ideas and tools presented in the Guide to Intergenerational Physical Activity.

Released in partnership by United Generations Ontario, and the Lifestyle Information Network, the Guide to Intergenerational Physical Activity contains nine guidelines addressing the design, implementation and evaluation of intergenerational physical activity programs.

“Physical activity is a big issue right now so what we wanted to look at opportunities to incorporate physical activity into intergenerational programs on a consistent basis,” says Wright, coach and consultant with Wright Momentum, as well as project co-ordinator for the Guide to Intergenerational Physical Activity.

“Our aim is to see more people in Ontario active and generations being active together.”

According to Wright, intergenerational programming benefits both young and old and is about breaking down the barriers and stereotypes that both generations may have about one another.

“The youth have perceptions of an older adult but what (we) hear from the people who are in the trenches, so to speak, is that those myths are demystified very quickly as those relationships develop.”

Wright says it’s also important to engage youth as stakeholders in the decision-making process.

“When an idea or initiative is put forward, it’s really essential that you have the youth speaking and involved in the decisions that are made so they have input in the process and the activity that’s been chosen,” Wright says.

United Generations Ontario, who have made the Guide to Intergenerational Physical Activity available for download online, say its essential that all intergenerational programs contain an opportunity for acceptance and respect between generations, opens doors for new connections and future program opportunities and increased physical activity and movement.

Visit this link for more information or to download a copy of Guide to Intergenerational Physical Activity.

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