Pic: My Late Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andres N. Horcasitas, Jr. dancing at event (middle/center), Times-Picayune, April 27, 1986, Photo by Alexander Barkoff
When I was a teenager (many years ago!), the term "generation gap" was used a lot to describe the normal separation of age groups like minors, adults and the elderly. Nowadays you hear the term "Sandwich Generation" for boomers like me who may be "sandwiched" between being care providers for our parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and/or other extended family. While there are clearly distinct characteristics and preferences as to how we interact with people of all ages, there is a common thread to our outreach and understanding..
The greatest success thus far in changing the attitudes of young people toward aging and older persons has occurred in programs that rely heavily on providing inter generational relationships - the bringing of young and old together for a common endeavor. Some programs nationally and locally have involved such things as child and adult day care.
One inter generational venture that I was involved with in 1986 involved the Junior/Senior Prom. This was not the traditional high school experience. It was a project we helped some juniors from the Academy of Sacred Heart in hosting a '20s syle dance for senior adults from around the city. The project was a part of a religion class dealing with social concerns.
I was working at the New Orleans Council on Aging in the mid 1980's and was approached by Br. Gale Condit, a Christian Brother who taught Religion at Sacred Heart Academy, with the idea of bringing together the generations for a fun gathering. As Brother Gale noted at the event, "We're trying to get our students and the elderly to know each other better, to help break down some of the myths and stereotypes."
Prior to the Junior/Senior Prom, I would come to teach some his Religion classes with the Juniors at Sacred Heart about gerontology or the study of aging, since the focus of the curriculum was on social issues. We would discuss demographics, trends in the field of aging and review community resources that can aid the elderly like home health, meals on wheels or the Ombudsman advocate program for nursing home residents.
We developed an list of invitees for the event that was representative of all the diverse populations from the greater New Orleans area per the senior centers that were located there. It was neat to find a way to cross boundaries not only involving age but also ethnicity. I was even able to sneak an invitation to my parents, who were able to attend the function and were even featured in the local paper's coverage of the event!
That evening, as the invited guest were brought to the beautiful entrance "hourseshoe" of Sacred Heart Academy on St. Charles Avenue - with the elegant wrought iron fence surrounding the well manicured landscaping, a 1912 Model T was used to escort folks to the school's entrance.
Inside of Sacred Heart, the theme sign that was prominently noted was "Stars Shine Through the Generations!" Silver stars and pink balloons hung from the ceiling, as well as draped posters of Humphrey Bogart and Gary Cooper. Music was provided by a band and choral group from one of the local assisted living/nursing homes. There was even a Tapper Entertainer on hand who could do as well as the star from the Lawrence Welk Show!
The prom was a huge succes as both young and old alike danced together to such favorites as "Hello, Dolly," "You Made Me Love You" and several ragtime numbers. Besides having fun, all those involved with the prom were enriched by the inter generational experience. As Gerontologist John Meyers once noted, "Nothing will affect the lives of tomorrow's elders more than the attitudes of today's youth; after all, they are one and the same.
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When I was a teenager (many years ago!), the term "generation gap" was used a lot to describe the normal separation of age groups like minors, adults and the elderly. Nowadays you hear the term "Sandwich Generation" for boomers like me who may be "sandwiched" between being care providers for our parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and/or other extended family. While there are clearly distinct characteristics and preferences as to how we interact with people of all ages, there is a common thread to our outreach and understanding..
