Andrew Fleck Children’s Services, with the support of the Council on Aging of Ottawa, Families Canada, and a team of advisors from across Canada and the UK, has been developing this project. Funded through a private trust, the Engage at Every Age project has grown, learned, and successfully trialed intergenerational programming in a way that is uniquely our own.

Many of us are lucky enough to have fond childhood memories of time spent with grandparents or other older adults. These moments can be magical as well as impactful, shaping us and how we see the world. A relationship with a grandparent can have a profound and lasting effect. For my colleagues and myself on the Engage at Every Age team, those memories are a source of joy and inspiration, and they continue to guide the work we do today.

It’s easy to see the appeal of intergenerational programming. For years, people have recognized its potential and pursued it in many different forms. We’ve all seen the heartwarming photos and videos of young children visiting older adults, bringing smiles and joy. But what is the goal? What do these interactions truly mean for those involved? Are there long-term benefits for both the older adult and the child? While these moments are beautiful, Engage at Every Age goes a step further: our focus is not only on creating interactions, but on building relationships that are consistent, sustainable, and meaningful for both children and older adults. These intergenerational connections are part of the program’s daily routine, as opposed to being an intermittent special visit from one age group to another.

By focusing on the experiences and benefits for both children and older adults, we are creating a space that fosters relationships. The bond between an older adult and a child is unique and special: a friendship between two people at opposite ends of their lives learning and sharing together – like those between a grandparent and grandchild. That is why we call the older adults in our program “Grandfriends”. Children benefit from having an adult to learn from who is a friend, but not a peer; a role model, but not a parent. Developing relationships outside of one’s immediate family is an essential part of the human experience and serves as a conduit for intergenerational knowledge.

Older adults benefit through improved quality of life in a number of areas, but primarily through reduced social isolation. We know that the risk of isolation increases with age, and that it has a devastating effect on mental, cognitive, and even physical health. When activity and engagement increase, frailty declines, reducing the risk of falls and improving mobility and independence.

For children, there are opportunities for advancement in social and language skills, along with increased empathy and a sense of belonging to a greater community. Children who develop genuine relationships with older adults are building a solid foundation for their own adulthood. It is one in which they carry a greater sense of perspective, community, and value for life at all stages.

The Engage at Every Age program is built on the understanding that intergenerational relationships are essential, not just for those who participate, but for the social health of the broader community. That is the change we hope to nurture: communities strengthened by relationships across generations.

To learn more, please register for our upcoming webinar here. 

Families Canada