Ohio retirement living community emphasizes generational interaction


Ninety-seven-year-old Gertrude O'Neal has met one of her new best friends since she has moved to Judson, a continuing care community in Cleveland, Ohio, according to AARP.org. They both love art and conversation, even though her friend, Rachael Grossman, is 87 years her junior.


"I like how she smiles and is so friendly and kind.


Ohio retirement living community emphasizes generational interaction It's fun interacting with older people. They teach me and I teach them," Grossman told the news source.


The pair met two years ago at the Cleveland Art Museum. They were part of the same group, which was organized by Judson to visit the museum. The retirement living community organizes these events each month. Five hundred students will visit the seniors there and they will engage in any number of projects - whether that's a field trip, an art project or a concert.


There's even a movie-making class, which 82-year-old Patience Hoskins decided to take, not sure of what she would find. She was paired with a group of 13-year-old boys and came to appreciate their company.


Experts state that intergenerational interaction can be a key to staying youthful, because it keeps seniors engaged and connected with younger groups of people. Many different senior living communities now offer programs that host students and volunteers to facilities on a regular basis.


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