B-6 The Foothill Leader, Saturday, April 7, 1990 Visits join generations Young folks andold folks cement bonds oflove By LESLIE GLICK Two unique Foothill area pro- jects designed to cement bonds of Jove between the gencrations en- rich the daily lives of the young and the. old, Sharing and caring between local shildren and institutionalized sen- ior sitizens is fostered by the Ver- dugo Hills YMCA “Adopt-A- Grandparent Program and Project Caress — through touch and trust, friendship and fun ‘The Y's After-School Child Care Leader Ann Olson, 23, began the ‘Adopt-A-Grandparent Program after children from Mountain View and Pinewood Elementary Schools in Tujunga went Christmas caroll- ing last December to entertain pa- tients at Oakview Convalescent Hospital The event's success prompted Olson to expand the project to visit the elderly residents on a regular basis. Approniniately—207-—first through sixth, grade- children, now et Together with their an adopted grandparent twice each month. ‘Olson learned when the elderly are institutionalized, many suffer from loneliness and frequentiy are forgotten. According to Olson. routine: interaction between Kittle ones and older folk results in a ‘mutually efficacious arrangement that enhances the well being of botls groups. Knowing people need love and ‘care helps make the children’s day brighter. And she said. “Our chil- dren help them not feel so lonely. ‘They need to be with one anoth- er ‘An additional reason to establish this program intended to bridge the enera Was 10 expose the /"Ie gives thems some of the outside Manoogian observed positive changes in the children as a result of their participation. The children are excited about the visits, and spending time with the elderly fills a void for those whose grandparems live out of town, he said The children unanimously agreed visiting their adopted grandparents was a lot of fun. Second grader Jared Salisbury explained what the program meant to him. “I like going.” he said. “You get to visit them. They don't get t0 see anybody else.” ‘Adam Duncan, a fifth grader, considers his adopted grandmother Elsie one of his best friends. “Tlike visiting one of my best friends,” he said, referring to Elsie. “I ieam how’ old they are and learn their ames, It's fun having all your friends there and playing with them.” ‘Although grandparents are gen- erally assigned on a one-to-one basis, De Ann Lotton has two grandmothers. Lutton said the pro- gram is fun and thinks visiting makes their adopted grandparents, happy because they like children, “They like little kids.” she said. and recommended the program for other children. “They would prob- ably enjoy it (because of) the pei ple there and the games they play.” A treasure hunt and an Easter cag hunt are forthcoming. Aside from fun the children and their grandparents share, there are social ramifications inhefent in the program Olson hopes will inspire Eruise values in the chldcem and ‘contribute to their development as responsible adults. “It lets them see a part of the world that normally isn't seen or talked about.” Olon said. “It heightens their: sensitivity and makes them aware of things going on in the society around them.” Meanwhile, Monday morning. weeks to 4-year-old children and their mothers from Project Caress gather in a circle with elderly resi- dents in a bright, airy dayroom at ‘Verdugo. Vista Convalescent Hos- a Aesoniites {0 the-srrains ol "I ‘Me Out To The Ballga “needs of others because ofthe pro kind of extended family capable of creating a bond between gen! ee : “The structure of the family has! been “gute dasruptcd,” Huxley: said. ~The mother and father ean do just so much because time is taken up by work, and sometimes: ae, are not available: culture hes taken such a turn that children are often lonely or in} front of the television, which isthe: ‘most cruel and unnatural baby sit~ ter: It never touches, and it’s never) personal S ing (oe as Oe acomlied through carressing and would like 10 sce more ment become involved: in the nurturing process. “Its very good for men to do this berause they alsa need ihe flog ‘of being caressed.” she said eed to see men as much as wor en, It's never t00 late to start,” Some patients who refuse other! hospital activities, participate im Project Caress, according t0 Polite Bares, activity director at V. dugo Vista “It. makes them feel happy am "s nothing more beneficial: than a litte, tiny hand coming lover, touching and reaching. out,” she Said, “It brings back pleasant-memo- ies and reminds the elderly of hen they: had children of their own, Barnes c Debbie Pile. 29, mother of Ryan. 4, and Allie, 2. leads the weekiy sessions with six mothers ‘and encourages others to partici- pate. Pile vividly recalled being afraid of older people and attributed her ‘wepidation mainly 10 lack of ex- posure. She was determined that her children would not grow up with that fear. “L was seared of older people.“ she said. “T wanted (my children} not to Have any fear. I figured they're used to them now. wher they grow older. they won't have fear like tid z ‘Both her children (gained frome the experience, she said. mis more sensitive to. theThe toddlers come to the aged care facilities: Music Therapy 10.00am Trivia with Lydea 10.30am Art and Craft 10.00am-11.30am SPECIAL EVENT Music Therapy 11.00am Level One Level Two Memory Support Unit Activities Room montree Kindergarten Visit = 30pm Level 5 Level Three inthe Room Activities Room SPECIAL EVENT jowrie Early Learning Centre Visi