Architecture & Morality

Topic: 

Overcome age segregation through intergenerational facility

Introduction

Living in the 21st century, it is more common to have senior living single. The changes of living arrangement today lead to separation of older and younger generations. Since the working adult started to busy with their work or other factors, their children and older parents are not able to be monitor and assist by them regularly. Sending kids to day care centre and putting older parents into day care services or elderly home will be their choices.

​

Even though these children and elderly centre are having good atmosphere, living accommodations and series of activities, but the design of these two facilities are tend to be age-segregated, with very limited opportunity for the two age groups to interact. They only spend time among their age group. Many children grow up with little contact with elderly people, or even their own grandparents. The development of negative perception and fear towards elderly will increases if they have less opportunity to interact with elderly ( Kocarnik, Ponzetti, 1991).

​

Should senior and children being put together under one roof? Intergenerational programs was first introduced in Japan, started with intergenerational care facility. According to McCrea, Wissmann, and Thorpe-Brown (2004), the intergenerational programs is a tool to foster interaction and bond relationship between the old and young generations which were carried out on an ongoing basis.

 

Supportive arguments:

​

1. Mental and physical health

First and foremost, intergenerational program mean providing spaces and opportunity for the old and young generations to mix around. It could serve as a key health promoters among the seniors by reduce the sense of social isolation and loneliness, potentially relieves or lessens depression. Senior’s mental health can be improved when they feel sense of purpose especially when they are needed, through sharing, chatting, and guide the younger kids. There is a social experiment in Australia where preschoolers are mix with seniors from retirement homes and aged care centre. After some period of time, the seniors are more willing to get out of their wheelie walker and go for a walk. Their physical strength increase and they are more energetic than before, spending time outdoor mix with the children, holding hands for a walk, or watch the kids playing.

​

   2. Informal learning

When the two generations meet, they can play a game or read a book together. Children are able to be friends with elderly, and gain informal learning other than the school curriculum. In Malaysia, except from Montessori program, other preschool curriculum are focus more on academic, and lesser play. Seniors have skills and knowledge that can be shared, they can be view as an individual that possess lifelong skills, rather than just passive recipients of care. The children can learn valuable tacit knowledge from the seniors. On the other hand, seniors can learn new technologies from the younger generations. It can help the young generations to build up self-esteem and confidents through communicate with the seniors. All generations are able to learn new skill and sharing knowledge when they spending time together.

​

   3. Learn valuable values

Through mixing around with the seniors, children can learn to be patience, acceptance, increase their social maturity, and instils positive attitude towards ageing. (Schering, 2019) Intergenerational scheme would help both old and young generations to value each other, dispels negative stereotypes and encourages bonding among generations. For children and youth who do not have grandparents or other seniors in the family, engaging with older adults fills a social gap. Nowadays, families are separated by distance, time and lack of understanding between generations. The positive values learnt will be benefits for the children’s future.

​

   4. Contribute to society and economy growth

Intergenerational programs that involve both elderly and younger generations can help to build up neighborhood trust, and strengthen the community’s ties, other than creating intergenerational bonding. It is a long term program which lead both old and young generations to the right track, and ensure longevity and continuous growth in the community. (Murayama, 2019). Elderly feel sense of purpose for contributing to the community at the same time gain respect from the younger generations. Intergenerational facility strengthen mental and physical health for the generations especially the elderly, directly reduce healthcare burden, solving social issues, and indirectly contribute to our country economy growth.

 

 

Arguments against:

​

   1. Attitude towards elderly

It is not a healthy phenomenon but ageism is exist in the society, which the elderly are being view negatively. The discrimination towards older people are based on stereotypes, where elderly are being view as a group of people who live passively without income, poor health conditions, hard to communicate, and need to be taken care of. Parents would worry if letting their kids spending time with the elderly when they cannot even take care of themselves. There are changes in the elderly today where they are healthier and more capable to contribute to the younger generations, but stereotypes towards elderly could not be overcome in a short period of time. The negative attitude of children and society towards elderly will be a barrier to succeed the intergenerational program and learning.

​

   2. Different needs

It is hard to fulfil both old and young generations’ needs at the same time, especially their emotional feeling. Children are always wild and energetic, they can play for whole day except from eat and sleep. They like to scream and shout, running here and there. On contradictory, elderly likes quiet environment. Most of the seniors prefer to mingle around and chat with their friends about the same age, as they have more common topic and understanding for each other. Moreover, children movement are fast compare to elderly. Children need to slow down and control their movement when carry out activities with the seniors

​

   3. Cultural differences

Our country are form by diverse community which mix through ethnicity, religion, and culture. (Sek-khuen, Thomas, 2017)  A lot of issues need to be considered. Even though overseas started to have intergenerational facility, but it is still challenging to instil intergenerational program in Malaysia.

​

   4. Not necessary need a place  

Last but not least, elderly today are healthier and more actively engage with social activities. Besides from early morning tai-chi and Zumba dance, they sometimes travel with friends locally or to overseas. Moreover, some seniors involve in volunteering program nearby their house to help the needed people. They are not limited by the travel distance as they can drive to the places they want, and public transport provided are more convenient. They have more opportunity to interact with children when they go outdoors.

​

 

Conclusion:

There is a need to cater for intergenerational program and spaces, which empower elderly and instils good culture and skill in children since young, also challenge the conventional spaces that divide function by ages. The society require a revolution in the way that young and ageing population can help each other and contribute to the nation growth. Despite the challenges and oppose arguments, it still a great idea to have intergenerational facility as there is more benefits of bringing older and younger people together, in a way that allows them to interact positively. By overcoming the age-segregation, elderly are able to care for younger generations, and in return they are happier and live meaningful. The society could not just focus on the children and left the older generations in stagnation. A healthy growth of nation is the growing of all the generations regardless of their age.

​

​

​

​

​

​

References:

https://blog.thegoodmangroup.com/benefits-of-intergenerational-programs

Kocarnik, R. and Ponzetti, J. (1991). The Advantages and Challenges of Intergenerational Programs in Long Term Care Facilities. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 16(1-2), pp.97-107.

Schering, S. (2019). New preschool brings kids and seniors together at Oak Park Arms. [online] Chicagotribune.com. Available at: https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-park/ct-oak-intergenerational-preschool-tl-0912-20190906-wu4jk7w2vbgppmv7bsiyuowizi-story.html [Accessed 16 Nov. 2019].

Murayama, Y. et al. (2019) ‘The impact of intergenerational programs on social capital in Japan: A randomized population-based cross-sectional study’, BMC Public Health. BMC Public Health, 19(1), pp. 1–9. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6480-3.

​

​