Americans are “more socially isolated than ever” with about 50% of adults reporting feelings of loneliness (Grand Challenges for Social Work, 2008, p. 1; US Surgeon General Advisory, 2023) This isolation contributes to age segregation and fuels ageism- both culturally and across systems such as healthcare and public policy. As older adults navigate loneliness and a growing housing and long-term care crisis, families face increasing challenges in accessing affordable childcare.

Intergenerational services, programs and shared sites offer a powerful way to meaningfully bring people together and address these social challenges simultaneously. For example, a daycare at a nursing home provides both childcare for staff and the potential for motivating intergenerational programming for older adults. For me, this work has been a central thread throughout my career as both a music therapist and budding social worker.

I began developing intergenerational programming early in my career, starting with a Grandparents Day music therapy event during my internship at Hochstein Music School in upstate New York. Later as a hospice music therapist, I was surprised how supportive intergenerational work was at the end of a patient’s life. I taught a teenage granddaughter to play ‘You are My Sunshine,’ on her ukulele and re-wrote the words about her grandmother. She played this to her grandmother and family before her grandmother died. In another situation, I provided music and instruments for a patient to smile, laugh and cry as she watched her two year old great grandchild giggle with joy. At the Falls at Cordingly Dam, an assisted living and memory care community, I built a partnership with a nearby preschool, leading monthly themed intergenerational music and movement groups. I also created intergenerational music programs with an all-boys high school and memory care.. These programs continue today. More recently, with support from Winchester Community Music School, I completed the Music Together® Generations training, expanding my ability to foster cross-generational connections.

My interest in intergenerational work deepened through my social work training. In a course titled, “The Aging Experience: Theoretical Perspectives and Contemporary Issues” taught by Dr. Judith Gonyea, I explored intergenerational shared sites- or locations that match “younger generations with older adults in the same physical location, with periodic activities or programs that bring them together” (Generations United &Eisner Foundation, 2018, p 1). These models offer innovative ways to address isolation and housing challenges while destigmatizing aging. A great example of an intergenerational shared site is Lasell Village, a senior living community located on the campus of Lasell University. I currently teach Ukulele and music related courses (such as Music and Social Change and Perspectives in Music) at Lasell Village.

I believe intergenerational connections can bridge divides, counter ageism, and nurture the sharing of cultural and historical traditions, creating communities that are both vibrant and supportive. I look forward to continuing this work and encouraging people of all ages to connect and grow together.

Competencies Note: In my intergenerational work and studies I have demonstrated the following competencies: 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior- in collaborating with multiple professionals and ethically meeting the needs to two populations at once with dignity
3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Practice
Fighting against cultural ageism
4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
Researching the challenges and outcomes of intergenerational sites
5: Engage in Policy Practice
Researching policies and guidelines related to intergenerational shared sites
6 and 8: Engage and Intervene
with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities Engaging across communities