GRAND-FRIENDS PROGRAM ARE AWESOME

“We need old friends to help us grow old and new friends to help us stay young.” – Amish Proverb

Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers. – Proverbs 17:6 (KJV)

PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Grandchildren visit their grandparents in the Bruder Hof

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.premierchristianity.com/features/meet-the-bruderhof-our-exclusive-peek-inside-a-modern-christian-utopia/606.article]

Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers. – Proverbs 17:6 (KJV)

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://missionventureministries.wordpress.com/2019/06/20/for-a-father-to-think-about-proverbs-176/]

BLOG: https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/09/dawdi-haus-for-elderly-parents.html

BLOG: https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/10/grandfamilies-on-rise.html

"Grand-friends" can refer to either a term of endearment for grandparents or, more specifically, intergenerational programs that connect older adults with younger people, like the one in Unley, Australia, aimed at reducing loneliness and fostering friendships.

“We need old friends to help us grow old and new friends to help us stay young.” – Amish Proverb

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/notes--342695852908170043/]

As I have love for both grandparents and their grandchildren, I feel for them all. In other previous posts, I blogged about ‘GRANDFAMILIES ON THE RISE’ and ‘DAWDI HAUS FOR ELDERLY PARENTS’ – about kinship care and the Amish grandpa house respectively.

In this blog post, I will blog about grand-friends with a post from the Bruderhof FAQ and an article from the bluestem communities, with some photos and videos before giving my opinion. I will post quotes on elderly and children.

²⁴And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Bruderhof members in outdoor gathering.
Photo courtesy Bruderhof Historical Archives

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Bruderhof_Communities]

https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/02/sermons-on-hebrews-10-verse-24-to-25.html

FAQ for the Bruderhof: How are the sick, elderly and dying cared for at the Bruderhof?

Our communities are served by medical professionals (doctors, physician assistants, nurses, physical therapists, and dentists) who are members. We use the services of local hospitals and specialists for acute or difficult medical problems.

If someone has a long-term disability or illness, we pull together to give them the care they need within the community. This might mean ground floor accommodation, a hospital bed, or round-the-clock nursing care. Often an elderly couple or single person will form a small family unit with one or two younger people who can provide not only medical care but companionship and support as well.

Caring for one another is a privilege, and the benefits flow both ways – young people who have lived in a household with older people will tell you about lessons in humor, persistence, and humility that they’ve picked up in the process.

As for end-of-life care, although it can of course be emotionally and physically demanding, accompanying a brother or sister in their final days is one of the most meaningful experiences in communal life. The community rallies around the dying person: children visit to deliver cheerful drawings or sing songs, brothers and sisters stop by to take leave, and often the whole church community gathers to stand outside the window of the dying person, to pray and sing songs of faith and encouragement.

https://www.bruderhof.com/faqs

https://ifstudies.org/blog/5-questions-with-family-studies-johann-huleatt-on-what-we-can-learn-from-the-bruderhof-about-elder-care

Grandfriends at Timeless Wings

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/2019/05/11/daughters-love-changing-lives/1133344001/]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookdale_Senior_Living

Life and learning across generations

About six decades and very different life experiences separated the two women sitting next to each other in the Schowalter Villa lounge. One was a college student just beginning to explore the life that lay ahead of her, the other a health care resident reflecting on life lived to that point. Despite their obvious differences, the two found connection points as they shared about their college experiences, the places in which they grew up and their hobbies and interests.

“Intergenerational connections are important because the older you are, the more you’ve learned, and the more you learn, the more you have to share with those who haven’t had as much life experience,” said the Hesston College student, Josalyn Wipf. “I think the younger generation, or at least me personally, can miss the joy in the little things. I enjoy hearing the older generations’ stories of growth, sadness, love and college mishaps. There is so much value in listening to someone’s story and learning from them.”

The Arbors GrandFriends Program is an intergenerational program between Arbors residents and young children in the community. Local schools, youth groups, scout groups, temples and churches are some of the participating members of our GrandFriends Program. This inspiring program is designed to provide meaningful engagement with our seniors and children. Programs are geared towards bridging the gap between the two generations.

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://thearborsassistedliving.com/grandfriends-program/]

Bluestem Communities is intentional about fostering intergenerational experiences that bring life-giving connection and benefits for all parties. Each of Bluestem’s life plan communities – Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton and Schowalter Villa in Hesston – have the unique benefit of being located next door to colleges that offer connection points across the generations – Bethel College and Hesston College, respectively - and Schowalter Villa houses the Hesston Intergenerational Child Development Center. In addition, a number of high school and college students are employed by Bluestem Communities and connect with residents and participants regularly in their work. The campuses also host summer Junior Volunteer Programs for teenagers, and a variety of other connection points happen regularly with all ages throughout the wider community.

The Hesston Intergenerational Child Development Center, a community daycare that has had its home at Schowalter Villa since 2005, provides daily interaction between residents and children. The children lovingly call their resident companions “grand-friends.”

Brightwater Christian College students Violet and Noah lintroduce their grandfriend Sue Nott to the Monkey in the Chair - a special member of their classroom.

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://newcastleweekly.com.au/grandfriends-program-finding-success-in-morisset/]

“Intergenerational programs let adults be connected to young kids, which they may not have much opportunity for otherwise,” said Jill Moore, Schowalter Villa Life Enrichment Coordinator and Intergenerational Coordinator. “The adults benefit by doing things with children at their side that they wouldn’t do otherwise, and we see them all succeed and have fun.”

Some of the youngest children do morning exercises with assisted living residents, with the children mimicking their grand-friends touching their toes, raising their arms and more. The preschool-age children meet with grand-friends weekly for an organized activity such as balloon batting, parachute time, playing bells and target pitching. Both groups benefit from practicing brain and coordination skills, and the serotonin boost of spending time together.

A proud young Easter egg-hunter shows off his treasure to a group of Kidron Bethel Village residents. The campus collaborates with the local Parents as Teachers group to host the hunt on campus. Photo by Ashley Nesser.

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://bluestemcommunities.org/the-bluestem-post/summer-2024/life-and-learning-across-generations]

“Children like to receive compliments and attention from their grand-friends, see smiling faces and play games,” said Moore. “There is always lots of laughter and mutual learning.”

Residents who live at Bluestem Communities have a lifetime of experiences – both personal and professional - that they are able to share with the younger generations with whom they cross paths. Having close proximity and close relationships with their neighboring colleges allows for many unique opportunities for the generations to connect through classes, social interactions and more.

Bethel College business professor and chair of the Business Department, Dr. Allison McFarland, Ph.D., MBA, arranged for her Consumer Behavior class to meet weekly at Kidron Bethel Village with participation from Kidron Bethel Village residents.

African Proverb: A village without the elderly is like a well without water.

Meaning: What water is to a well, elders are to a society. And that's why a society without elders is like a well without water. We must honor our elders, not because they are always right. The fact is that they are not always right. We must respect them because it is the the right thing to do. You see, "to honor" is different from "to obey". Obedience, speaks more of what we do whereas honor speaks more of how we do it. We may not always need to obey our elders but we always need to honor them. That is to say, we must always seek to treat them with respect. It needs to be clarified though that our elders are not only those who are older than us. Our elders also include those above or ahead of us in authority, experience, training, knowledge, wisdom, talent and the like. But respect, like love, must not and in fact cannot be forced. The love forced from someone is no true love. And the respect forced from a person fails to be respect. Respect and love are acts of volition. When you truly respect someone, it's not based on the fear of what might happen to you if you don't respect. It is because you respect yourself. When you respect others you are actually showing your respect. The reason you don't respect others is because you don't respect yourself. Respect yourself and you will not need to respect others.

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/africanproverbspage/photos/african-proverb-a-village-without-the-elderly-is-like-a-well-without-watermeanin/4365244440215646/]

Korean Togolese? Asian African Polyglot | Language, Identity & Culture | Evolve Podcast with El Vato

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0Eo3Tup1S8&t=403s

https://youtu.be/A0Eo3Tup1S8?si=0Ll971cO1cFqnZB_

“The course looks at internal and external factors that influence the consumption of goods and services,” said McFarland. “Each week, students and Kidron Bethel participants utilize a research article focusing on a specific topic to guide their discussion. My goal has been to provide an opportunity for Bethel College business students to engage with consumers representing a different generation and to be able to call upon this experience later in their marketing careers.”

“In my career I taught business classes at several universities,” said Kidron Bethel Village resident Mel Voth. “I was excited about the opportunity to meet with the Bethel College business class because I longed for discussions with a younger generation of business students. Discussing various topics with a younger generation was interesting and informative to me. There is so much quality of life that is brought about only in involvement with younger individuals.”

In youth we learn; in age we understand. - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

German: In der Jugend lernt, im Alter versteht man.

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://x.com/LifeWithJohn/status/1485308936295264267 ....... https://x.com/LifeWithJohn/status/1485308936295264267/photo/1]

As witnessed through the smiles, laughter and captivated conversations, hearing about others’ experiences and opinions creates space for connection and understanding rather than making uninformed judgements about other generations.

“Intergenerational connections are important to me because I know I can learn a great amount from other generations, and I value the answers they give me,” said Kate Eichelberger, a Bethel College student in the Consumer Behaviors class. “I am extremely grateful to be presented with the opportunity to connect with the Kidron Bethel Village residents, and it is one of the highlights of my Bethel College experience.”

https://bluestemcommunities.org/the-bluestem-post/summer-2024/life-and-learning-across-generations

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. – Proverbs 17:6 (ESV)

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.kcisradio.com/blog/daily-verse-proverbs-176/]

I will first post this video of an example of a grandfriends program:

Why intergenerational centers could be a housing solution for aging adults

InvestigateTV

Dec 24, 2024

This solution involves bringing the elderly and the young together under one roof combining services such as nursing homes and daycare centers.

VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZD5m7_EtMY

https://youtu.be/_ZD5m7_EtMY?si=_n6DTr9kN603odvW

“Be united with other Christians. A wall with loose bricks is no good. The bricks must be cemented together.”

– Corrie Ten Boom

PHOTO CAPTION: Amish Community at a music community.

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.aol.com/across-country-amish-populations-rise-143000354.html]

https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/02/grand-friends-program-are-awesome.html

MY THOUGHTS:

Before I give my thoughts, let me explain the differences between Grandfamilies and grand-friends. Grandfamilies refers to situations where grandparents are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren, while grand-friends are individuals who, although not biological grandparents, fill a similar role in a child's life, often as a source of support and connection.

The Amish (and also Conservative Mennonites) have the Dawdy Haus AKA Grandpa House for their elderly parents. The Hutterites (Bruderhof) who live together care for the elderly as though the children there have three roles: grandchildren, grandfamilies and grand-friends. As mention above in the Bruderhof FAQ:

Caring for one another is a privilege, and the benefits flow both ways – young people who have lived in a household with older people will tell you about lessons in humor, persistence, and humility that they’ve picked up in the process.

I strongly support the idea of mixing the old and the young together. Grand-friends are similar to those living in the Bruderhof where they help one another, through fellowship and it helps to prevent loneliness.

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. – Psalm 127:3 (NASB)

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=942438447928075&set=a.563324335839490]

Here is a segment from the The Arbors Grand-friends Program:

There have been studies that show there are real health benefits from seniors spending time with young children, showing cognitive and memory improvements. Below is a list of the benefits the GrandFriends Program has on the children as well as the seniors.

Benefit for children

· Increased self-esteem and self-worth

· Improved behavior

· Increased involvement in schoolwork

· Improved reading scores

· Appreciation for older people

· Enhanced sense of belonging in their communities

Benefits for older adults

· Improved health, and fewer falls among older adults

· More positive effect among older adults with dementia

· Increased connectedness and less isolation

· Enhanced feelings of self-worth

· Learn about new technology and innovations

https://thearborsassistedliving.com/grandfriends-program/

I will close with this African Proverb:

AFRICAN PROVERB: The old woman looks after the child to grow it’s teeth and the young one in turn looks after the old woman when she loses her teeth.

MEANING/EXPLANATION
The proverb points out the fact that when people grow very old, they become children again. But deeper than that it tells us that it is the seed we sow in the morning of our lives, and cultivate in the afternoon of our lives that will bear fruit for us to enjoy in the evening of our lives. The Chinese have a proverb that says, "If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years educate children." A child in the context of the proverb means an offspring. Now, the word 'offspring' means more than a biological child. It has two root words 'off' and 'spring'. So offspring is whatever causes you to spring off to a certain level. That is, your investment. What kind of investment are you making in life. Your present investment will secure your future and your future dividends will reward your present sacrifices. There is no better and secure investments like education. I'm not talking about school. There is a subtle difference between education and schooling even though some use them interchangeably. Schooling teaches you about the nature of life, but education teaches you about the meaning of life. Don't let your schooling get in the way of your education. Be educated! #TagAFriendToReadThis #GhanaianProverb

County’s Proverb : #Ghana

Writer: D.O THOMPSON

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1856041767802605&set=a.886048424801949]

https://www.thecommongood.org.au/news/grandfriends-the-life-changing-ageless-play-program-in-brisbane/

https://newcastleweekly.com.au/grandfriends-program-finding-success-in-morisset/

https://thearborsassistedliving.com/grandfriends-program/

Horse and buggy with John & Naomi, the ‘New Order Amish’ couple that befriended us two days earlier and introduced us to their daughter Ruth’s family.

[PHOTO SOURCE: http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2009/08/17/amish-encounters-no-3-%E2%80%93-sunday-worship-with-amish-mennonites/]

OTHER BLOG LINKS:

https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/09/dawdi-haus-for-elderly-parents.html

https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/10/grandfamilies-on-rise.html

https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/02/sermons-on-hebrews-10-verse-24-to-25.html

https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/10/amish-baby-boom-part-1-proverbs-about.html

OTHER LINKS:

https://gohsonline.com/4932/opinion/the-truth-about-the-amish/

YELADIM LINKS:

Children - An Israeli OBSESSION (no happy ending here)

travelingisrael.com

390K subscribers

193,045 views Feb 26, 2023

Israeli society is obsessed with children. In this video, I will show you an Israeli city where the average number of children per woman is 7.2. I will then touch on the political, historical, and religious aspects behind this high number. www.travelingisrael.com

0:00 - Intro

0:20 - children per woman in Israel

6:28 - Modi’in Illit

VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqpik0ehimo