 Home | Recent News | Fulton | Residents, Area Children | Printme 16 Dec 2006 Residents, area children learn about each other and that fun is ageless during the year The intergenerational programs at Presbyterian Manor in Fulton kick into high gear with the approach of the holiday season. In addition to being fun, these programs also give seniors a way to contribute their most valuable asset to the next generation – their life experiences. Research shows that today’s seniors view retirement as a “mid-life” event. They want to continue active lifestyles and remain vital members of their communities. The Manor programs create such opportunities by including youth ranging from preschoolers to college students. At Halloween, residents collaborate with children from Bright Beginning Preschool and Fulton Preschool to cook up a lot of fun. Bright Beginning children traditionally share a Halloween costume party with Manor residents that includes lots of treats and even song and dance. Manor residents and staff prepare bags of candy for an open house trick or treat by Fulton Preschoolers, who go door-to-door in the Manor collecting treats. Resident Anne Graham said she enjoys spending time with the children throughout the school year because, “It brings back a lot of good memories. It’s a wonderful program.” Agnes Gerling enjoys the performances by the children and “that they take the time to come spend time with us, and treat us with respect and we also treat them the same way.” Their spontaneity is engaging, said Betty Rudkin, who added, “You never know what they are going to say or do. They are just so cute.” The activities help Rudkin fill her desire to be with people. “I’m a people person,” she said. Residents and preschool children also share special times in December. One of those special times has become a holiday tradition. Fulton Preschool children and residents work together to create and decorate gingerbread houses before Christmas. “The residents and children always look forward to this time together, eating the decorations as much as decorating their houses,” said Donna Ballard, Manor activities director. Ballard said several groups from local colleges also spend time at the Manor throughout the year, either doing activities with residents or just visiting. “We have groups from both William Woods and Westminster College,” said Ballard. “When we schedule our activities with our friends, our programs usually run for an hour. This gives the residents and visitors more of an opportunity to spend time together and be able to visit with each other.” Students usually come as groups representing their sororities or fraternities or an athletic team. Ballard said college groups have ranged in size from six to 18 students. “Besides doing activities with residents, at times they will just go and visit with residents on a one to one basis,” she said.
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