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ASK THE EXPERT 47
eight decades apart can be fascinating for both
parties. Members of a group of young per-
formers who live with disabilities commented
that they felt something new – completely
unconditional love – from nursing home
residents they had the opportunity to interact
with. It’s amazing to see elders positively light
up when they’re in a room with young people.
on non-screen activities are more likely to Tidewater Arts Outreach offers classes to help
be happy.” children, teens and young adults understand
why it’s important to incorporate serving
Finally, the findings suggest: elders into their lives. TAO teaches about
Put down the phone, turn off the laptop, and empathy and the aging process, what to say/
do something — anything — that doesn’t what not to say, how to handle certain situ-
involve a screen.
ations and conversations, why it’s good to
Our solution: Pair teens with elders and lead have an intermediary adult around, and much
them in creating something together. This more. Kids’ eyes and hearts are opened; they
can be in the form of singing, dancing (with embrace this unique opportunity. Hearts are
appropriate safety considerations in mind), lifted, people are inspired, bonds are forged
or creating songs, stories or poetry together. and new insights are formed. The arts can
Teens and elders can be paired off for visual heal and build community in marvelous
arts workshops and create art side-by-side, or ways. Once a favorable environment has been
participate in teambuilding exercises based on created, it’s wonderful to see the processes of
the dynamic arts genres of drama and improv. creative engagement and inter-generational
We use the arts to help bridge the gaps which socialization unfold. The results of TAO’s
exist between generations, cultures, educa- inter-generational arts programs have been
tional and socio-economic levels. Meaningful extremely positive – our survey scores bear
conversations about who we are, where we’re this evidence. Let’s continue making these
from, and what matters most to us, consistent- promises come true, and create enduring
ly emerge from arts engagement. Arts can also change in our culture – together!
level the playing field, bypassing weaknesses
and enhancing people’s strengths. We know
of one elder who took up painting after his
dementia diagnosis, and went on to become
quite a proficient artist. And we know of
numerous elders who, although they can no
longer speak well, still enjoy singing the songs
of their youth.
Elders and young children love the attention
each affords the other. And teenagers are often
quite surprised by how good it feels to receive MaryAnn Toboz
and give the gift Tidewater Arts Outreach
757.965.515
of undivided attentiveness. Encounters MaryAnn@TidewaterArtsOutreach.org
between human beings who are six, seven or www.TidewaterArtsOutreach.org