For any Age- and Dementia Friendly Community advocating for intergenerational shared spaces and programming, a new report called “All In Together: Creating Spaces Where Young and Old Thrive” by Generations United and The Eisner Foundation provides some useful tools and examples from across the country.

The report includes the results of a survey conducted with The Ohio State University established a new national baseline of shared sites as well as a poll that examines public knowledge and views of shared sites. A notable revelation is how the vast majority of Americans believe intergenerational interactions can address loneliness and isolation and that older adults and children and youth can provide significant support to address
each other’s needs. However, only about one-quarter of Americans are aware of  intergenerational shared sites in their communities.

Shared Site Programs – for purposes of this report – are defined as one or more organizations delivering services generally to unrelated younger people, usually 24 and under, and older adults, typically over 50, at the same location, such as a building, campus or neighboring buildings. Some shared sites may also serve adults and families.

In Massachusetts, many schools are co-located with councils on aging or have dedicated intergenerational programming. For a broader list of intergenerational programs in the state, see this database from Generations United.