Aid the Elderly
As people get older, their lives change.
In some ways it’s wonderful. In other ways, it can be difficult.
Families grow up and move away, which can leave some older adults on their own to do tasks that once seemed easy. In many ways, seniors are just like you, only older. And just like you, sometimes they need a little extra help and someone to keep them company.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Check out our Activity Finder to find ways to help near you or projects you can do from home.
Create an account so you can favorite activities and track your impact.
Keep reading to learn about facts, how you can help, our nonprofit partners, recommended books to read, additional resources, and lesson plans.
Did you know…
~47 million seniors are in the U.S.
26% of older women live completely alone
Only 3% of seniors live in a nursing facility. The rest are figuring things out at home.
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How can you help?
It can be intimidating to spend time with someone much older than you. But you’ll soon find out how much you can both help each other. If the linked activities aren’t available in your area, use them as inspiration for how you can help someone where you are.
- Go grocery shopping. For some seniors, going to the grocery store on a regular basis can be a challenge. Offer a ride or volunteer to make a trip to a senior in need. Start shopping.
- Help them celebrate. No one wants to spend their birthday alone. Make a card and give a little gift of essential toiletry items to make a senior’s special day brighter. Learn more.
- Play a game. Checkers. Chess. Scrabble. Playing a game with a senior will provide you both with some brain fitness and fun. Get to playing.
- Teach them technology. Just like you need extra help learning something new, so do older adults. Some of today’s essential technologies that are easy to you are new to seniors. Want to be a tech tutor?
- Find a cause you love. Pick an issue or project in your community that speaks to you – and speak up. Start your search now.
Our Nonprofit Partners
These are just some of the inspiring partners we work with to aid the elderly:
Boston
They help seniors stay independent and live at home as long as possible with in-home and community services.
Los Angeles
They make home-cooked meals for seniors and deliver them to their homes. It’s more than a meal, though; it’s a smile and friendly hello, too.
The Bay Area
They help older adults in the San Francisco Bay Area access resources and programs to help them connect to their community and stay as independent as possible.
The Bay Area
This partner brings adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s together with toddlers for fun daytime activities. They offer volunteer opportunities for people ages 15+.
Recommended Reading List
Want to help older adults in your community? Start by learning about them and seeing life from their point of view. As an Amazon Associate Project Giving Kids earns a small commission from qualifying purchases. *
Elementary
Middle School
by Kazumi Yumoto
by Valerie Hobbs
by Cynthia Voigt
by Eth Clifford
High School
by Fredrik Backman
by Richard Peck
by Sharon Creech
Additional Online Resources
Interested in learning more? Check out these organizations and their websites for more information!
Kids Help Older Adults Live Longer
In 2018, CNN published an article about how kids can improve the quality of life for older adults just by spending time with them. Read it now.
5 Ways You Can Change a Senior’s Life
Not sure how to spend time with your senior family members and neighbors? Get some ideas.
Bridges Together
Looking for resources to help facilitate intergenerational discussion and provide support to those efforts? Explore some options here.
*The books, websites, charities, and/or other entities we share does not imply explicit endorsement by PGK, nor does PGK have any responsibility for the content provided by other organizations or websites. Content on this site is provided for informational purposes only.
Educational Materials
Teachers and parents can teach kids about helping animals in the classroom or at home with our educational materials.
Choose the grade level below to find a lesson plan.
Elementary School Lesson Plan
Overview
This lesson will focus on the challenges people face as they age and experience lifestyle changes. Students will discuss how the elderly often lose functionality in their bodies and minds, resulting in the need for assistance with everyday tasks whether living at home or in a care facility. Students will reflect on ways to help elderly people in their lives and in their community.
Objectives
- Students will learn about the needs of elderly residents in their community
- Students will reflect on ways to aid the elderly and complete a project to demonstrate their understanding
Middle School Lesson Plan
Overview
This lesson will focus on ageist stereotypes of the elderly. Students will discuss where negative stereotypes of the elderly originate and how to instill positive attitudes toward the aging population. Students will think about ways to connect with elderly people to promote mutually respectful and beneficial intergenerational relationships.
Objectives
- Students will discuss ageism and stereotypes of the elderly
- Students will determine ways to create positive views of the elderly
- Students will complete a project focused on forming connections with the elderly
High School Lesson Plan
Overview
Our aging population is continuing to grow. This lesson will focus on the challenges elderly people face and innovative ways to help them adapt to lifestyle changes. Students will explore ways to help seniors use technology to get assistance living at home, improve their lives, and stay connected to family and friends.
Objectives
- Students will focus on challenges the growing elderly population face
- Students will explore how technology can improve the quality of life for the elderly by helping them physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally
- Students will explore ways to aid the elderly residents in their community using various types of technology