Ofelia Alayón is the Head of Partnerships at Adopt a Grandparenta project started by Alberto Cabanes in 2013 that aims to unite members of different generations.
Their mission, as they explain, rests on three pillars: "to pay tribute to the elderly people and position them in the place they deserve; create transformative experiences that are a turning point in people's lives; and develop the technology needed to connect generations anywhere in the world".
In this interview with Omnes, Ofelia explains the origin of the project, the impact it has had on those involved throughout these 12 years and the future vision of Adopt a Grandparent.
How was the idea of connecting young people with older people born?
-The initiative of Adopt a Grandparent began in 2013 when Alberto Cabanes, the founder, met Bernardo, an 86-year-old man, widowed and without descendants, a friend of his grandfather, who confessed his greatest wish: to have a grandchild to spend time with him.
This encounter inspired Alberto to create a platform that would connect young volunteers with elderly people, with the aim of making them feel heard, accompanied and loved, and giving them in some way "a grandchild". What started as a simple idea gradually took shape to become an initiative that, day by day, transforms the lives of thousands of elderly people and volunteers.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced on the road to founding and growing the organization?
-One of the main challenges has been to raise awareness about the unwanted loneliness of the elderly. It is a reality that affects many, but remains largely invisible and, consequently, does not receive the attention it deserves. Because this problem is not talked about enough, society is not always aware of its magnitude, nor of how it can contribute to change it. That is why we want to give voice to this situation and invite everyone who can, to participate.
In addition, the growth of the organization has required a great capacity to adapt, from the logistics and coordination of volunteers, equipment and residences, to the implementation of technological advances.
What kind of impact have you observed in the lives of grandparents and youth participating in the program?
-Over time, we have observed that the impact is immense for both the elderly and the volunteers. For the elderly, the simple fact of feeling listened to and accompanied makes them experience an improvement in their emotional well-being, feeling more valued and decreasing their sense of loneliness.
For the young volunteers it is also a transformative experience: they develop empathy and respect, and learn life experiences. Many of the volunteers have told us that this experience has changed their perspective on old age and the importance of being accompanied and not feeling alone.
How do you select the seniors who will benefit from the program? What criteria are important to ensure a meaningful connection?
-At Adopt a Grandparent We collaborate with more than 400 nursing homes and day centers to identify and assist seniors who want and need to participate in the project. Different factors are considered, such as their willingness to talk to young people, their desire for activities and their need for companionship.
To ensure that there are real connections, we analyze interests, personalities and affinities between grandparents and youth, seeking to make the relationship flow in a natural way and make them feel at home. match. In addition, we always follow up to make sure that the experience is good for both parties.
What strategies do you use Adopt a Grandparent to maintain the active participation of young people in the long term?
-The young people who participate are usually very committed, so, in general, we have no difficulty in maintaining their active participation. Even so, we understand that each person has his or her own responsibilities, schedules and routines. That's why we want volunteering to be an enriching experience, never an obligation.
We always offer different modalities so that each volunteer can choose the one that best suits their lifestyle. They can make face-to-face visits, make phone calls through our application and adjust the meetings according to their availability of times and days. In addition, we also organize activities and events that add a lot of value to the volunteer experience, creating a greater sense of community and belonging among participants.
To what extent do you think society has changed in terms of the perception of aging and the importance of intergenerational connection?
-In recent years, we have seen an increased awareness of the importance of integrating the elderly into society and the importance of companionship. Initiatives that promote intergenerational connection have gained recognition, creating a positive change in the perception of old age. There is growing awareness of unwanted loneliness.
The difference between generations can be a challenge because of different lifestyles, digitalization or different ways of communicating, but we also know that if you organize it well, it can serve as a mutual learning experience. Many of our experiences have shown that young people are willing to invest their time in their elders, it's just that sometimes, they need an initiative to help them do so.
Taking into account the state of the population pyramid, what is your vision for the future of the organization?
-Spain is one of the countries with the oldest population and this will continue to increase over the years. This implies a greater need for our services, so our idea is to continue to grow, both nationally and internationally. We consider it essential to strengthen and expand programs that promote the connection between generations, to help the elderly but also the young.
We want you to Adopt a Grandparent to be a support network that contributes to improving the quality of life of the elderly so that they do not feel alone, and that at the same time fosters values of solidarity and respect in the new generations.
