Older adults add value to our lives in many ways.  Most people think of value in monetary terms, and while it is true that older adults contribute tremendously to the economy, we prefer to focus on the inherent aspects of humanity that elders give us.  By this we mean that elders provide us with a lifetime of experience and wisdom from which we can profit in immeasurable ways. 

One of the ways in which we are helping a younger generation to benefit from the knowledge and experience of our elders is the "From Generation to Generation" project that Erica Britton has written about below.  We are attempting in some small way during Older Americans Month to help some of our clients to express their legacy in their own words to community youth. 

We have asked some of our clients and friends to share some of their wisdom, here is a sample of what we learned:

• One of my favorite people was fond of saying that we are “all unique, just like
  everyone else.”
• My father used to tell us how important the dash on a gravestone is because it represents everything that happened during that person’s life.
• On a similar note, one of our clients tells us that we are “only as rich as our life experiences.” So, we need to savor every moment and every person.
• The cheapest commodity in the world will also get you the most in life: a smile, according to the mother of one of our elder clients, who has lived her life according to this belief.
• Another member of this same family told us that “becoming known as a caring person is the way to the greatest success.”
• Some of our clients share their sense of humor with us. During an assessment an older woman was asked how her sense of taste is, and after a moment of thought stated, “It’s good. When I taste something I don’t like I don’t eat it!”
• One client told us that even during hard times, it is important to remember that we are still more fortunate than many other people.
• And finally, a woman who has suffered many losses and trials in her life reports that life is precious enough that each day brings a new opportunity for joy, even in the face of sorrow.