One of the best ways to “Flip the Script” is to really get to know the older adults in your community. Conversations, especially intergenerational conversations, are great ways to explore differences and promote deep appreciation of others who might be reading from a different script than what you normally do.
Here are some ideas for how you could bring folks together for meaningful conversations:
- Reach out to your local senior center and see if you could organize an afternoon of story sharing.
- Contact a local school and see if they would like to host a “Senior Day”.
- Visit an assisted living center and chat with residents in the common areas.
- Volunteer to deliver Meals-on-Wheels with your children and connect with the seniors you serve.
Starting the conversation may be the hardest part of this. But we’ve got a list of great questions to break the ice.
- What was the happiest moment of your life?
- Who has been the biggest influence on your life and what lessons did you learn from them?
- What are you proudest of in your life – and why?
- What was it like where you grew up?
- What stories did your parents share with you about their childhood or upbringing? How did that make you feel?
If you want more ideas, visit StoryCorps.org
