There was more than just wind and snow in the air on a blustery March morning, as the residents climbed aboard the bus departing from United Garrison Green to Mount Royal University—there was just a whiff of déjà vu, too.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to class,” joked George as they settled into their seats in the classroom. Garrison Green residents George, Norma, and Barb joined MRU psychology students for a ‘Psychology of Aging’ seminar—an open discussion between students and residents led by instructor Dr. Rose Joudi.  

Dr. Joudi came prepared with a selection of talking points, but as it turned out, there was no need—everyone in the room was fully engaged in a lively conversation without so much as a prompt.

From campus to community

For the students, their curiosity was piqued with questions ranging from – “How does it feel to age?” (Mentally: not much has changed. Physically: a lot has changed), to “What was your favourite fashion trend growing up?” (Poodle skirts and saddle shoes), and everything in between.

Barb shared her love of dancing to the Everly Brothers at sock hops. The students shared that they sometimes struggled to connect with their generation off-screen, and sometimes wished for more opportunities to engage in person with their peers. Residents marveled at how busy the students are with school, part time jobs, and volunteering.

For the students and residents alike, open and candid conversation came naturally. Despite the obvious age gaps, they had more in common then they may have initially thought: as the conversation unfolded, it became apparent that the need for connection spanned generations—everyone expressed the desire to connect in person with their peers and fellow community members, regardless of their age and background.

Wisdom 101‍

As the conversation progressed, a lot of ground was covered, but a few key highlights from the session gave insight into the differences and similarities between the two groups.

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What is a trend that exists now that you wish was around when you were younger?

• Norma and George: Smaller classrooms, with engaging conversations, rather than just lectures in a large hall.
• Barb: Better opportunities for women. We were limited by what we could study: mostly nursing, teaching, and home economics.
• Norma: I wish we could have dressed casually for school! We had to dress up every day, even down to stockings and girdles. (note: the students were very grateful for the shift in dress code after learning what a girdle was)

What are your thoughts on new technology and artificial intelligence?

• Norma: I’m a little afraid of AI, if I’m honest. I think it is great for medical research, but I don’t want robots to take over everything in our daily life.
• Barb: I don’t always know how to keep up to date on new technology—I have concerns about robocalls and scams.

What did you do for fun growing up?

• George: the same thing you do—hang out with friends.
• Barb: I worked and lived in Banff over the summers, we danced the night away.
• Norma: I still remember the lyrics to songs we listened to when we were young.

How do you feel about the quality of life now? Are things better or worse?

• Barb: I think it’s about the same. We lived during the war, we lost lots of family members, and our food was rationed. Our parents were still reeling from the trauma of the Great Depression.
• Norma: There was the cold war threat, and we were often concerned about money. I completely understand your concerns about the world today—we feel it too.
• George: We all felt the stress of the world, but like now, some felt it more than others.

What about respect for adults, compared to your parents? Do you feel valued?

• Norma: Children were meant to be seen, not heard. We HAD to sit quietly and respect our elders.
• Barb: I think we are treated very well as older adults, but I think manners in general aren’t as important to people.

A lesson in empathy

Overall, the experience was enlightening for all the participants, sitting down together brought new opportunities for everyone to reflect and be inspired by one another.

“Spending time with younger people keeps us sharp,” says Norma, “We learn new language, we find ways to connect with each other.” George agrees, “I really like connecting with students—we have great conversations, they are genuinely curious! We can talk about almost anything with each other.”

Studies show that intergenerational connection is beneficial to everyone regardless of their age. The bonding between people outside of their peer group leads to improved mental wellness outcomes for those at heightened risk of isolation—especially older adults. For those experiencing loss at a high rate, the opportunity to forge meaningful relationships provides tangible benefits to their mental and physical well-being.

"There is no doubt that as a community, we thrive when we live, learn, and connect with people of all ages,” says Dr. Joudi. “Intergenerational relationships are a gift to everyone, offering much more than companionship; they provide a sense of belonging, support, and shared wisdom. For older adults, these connections ease the isolation that often accompanies loss, while nurturing mental and physical well-being. For young people, building meaningful relationships with older generations cultivates empathy, compassion, and a stronger sense of community, breaking down barriers of misunderstanding and isolation. True change happens when we intentionally bridge generational gaps and embrace the richness of diverse perspectives."

Rimi Roshid, a psychology student at MRU, attended the class and found the experience uplifting: "Taking Dr. Joudi’s course has completely transformed how I understand aging. Learning about the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging by having the privilege to connect with residents at Garrison Green challenged every stereotype I had.” Rimi continues, “I realized aging isn’t just about facing obstacles. It’s also about the resilience and contributions that follow. Meeting residents was a powerful and eye-opening experience that brought me comfort in my own aging journey."

The living curriculum

As the session drew to a close, the students asked one final question—what advice do you have for us?

Barb summarized her thoughts: “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to keep your mind open. You can use your training and expertise in ways you never imagined. Stay open to learning—things can change so quickly, and you might find yourself feeling obsolete if you don’t change too.”

George adds, “It’s okay to change your mind—over the many phases of your life, you will encounter the unexpected: don’t give up, just keep moving.”

Back on the bus, the weather hadn’t shifted, but the mood was uplifting—as the residents headed back to Garrison Green, they chatted amongst themselves, already hoping to sit in on another session, with Norma quipping “School is so much fun when there’s no homework!”

Stop by United to see how we partner with local organizations like Mount Royal University to keep residents at the head of the class—no textbooks required!

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