By Alex Sotiropoulos, Communications Assistant, NS GovLab
Throughout the process of NS GovLab, fellows have been working on complex issues of current systems that need to be redesigned for the future (learn about the teams and the issues they are working on).
During sessions and group discussion, intergenerational solutions has become a prevalent term. The teams have been working towards creating solutions that benefit all Nova Scotians.
One fellow expressed her concern with systems that are targeted with regard to only one demographic in communities. She believes that this causes rifts in communities and required is a shift in thinking. Currently, society lives in a “me” rather than a “we” community that causes disconnection amongst generations. A “thinking shift” in communities would be inclusive of all demographics and encourage connections.
The same fellow witnessed benches that were placed in parks in her community for seniors. She said it is unfair to say the benches were for seniors and they would be the only ones to make use of them. Generation shouldn’t infer who can use and benefit from a park bench. These moments encourage the “me” community mindset.
By labelling projects for individual demographics, people are getting isolated. To address issues facing seniors, inclusion is required. One fellow said we must create a “societal shift” to re-engage seniors with younger generations to build relationships.
Fellows sharing their thoughts on challenges facing seniors in Nova Scotia.
There has been a concern amongst the fellows that “seniors” has become too broad of a term and subgroups need to be identified. These subgroups have had different life experiences and ways of thinking.
One fellow expressed that she and her mother would be both considered seniors but have dissimilar needs from current systems in place. She said she can use the internet and is comfortable with a computer, but her 90-year-old mother has never used one. She struggles with the thought that both are considered seniors with similar characteristics placed on them by society when they are very different.
A fellow expressed that these subgroups have been through different life experiences and cause them to think differently. She spoke with a senior that experienced the financial depression and wasn’t comfortable donating in fear of a reoccurrence of the event. She compared this experience to a senior in her sub-group in their 60’s that didn’t live that experience, making them more comfortable donating without a tangible good in return.
Thinking-out-loud with different generations causes new ways of thinking. Ideas bounce off one another and there becomes a shift in thinking. By speaking with users, previously unknown insight can be brought about to create innovative prototypes.
Keep up-to-date by following us on Medium and on Twitter (@NSGovLab).
