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For too many years children and the elderly have been often left in the hands of those who have little time to spend with them as individuals. I've seen the starvation for affirmation in both. As a nurse's aide I saw that many of the elderly carried a baby doll or stuffed animal all the time, much like a child clings to a security blanket. Both need affection and reassurance that sometimes the caregiver can't spare the time for. They both could use those long lingering hugs that tell them they matter.

As adults we tend to patronize both of them. We accuse them of imaging things when what they tell us seems to be unbelievable. A young child looks up to the elderly person as someone wise and understanding. When the older person responds to them without criticism or disbelief and really listens a child feels their opinion matters. In turn the elderly person sees there is a purpose for their life beyond waiting for the end.

My father in law was in some of the worse battles of WW II yet his records were lost in a fire. We thought they were lost forever. Yet one day we mentioned to our nephew about what had happened to "Pa's" records. To our astonishment he knew every detail simply because he had listened all those times that "Pa" had brought them up and had asked more questions later. Thanks to that information we were able to discover he had been a war hero that had never been honored.

Though an elderly person may not be able to physically play with the children they often can still do simple tasks like reading, working puzzles with large pieces or just simply giving a child their undivided attention. Anyone who has ever worked around both see what a difference it makes in their whole attitude. Many elderly live in a constant state of depression feeling they have nothing left to give the world. The only time some are ever lifted out of their depression is when they are spending time with little ones.

Way too often we hear stories of abuse and try to protect our children so much they are denied what they need most. Combining the two doesn't mean the elderly and/or disabled will be taking care of the children. It simply means both will get more than just basic needs met. They'll receive and give love to another human being. Any dangers are so remote as to be less than driving your car to pick them up or drop them off. The rewards so great that it seems a sin to deny them.

Learn more about this author, Sylvia Morrison.
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