Austin Prep Interact Club members joined residents at The Residence at Pearl Street for an afternoon of puzzles, strategy, and friendly competition
Reading, MA — Students from the Austin Preparatory School Interact Club in Reading partnered with local seniors from The Residence at Pearl Street for puzzles and a board game competition.
Students were divided among eight tables, with different games and activities at each. The games offered opportunities for residents and students alike to learn from one another. One resident at Pearl Street is a professional Rumikub player, and was stunned when he was defeated by a student who had just learned to play.
“These students are kind, caring, and incredibly competitive! There is nothing like a high-stakes board game to bring the generations together. Whether we’re swapping stories or strategies, we’re all learning something new from one another,” said Beverly Curry, Resident Engagement Director at The Residence at Pearl Street.
Intergenerational events like this are proven to reduce loneliness and cognitive decline among seniors. One study also highlighted the pro-social behaviors fostered by board games.
