We’ve all heard the adage, “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” I’ve never found this more accurate than working with senior adults. Some may look frail, but they are full of the richest wisdom, sharpest wit, and most profound relationships I’ve ever seen. It’s no surprise, then, that senior adults should be at the top of the list for anyone looking for a mentor. Be it a specific skill, career direction, or general life advice, senior adults have so much to offer.
However, the benefits of senior mentorship go both ways. Being a part of the Buckner Retirement Community by connecting with a senior mentor can benefit you immensely. If you are searching for a senior mentorship, call Buckner Retirement Services at 214.227.7182, and we will help you get the information you need.
Benefits of a Senior Mentorship
When you connect with a senior mentor, you will immediately notice that this will be the start of a valuable relationship—building a relationship with someone who has different life experiences than you can be eye-opening and affirming. You will learn more about yourself, your goals, and how you can work to achieve them. A senior mentor can introduce you to new hobbies, thoughts, books, and anything that has enriched their life can also become a part of yours. Other benefits of a senior mentor include:
- A seasoned sounding board–With years of experience, your senior mentor can provide you with invaluable advice. They can help you work through big and small problems and be there to listen when you need to vent.
- A different perspective–It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day and lose sight of the bigger picture. A senior mentor can help you see things differently and offer fresh insights.
- A cheerleader in your corner–Everyone needs encouragement and support, especially when pursuing big goals. With a senior mentor in your corner, you will always have someone rooting for your success.
- Life’s bigger picture–Senior adults have a lifetime of experiences from which to draw. Unlike any other mentor-mentee relationship, they better understand life’s bigger picture.
How to Get Started with a Senior Mentor
The first step in getting started with a senior mentor is finding someone you can connect with. This can be someone you know personally or someone you meet through an organization like Buckner Retirement Services. Once you have found someone, the best way to start is simply by talking to them.
Talk about your experiences, goals, and anything else on your mind. Listen to their stories and get to know them as a person. From there, you can begin to ask for advice and guidance when needed. Remember, the key to a successful mentorship is communication. The more you communicate with your mentor, the more you will get out of the relationship.
We are committed to helping seniors live their best lives at Buckner Retirement Services. We offer a variety of programs and services designed to help seniors stay active and engaged in their communities. For more information about our senior mentorship program, call us at [direct]
What You Have to Offer to a Senior Mentorship
There is plenty of things that you have to offer to your senior mentor, such as:
- A sense of purpose–Older adults often feel like they have nothing to contribute to society after retirement. Giving them a sense of purpose can add years to their life.
- Intellectual stimulation–An intentional relationship like mentoring gives older adults something to think about and plan for, much like they would for a job.
- A renewal of faith in the future–Older generations can fall into the habit of thinking that all “kids” are lazy. However, meeting a young person motivated to learn something can correct those stereotypes and give hope.
- An identity outside of family and friends–To be in a mentor relationship where you are no longer “so-and-so’s grandmother” or “Mr. So-and-so’s widow” but are known simply as yourself helps with self-esteem.
Above all, the most significant benefit of mentorship for both sides is the breaking down stereotypes. It may be human nature to put people in cubby holes and assume that a 90-year-old behaves one way while a 15-year-old behaves another. However, we have more in common with one another than we think. The best way to find out just how much is by building relationships.
Find a Senior Mentor at Buckner Retirement Services
A senior mentorship could be one of the best decisions you could make. It’ll be a relationship that could benefit both parties, like developing new skills, building positive relationships, and so much more. To connect with a senior mentor at Buckner Retirement Services, call us at 214.227.7182, and we’ll be happy to assist you.