In Germany, a scheme that roughly translates as 'adopt a grandparent' has been running with great success. It pairs older people with children who may not have or see grandparents of their own.
Self-study activity:
Watch the video and answer the questions below about it.
The activity is suitable for intermediate 1 and intermediate 2 students.
1 What are the main advantages of the scheme for Paul?
2 What does 'three' refer to?
3 What does Therese do every Monday right after school?
4 What is the main reason why older people get involved in this scheme?
5 What are the benefits of the scheme for older people?
6 What are the two problems of the scheme that are mentioned?
7 Why did Therese's mother decide to join the scheme?
Ten-year old Therese goes for a cycle ride with her grandparents. Well, sort of. Paul and Charlotte are actually her adopted grandparents, part of a scheme to link young families with older couples who want grandchildren.
If you look at other older people, they’re just sitting in front of the television whereas I have this lively relationship. It gives me something to do (1), and when Therese is drawing a picture, and she draws three hearts and Paul, my name, is in one of them, that really touches me.
80-year-old Paul and his wife have been helping raise Therese since she was three (2). As well as cycling as gymnastics they taught her to swim and take her on holiday, acting like any loving grandparents.
Every Monday Charlotte meets me after school and we go swimming (3). Then we go home and have some food. After, I can either go home or stay the night with Charlotte and Paul.
The older people that get involved in the scheme are often driven by a desire to have children involved in their lives (4).
With an ever growing number of fit and healthy retired people, this scheme allows German pensioners to remain active to contribute, to feel valued even, as well as of course providing essential support to the young families they help (5).
There have however been problems. Relationships are broken down and two pedophiles have got past the checking procedures (6) over the scheme’s 25-year history. But the project remains popular, with positive feedback.
A lot of the grandparents say they feel much better, they’ve got something to do, it helps them with their health, it also helps them to better understand young people.
Back at the cycle park, Therese’s mother has joined Paul and Charlotte. Their help in raising her daughter, she says, has been invaluable.
I wanted to have a couple, and an older couple for, for Therese because that is normal I think to have parents and to have… grandparents and my, my parents are far away from Berlin (7).
A true bond has been developed between these one-time strangers, providing both young and old much needed friendship and support.
Michael Buchanan, BBC News, Berlin
