Celebrating — and supporting — grandparents on a day just for them

For some families, the COVID-19 pandemic has separated grandparents from their grandchildren, making it difficult to be there for some of life’s biggest moments and milestones. And sometimes, it’s not even the big occasions, but the everyday memories — such as reading a story together or sharing a meal — that make the time lost so challenging.

As many people continue to rely on virtual connections, UnitedHealthcare is collaborating with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, to expand the Growing Every Day, Every Way program to provide families with fun ways to connect with grandparents, whether they’re together or apart.

The new “Grandparents Are Grand!” guidebook offers ways for kids and their grandparents to build emotional and behavioral skills with fun and engaging exercises.

Since 2010, UnitedHealthcare and Sesame Workshop have been collaborating to help support families, health care providers and communities address a variety of well-being initiatives through Growing Every Day, Every Way. This includes addressing food insecurity, helping to increase physical activity and promoting daily healthy habits.

Growing Every Day, Every Way also educates families on developmental milestones to help establish children’s lifelong wellness, aligned with well-child visits, while honoring the role that grandparents have in children’s lives.

What’s more, several in-person events will take place on Grandparents Day (Sept. 12) around the country with UnitedHealthcare and Sesame Workshop. For example, a drive-thru celebration in Texas with The Church at Bethel’s Family in Houston, will include a 2021 Grandparents Day celebration, plus COVID-19 vaccination via WellMed. COVID-19 safety protocols will be enforced, which includes masking, social distancing and hand sanitation stations. A breakfast snack and box lunch will also be served.  

“This multi-generational event demonstrates how Grandparents Day can bring people together for not only better health, but stronger communities,” said Jeff Maddox, UnitedHealthcare CEO of the Community Health Plan of Texas.

By providing this connection, along with the partnership with Sesame Workshop, UnitedHealthcare is able to help provide a fun and safe space to help families keep their health in check so they can focus on what matters most.