Older people have the "know how"

On UK Older People's Day new research reveals a rich variety of knowledge, culture and practical know how being passed down through families.

Family history, practical skills, stories and recipes top the list of hand-me-downs, with nearly three quarters (73%) of people saying this knowledge is more likely to be held by their grandparents' generation rather than their own.

There's an appetite to keep this knowledge alive with over three quarters (77%) of us worrying that it may die out.

For fixing, making, providing or entertaining from scratch, our older friends and relatives can be a great source of practical wisdom.

Whether it's to help throw a children's party, end our ready-meal dependency, tend an allotment or do basic DIY, over two thirds (68%) of people are keen to get their hands on this know how.

Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien is calling on younger generations to strengthen their ties with the older people in their lives.

"Swapping stories, skills and ideas across generations gives us an opportunity to discover what we all have in common and appreciate the role older people play in our lives and our communities," he said.

Keeping it in the family

Women are the queens of hand-me-down culture with more agreeing than men that various types of family wisdom have been passed to them.

Practical wisdom

Many of us have inherited a wide range of practical knowhow, from playing traditional party games to baking, pointing to a revival in traditional home skills.

Top motivators

When asked, more than two thirds (68%) of people said they would like to learn some of this practical knowhow. To have fun and to save money are the top two motivators showing there are financial as well as fun reasons to turn to older friends and relatives for advice. The instinct to, in turn, pass this knowledge on to our children proves a strong driver for a quarter of us.

Mike O'Brien commented: "From allotments to local choirs, shared passions help bring people of all ages together. Socialising with people of different generations can help to strengthen local communities and make sure older people aren't isolated or excluded."

Children's Minister, Beverley Hughes added: "Older people and young people have much to gain from each other: older people having the chance to pass on their insight and experience and younger people engaging with and supporting older people."