California couple adopts an 87-year-old into their family. Then they showed what his last days look like: ‘Thank you’

A simple move to a new house in California turned into a life-changing connection for a couple and their neighbor. TikToker Julissa and her husband often share glimpses of their life with their 87-year-old neighbor, Delmar, on TikTok, and the internet loves it. When Julissa first moved into her new home, she realized that Delmar didn’t have any family nearby. What started as just being neighbors quickly evolved to where she considered Delmar part of her family.

In one video, Julissa shared a simple montage that illustrates exactly what life looks like for Delmar with and without them in it. The video features the caption, “Life after adopting our 87 year old neighbor into our family.” First, you see him sitting all by himself at a dining table in a mall food court with the text “Life without us” on the screen. 

Then, the scene shifts to the couple sitting right across from him, chatting and laughing, with the text “Life with us.” They repeat this same contrast with him at an outdoor table at a Baskin-Robbins and again on the sofa in his own home. 

The TikTok community found it touching

TikTok user Nor commented, “Such a kind person you are, love to see this , and remember that … every single good thing it’s back to you and your family when you get older.” User2879810059695 wrote, “THANKS for your KINDNESS,” while Marta Pérez Bango simply said, “thank you.” 

Nicole Gonzales shared, “every time I see your videos my phone gets blurry, love every one of them!!!” Emily Juarez621 added, “Thank you for sharing Delmar with all of us. Pure love in your videos.” Tyra Miller Dilley noted, “My favorite is his giggle. So precious. What a beautiful family you have, Delmar included.” Finally, pge6832 said, “I work with the elderly and what you are doing makes me so happy!! Love it”

The impact of this kind of connection is backed by science. According to an article by Liberty Home Care and Hospice, having a family support system is crucial for the elderly because it provides a social network that can actually improve health and extend life. 

The article notes that seniors often value these relationships even more than financial support. It’s not just about having someone to talk to. The team noted that these relationships provide tangible benefits like better mental health, a stronger immune system, and improved cognitive function. When we help our elders with daily tasks or just spend time with them, we’re helping to reduce the stress that can negatively affect their physical well-being.

In an article by Harvard Health, executive editor Maureen Salamon explains that intergenerational friendships can deliver a stimulating balance of experiences and attitudes. Ronald Siegel, an assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, points out that while we often stick to our own age groups, that can be limiting. 

In the article, Siegel suggests that intergenerational friendships require us to let go of biases and approach others with curiosity. These connections help us learn from one another and can even help older adults feel more youthful and satisfied with the aging process.

While there is no other proof to coroborate what we are seeing in the videos across this Tiktok channel, apparently Julissa and Delmar are doing so much more than just hanging out. They’ve even collaborated on a children’s book together, and they are using the sales from that project to help pay for Delmar’s hearing aids.

Their friendship isn’t the only one bringing good vibes to the internet. Lauren Stevens runs a TikTok channel to share her life with her best friend, an award-winning San Francisco photographer she met through a wrong number message on her work phone. Recently, a caregiver stopped to help an old man on the street. Not only did she become friends with him after realizing he was living without the basics, but she also discovered that he was an Olympian.