Residents at the Southern Cross Care (SCC) NSW & ACT Parkes Residential Aged Care (PRAC) home love it when kids from the local pre-school Nature One Day Care Centre come to visit. The visits provide positive interaction and an opportunity for residents and children to interact and engage in meaningful activity that's beneficial to both groups. The pre-school is now visiting monthly to give the residents and children a chance to connect over multiple visits and form friendships over time. PRAC resident, Judy, said the visit were often the highlight of her day. "I love seeing them when they come to visit, they are such gorgeous little things and we have a lot of fun together".
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Lifestyle Co-ordinator Maree Hando, said that the intergenerational activities had created topics of conversation and interest within the home, promoting a feeling within of a family friendly atmosphere. "By inviting the children to visit the home, we want them to feel more comfortable interacting with older people and have a more positive view of the ageing process," she said. "These programs allow residents to feel they have a valued role in being able to nurture and contribute to the teaching of social and other life skills which may benefit the children".
I love them, they are beautiful kids, I love music, so I love doing musical activities with them.
- Merle, PRAC Resident
Discussions were held between lifestyle and pre-school staff in creating suitable and meaningful activities that residents and children would be able to participate in together. The games and activities all have a purpose, like encouraging teamwork through arts and crafts, relationship building through story telling and reminiscing and fun interactions through games and musical activities.
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Lifestyle staff asked for donations of reading books, children's toys and play equipment that was safe and clean. Resident's help to keep the children's play area neat and tidy and have taken charge of setting up the room when the children visit. Bright coloured balls and other play equipment are also placed in outdoor courtyard area to encourage outdoor play.
Both residents and the children's lives have been enriched through the regular contact, friendship and social activity. Older people are at greater risk of loneliness and depression, but its programs like this that work to reduce isolation and strengthen community relationships.