Fun and frivolity were on offer to both young and old recently as residents from a popular Nedlands aged care home were paid a visit from children from the day care centre next door.
Bringing joy to both seniors and children, the morning saw residents from Regis Nedlands sing nursery rhymes, play musical instruments and take part in games with the youngsters.
The monthly meet-ups aim to encourage companionship and connections between young and the old, enabling seniors to experience enhanced wellbeing through fun and friendships, while allowing the children, who may otherwise have little interaction with seniors and older family members, to gain the opportunity to spend time with older people.
Regis Nedlands General Manager, Peter Lamborne, says the benefits of the program extended both ways, with the children and residents involved genuinely enjoying their time together and forming strong bonds.
“We’re delighted by how well the ‘grandparent time’ brought about by the intergenerational initiative with Munchkin Manor Childcare Centre has been received, by both the residents and children,” he says.
“Older people love children, particularly little ones, it can help them to feel young at heart and enable them to share stories about their own childhoods, and to showcase their own hobbies, talents and life lessons.
“Some of our residents may not see their grandchildren or great grandchildren that often, perhaps because they don’t live close by, so this initiative is a great way for our seniors to spend time with youngsters. It really gives them something to look forward to and is also a fantastic way for young children to learn and respect the elderly, not just within their family but also in the wider community.”
Regis offers a diverse range of care options including residential aged care, home care, retirement living, day therapy and day respite. Regis is one of the largest providers of aged care in Australia and cares for more than 7,000 residents each year.
