Connecting the young and young-at-heart at Bupa Ashfield
Children and elderly people are forging meaningful relationships at Bupa Aged Care Ashfield through an intergenerational playgroup, making senior residents feel young again. WATCH
There's almost a centuary between the oldest and the youngest in the room.
Curious fresh minds examine the weathered hands of their new friends - aged care residents with a thousand tales to tell, a thousand lessons to teach.
The connections are small, simple, yet powerful.
Every month, the pre-school aged children come to visit senior residents at Bupa Ashfield. The meetups involve a variety of activities ranging from arts and crafts to sing along sessions and playing with puzzles.
One of the home's residents and a former actor on the TV series ‘A Country Practice’, Glennen Fahey, said it reminds him of being young again.
“I look forward to the playgroup as I rarely see anyone younger than me," he said.
“I think the children benefit just as much as we do. It is great to see them throwing around teddy bears. You can’t put a price on their laughter and the enjoyment that brings to people like me,” Mr Fahey said.
Bupa Ashfield General Manager Susie Carter said the meetup was beneficial to both the residents and the children, who come from Mini Skool and Kindy Patch.
“Providing the opportunity for two very different age groups to come together brings a new perspective and enthusiasm to the lives of everyone involved.
“Our residents enjoy talking to the kids or showing them how to do things and vice versa, so both sides feel good about what they’re doing and enjoy their time together." Mrs Carter said.
Interested in learning more about the important role children can play in dementia care? Find out more on Bupa's Health Link.
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