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29 October 2024
Dalkeith Gardens residential aged care home has formed a special partnership with a Traralgon preschool, building intergenerational relationships and connections.
Three and four-year-olds from Sara Court Preschool have been visiting residents at the Benetas aged care home on an almost weekly basis since November 2023.
The 90-minute sessions bring together roughly 20 residents and 20 children to share a range of activities, including colouring, painting, active games, gardening, blocks, books, craft and dancing.
The program provides residents with enthusiasm to be active and engaged, participating in activities and discussing things they may not have thought about for decades.
For the children, the program provides a little wisdom and an opportunity to thrive, grow and see things from a different perspective.
Overall, the interactions have enhanced wellbeing, fostering emotional comfort for both generations through meaningful connections and relationships.
A number of studies, including those carried out by Stanford University and the American Association of Retired Persons, have highlighted the benefits of intergenerational connections.
Benetas CEO Sandra Hills OAM said both residents and children had benefitted from the program, living and seeing things from another generation’s perspective.
She said some of the most treasured moments were experienced when the children and residents sang and danced to songs together, prompting happiness and laughter while bringing a sense of calm and belonging.
“We know how important intergenerational connections are to both children and seniors,” Ms Hills said. “At Benetas, we have rolled out similar programs at some of our other residential aged care homes to support our residents to remain connected to their communities.”
Latrobe City Council manages Sara Court Preschool. Latrobe City Council CEO Steven Piasente said he had heard from council’s early childhood educators about how the program has helped typically shy children become more confident, by interacting and expressing themselves to the aged care residents rather than their peers.
“The program has helped children’s confidence grow, it has supported development of their social skills, and has promoted their emotional growth through cross-generational engagement,” Mr Piasente said.
“This is a truly special concept that enriches all those involved, and shows that the importance of play is ageless.”
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