What is Intergenerational Care?
Intergenerational care involves bringing the young and elderly together by introducing nurseries and nursing homes to one another. This new style of care is becoming increasingly popular in care homes across the UK and participants and researchers recognise the benefits of purposefully connecting different generations to share experiences.
What are the Benefits of Intergenerational Care?
Channel 4’s two-part documentary ‘Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds’ boosted the profile of intergenerational care, highlighting the benefits of introducing a pre-school class to a group of older people.
The physical and mental health benefits of intergenerational care are thought to be far reaching – from reducing loneliness and inducing laughter to reminding the elderly of their own childhoods and time spent with their children. For the participating children, these moments are thought to boost literacy, language and social skills.
Incorporating intergenerational activity into the delivery of care in nursing homes is relatively straightforward. Simple activities like painting, colouring, reading and dancing with children can be planned into a home’s social activity calendar.
Intergenerational Care at Morris Care Nursing Homes
Intergenerational visits, from music sessions to mini graduations, is something we’ve been doing for many years, with local nurseries visiting their nearest Morris Care Nursing Home.
The Tortoise Nursery in Wellington is next door to Morris Care Centre and they often stop by to join residents whilst they are having a cup of tea or join their arts and crafts sessions. Last year, they attended the Home’s Christmas Party, which was great fun for everyone and the children even got to meet a reindeer!
Radbrook Nursing Home in Shrewsbury enjoys a fortnightly visit from Little Explorers Pre-School. From Movement to Music sessions, cooking with the Head Chef and trips to the National Trust’s Attingham Park together, they have formed great bonds and everyone looks forward to their visit.
Oldbury Grange Nursing Home near Bridgnorth is no different and is often joined by the little ones from Jiggy Wrigglers. They join them for lots of seasonal fun, including an Easter themed morning where they got to hold visiting pet rabbits.
If you would like to arrange a visit to one of our Nursing Homes, please get in touch today.
