Residents at Eccleshare Court Care Home in Lincoln have been enjoying the benefits of intergenerational care through building a great relationship with children and staff at Portland Kindergarten and Day Nursery. Intergenerational care is the practice of brining the young and elderly together by care homes and nurseries working together. The children from Portland Kindergarten have been visiting residents once a week throughout this school term. The children have had some wonderful mornings playing with the friends they've made at Eccleshare Court Care Home and taking part in activities together from reading stories to crafts and games in the garden.
“This has been such a success that we’ve made these visits part of our weekly routine now” explained Mel manager of the Portland Kindergarten and Day Nursery “both the children and staff all look forward to coming, we get such a warm welcome and you can see how much everyone gets out of the visits from all the smiles and laughter!”
The benefits of intergenerational care for residents with dementia are clear to see, residents are calmer in the presence of the children and are keen to interact with them and join in with the activities. Developing connections between older people and very young children can be of benefit to both groups. Parents appreciate this extra aspect of social life the children experience from visiting the care home. Not all the children have grandparents or the opportunity to spend time with very elderly people, so this is a good experience for them. Some of the residents don’t have local family or friends who can visit often so visits from the children can help combat loneliness and isolation.
Some of the children are off to 'big school' so it was sad to say goodbye, but both the care home and nursery are looking forward to welcoming the kindergarten back in September with some new friends to meet!
Eccleshare Court Care Home has been rated ‘Good’ in all areas by the CQC and is home to up to 46 residents, offering residential, nursing and dementia care in a homely setting.
