FRIENDSHIPS that cross generations - preschool visits a joy for our elderly

Interactions between local Quirindi Preschool children and residents of Eloura Aged Care Facility are proving a popular event, with fun activities such as bowling and gardening being used as an opportunity to build friendships.  
 
“The lifestyle team have made the preschool visits a priority because our resident survey identified that the residents wanted engagement with children,” Karen Allan, Lifestyle Officer at Quirindi Care Services said.  
 
“We wanted to have regular ongoing visits to build friendships and this has definitely happened. On Wednesday when the preschool visited Eloura it was lovely to hear the children calling out to Jim, Wally and Bobby and run up to give them high fives!” Mrs Allan said.  
 
Getting the residents ready for visits to the preschool is a team effort from the lifestyle staff, care staff and registered nurses at Eloura. For many of the residents who don’t have regular family visits, this monthly interaction with the children is a highlight of their month.  
“We are really focused on improving the quality of life for our residents. We know that the visits with the children provide our residents with opportunities to engage with others as well as increasing physical activity and spending time outdoors. Our lifestyle team does a fantastic job of organising these types of opportunities, we are so grateful,” Kim Riley, General Manager of Quirindi Care Services said.  
 
“Intergenerational engagement has been demonstrated to be exceptionally valuable for the wellbeing of elderly residents and the children benefit from the interaction too,” Miss Riley said.  
 
The children, aged between 3 and 5 years old responded positively when asked how they enjoyed the visits; 
Benny said, “it was good for me, I liked the bowling” 
Cooper said, “I played with Wally, we high fived” 
Primrose said, “It was a bit funny to see the old people in the beds move, because they don’t normally move much, do they?”

Quirindi Care Services have been in discussions with the preschool staff and are planning to have a fire pit and toast marshmallows, and have the children perform their end-of-year concert in upcoming visits.