Playgroup for young children and elderly proves popular

However, the Uniting Nunyara Peakhurst aged care facility is bucking that trend – running what it calls intergenerational playgroups.

Every Monday, local parents bring in their young children, from newborns through to preschoolers, to spend time with the residents. The children play with one another while getting plenty of attention and cuddles from the elderly.

“The residents love it,” organiser Tam Isaacs said. “The residents really look forward to this each Monday.”

She said the dementia residents especially seemed to enjoy the playgroups.

“They are usually very quiet but they really liven up when the children come in. The residents just love them,” she said. “It might help them remember back to their younger years or to when they were perhaps nurturing children.”

Mrs Isaacs, who runs activities at the facility, said she brought the idea to the aged-care home a few months ago. She had previously come up with the idea at another facility she worked at.

“I used to have a friend who came along a lot to another aged-care facility where I worked.

“She had two little ones and I realised how good it was for the residents. The demeanor of the residents changed and their faces changed when they were around the children.”

She said after her friend moved to Newcastle she went on the lookout for other parents. She has now set up a Facebook page inviting parents along.

Mrs Isaacs said she would like to see other aged-care facilities take up the idea as well.

Resident Frances Green, 99, said it was an enjoyable morning each week.

“It’s lovely to see children. I have two children and they meant the world to me.”

She said she also has plenty of grand children, and seeing the young ones come in each week was a nice reminder of her grand kids.