Alino Living, a leading aged care provider on the Central Coast, is thrilled to announce the reintroduction of intergenerational play activities across its four facilities – Killarney Court, Lake Haven Court, Rumbalara House and Vietnam Veterans Keith Payne VC Hostel. This exciting initiative comes after a period of restricted social interaction due to COVID-19 and aims to foster meaningful connections between residents and younger members of the community.
Earlier this month, Lake Haven Court kicked off the program by welcoming Busy Little Bosses Messy Play to their facility. The event saw babies and residents enjoying a shared morning tea, filled with laughter and joyful interaction.
“I am so excited to start bringing intergenerational activities back to Lake Haven Court,” says Amy Holton, Facility Manager at Lake Haven Court. “The recent Messy Play event was a huge success. The residents absolutely adored it – some even commented that they hadn’t seen children or babies in years! It was truly heartwarming to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.”
Intergenerational play offers a wealth of benefits for both residents and younger participants. Research shows that these interactions can combat social isolation and loneliness in older adults, fostering a sense of connection and belonging. They can boost cognitive function in residents, stimulating memory and communication skills. Intergenerational play can also provide a sense of purpose for older adults, allowing them to share their knowledge and experiences with younger generations. For children, these interactions can help develop empathy and social skills by interacting with people from different backgrounds and life stages.
Building on the success of the Lake Haven Court event, Alino Living plans to make intergenerational activities a regular part of their program across all facilities.
“We are thrilled to be reintroducing intergenerational play at Alino Living,” says Justin Dover, Co-CEO of Alino Living. “These activities offer a fantastic opportunity for our residents to connect with younger generations, share stories and create lasting memories. We are confident that this program will bring joy and enrichment to all involved.”
Alino Living plans to expand their intergenerational program by reinvigorating their ‘Grand-Friends’ program. This program will connect facilities with local day care centres, fostering regular visits between residents and young children to create a vibrant and enriching environment for all.
“We are very excited about the future of intergenerational play at Alino Living,” says Amy Holton. “This is a program that truly benefits everyone involved, and we look forward to building special relationships between our residents and the younger Central Coast community.”