Stars and Sparkles Foundation are not alone in recognizing that 2020 has been an incredibly difficult year for Care Homes in the UK.
In these unprecedented times, it is so important that we all endeavour to support the older generation and engage with them in finding new ways to communicate in a Covid-19 secure manner.
Intergenerational interactions have been proven to be beneficial for both the elderly and young children. Indeed, pre-Covid, many care homes facilitated group visits from Pre-school children for fun learning stories, games, and activities. A study by Age UK and the University of Kent in 2017 found that intergenerational interactions reduce negative stereotyping of the older generation by young people and less anxiety about aging, while in 2019 United for All Ages documented how intergenerational interactions generate self-esteem, self-confidence, positive mental health and well-being, empathy and kindness in young children.
With this in mind, Stars and Sparkles Foundation are calling on all Early Years settings to link up with their local Care Home this November through live video links. Shining Stars Pre-school in Peterborough have already done just that and maintained their link with Clair Francis Care Home following lockdown, through a series of online activities. Residents and children were thrilled to see each other on their first video call and the genuine affection was apparent. The preschool had worked together with the care home manager to arrange a series of messages and artwork and to plan a series of regular video calls.
Bridget Young, Home Manager at Clair Francis care home said, “This has been a very strange time for everyone, especially residents in care homes who have, for the most, been unable to meet with their families and friends. How wonderful that we can maintain our link with the staff and children from "Shining Stars Preschool". We have really missed the visits from them, the singing, dancing, and storytelling. With Zoom we can maintain that link. The children are having a Halloween party, so our residents have made Halloween pictures for them. Also sending some sweets for them Thank you so much for your amazing support always.”
Nuzhat Lilani, Shining Stars Pre-School Manager said, “I am very lucky and happy to have such an amazing relationship with the lovely people at Clair Francis. The bond between the children and the residents of the care home is just amazing. We had such a fantastic zoom meeting today and the smiles and happiness on the faces of residents and children were priceless. Bringing the Elderly and Children together, benefits society as a whole”
The benefits of intergenerational interactions are plain to see, help us support these valuable interactions this November by signing up for our “Across the Generations” initiative. Complete the interactive quiz below for more information, activity ideas and regular updates from our fabulous participants.
References
Age UK (2017): “Making Intergenerational Connections – An evidence Review” – accessed online 27/10/2020 at https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/reports-and-publications/reports-and-briefings/active-communities/rb_2017_making_intergenerational_connections.pdf
United for all Ages (2019): “The Next Generation – how intergenerational interaction improves life chances of children and young people” – accessed online 27/10/2020 at https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/98d289_b66eb9bbed7f4315a0920d34bf6a4896.pdf