Young and old coming together
TPCH’s Older Persons Mental Health Team (TPCH-OPMHT) has adopted a new direction for its consumer wellness group by looking at new ways to help address the feelings of loneliness and isolation commonly experienced by older members of the community.
In Australia, approximately 1.6 million people over the age of 65 years are living alone at home, with many experiencing loneliness and social isolation.
The group, which has been meeting for about four years, has recently moved its monthly meetings into TPCH’s Early Education Centre as a way of connecting members with the younger generation.
Feedback from group members showed that mainstream aged care social groups and activities they had been participating in were not enjoyable, prompting the need for some more meaningful engagement.
The idea for the intergenerational connection came from watching an ABC TV series titled ‘Old people’s home for 4 year olds’ about the benefits of intergenerational care and ageless play.
TPCH-OPMHT team leader Fiona Hope said that intergenerational care is about meaningful engagement between the young and old. Emerging research led by Griffith University shows that intergenerational engagement has benefits to both age groups.
The TV series prompted the team to think about alternate options for the consumer wellness group, which resulted in discussions with a very excited on-site childcare centre at TPCH in late 2019.
Engagement between the groups initially commenced with the childcare centre coming to visit the TPCH-OPMHT consumer Christmas party in 2019, with children providing entertainment and handmade gifts to the older consumers.
The success of this activity has led to other events including various get-togethers and an outdoor Christmas party at Brighton Park last year supported by The Common Good.
Due to COVID-19, many planned group activities had to be cancelled or scaled back, however the group is now attending regular morning teas at the childcare centre where members enjoy undertaking a range of activities with the four-year old’s, which includes a variety of craft activities and games.
“It’s great to see people from the older and younger generations coming together and enjoying each other’s company,” Fiona said.
“For older people in particular, it gives them something to look forward to and keeps them connected.”