Look Inside! A child shares his St. Patrick's Day bag with seniors at St. Paul's Intergenerational Day Care
Here Come the Kids: Children and seniors mingle after the flag salute. Studies show that both ends of the age spectrum benefit from daily interaction with the other.
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Intergenerational Day Care is Mutually Beneficial
June 15, 2008
By: Hannah Miller
Aging Americans may feel isolated as they lose their mobility and energy. Many find themselves watching television alone or in rest homes. They may receive one visit a year from their kids and grandkids.
St. Paul’s Senior Day Care Program is working to change that. They offer an intergenerational day care for seniors and children. The program brochure states that their aim is to give seniors “a renewed sense of value . . . and reasons to smile and laugh.
”“When the children come in, there’s a roar of laughter and talking and everyone lights up!” said the program’s supervisor, Linda Christiansen. “There are happy sounds – it’s a completely different atmosphere. You can feel the excitement in the air.”
Christiansen has worked at St. Paul’s for three years; she gravitated toward the intergenerational program because she understands the importance of bridging the generation gap. “It’s great to put these two generations together. My generation – the baby boomers – we’re coming up and we’re gonna want to be around children, too, because it’s being around children and youth that keeps us young.” Many seniors feel like they’re grandparents to the children, she said.
The children benefit from the arrangement, too. Christiansen said that “parents are so happy that they have their child here,” because “they see someone that reminds them of a grandparent. Our children understand generations.”
“The children are probably curious about things like wheelchairs, walkers and oxygen tanks,” said Cindy Oser, an early-childhood development expert. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the kids to learn about people who are different.”
In a 2005 study, preschoolers who had regular contact with seniors were 11 months ahead of kids in standard day care in their ability to name emotions, work cooperatively and participate in social activities. They also had better manners.
There are about 500 similar day care centers throughout the country and the benefits are numerous: “provides uplifting exchanges that enhance self-esteem and self-worth; teaches respect for people of varying needs and abilities and provides opportunities for sharing life experiences among people of diverse backgrounds and age groups.” (www.mysecondhome.org)
At St. Paul’s Day Care, the children and seniors gather together for a flag salute in the morning. They also read, put puzzles together, exercise, make music and enjoy meals together.
Childcare rooms and senior rooms are bright, clean and well-staffed. The seniors have a “Living Room” where they can enjoy a respite from the boisterous children and every room is clean and orderly.
The outside patio boasts a vegetable garden and shade trees. When the seniors enter the café for lunch, they’re treated just as if they’re dining at a fine restaurant with table linens and salad forks.
Currently the program serves 73 children, ages 8 weeks through 5 years, and 16 seniors, most of whom have mild dementia or mild Alzheimer’s. The staff is “creative, respectful and caring.”
“I really love working with seniors and children,” said Christiansen. “I thrive on it!”