Nursery Tots Delight Care Home Residents

Having two generations come together is really something quite special. For a group of care home residents at Bupa The Links Care Home, once a week they get to experience the joy of hosting children from a local nursery school.

For a year and a half, the home and its residents have welcomed children from Broadstone Christian Nursery school to spend time chatting, socialising and doing activities together.

Many of the residents who play with the children are living with dementia. Activities Lead at Bupa The Links Zoe McCarthy, believes that children should be equipped and prepared to interact with them. “These children may well have grandparents and other relatives who suffer from degenerating illnesses. It helps them become comfortable around elderly people and particularly those living with dementia.”

The children and residents take part in joint activities such as drawing, painting, baking and eating together. One resident said, ““They are just a joy to be around”. Another resident said “I look forward to them coming, it’s the highlight of my week”

Zoe says, “It’s great to see the residents engaging with the children. Everyone has a fun time and there is always such a lively atmosphere when the children visit. It is important to us that the residents enjoy themselves as much as possible here. We always welcome visitors, even animal visitors!”