Toddler Trip To See Nottingham’s Elderly Care Home Residents

TODDLERS took a trip to a Nottingham care home to enjoy a day of games with the elderly residents.

Arts and crafts, playdough making, balloons and singing kept both young and elderly entertained before they shared lunch.

Longmoor Lodge Care Home, on Longmoor Lane, Sandicare, hosted the children from Brookhill House Day Nursery, on Brookhill Street, Stapleford.

The three to five year olds have been making regular trips to the care home, playing parachute and ball games, reading and sharing photographs and stories, among other activities.

“There are great benefits for both the children and our elderly residents,” said Samantha Ely, home manager at Longmoor Lodge.

“The children have a lot of fun, learn about disabilities and the elderly, and get loads of attention from the residents, which they thrive under.

“While the residents are thrilled to spend time with them, playing games, reminiscing about their own childhoods, children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren.

“It makes their week when the youngsters come in to see them. We will certainly continue working with the nursery.”

Longmoor Lodge Care Home is operated by the Hill Care Group, which has homes across the north of England.

Many of the group’s homes foster similar working relationships with their local nurseries, which have proven hugely beneficial.

Wendy Waddicor, managing director of Hill Care, said: “The effects of the elderly and young interacting in a care setting has rightly started receiving a lot of attention, with Channel 4’s documentary Old People’s Home For 4-Year-Olds the latest high-profile example.

“We have always encouraged and supported all our homes to actively forge similar relationships with their local nurseries and schools, as they have proven particularly effective at improving residents’ activity levels and mood during the visits and for days afterwards.”