Here at Avon Lee Lodge residential care home in Christchurch we have just hosted our first ‘Intergenerational tea party’.
The party was a huge success benefiting our elderly residents as well as infants from the local nursery. This is the first in a planned series of events between Avon Lee Lodge and Burton Day nursery.
This type of gathering is referred to as intergenerational care and is reported to enhance confidence, self-esteem, and social skills for both the young and the elderly. Research has found that in some cases the excitement of seeing the world through younger eyes can get older adults motivated, reducing depression, relieving boredom and improving health.
There have also been many positive benefits for the young ones too with the increased attention the youngsters have increased opportunities to develop their social and emotional skills, as well as opportunities to learn more about our past.
The program of the event was specifically designed by our pastoral carer Michelle Ellison who through research decided upon the schedule for that included cake baking as a hands on activity, followed by a vintage tea party in which the children could experience such an event.
This was followed by a question and answer session between the children and the elderly residents. The event was a great success with the nursery children and our residents here at Avon Lee Lodge responding very positively.