Not Just Another Token Pre-School Visit A presentation by Sacha Mountfort and Natalie Hall

Let us introduce ourselves Natalie Hall Centre Manager ABC Rotorua Sunset Sacha Mountfort Care Home Manager Bupa The Gardens Formal Maori welcome. Each talk about who we are, what we do, and how we met. – include Dementia Friendly Rotorua, Bupa Values, Best Start values

Intergenerational Interaction intergenerational programs provide opportunities for younger and older people to interact in a variety of settings Benefits Better community Quality of life Social interactions and relationships Empathy Learning Benefits to the older person (Sacha) Benefits to the child(Natalie) Evidenced based Sacha – to talk to benefits of better community (susan bosak article)

It’s not rocket science Wairarapa Intergenerational interaction Selwyn Baby Buddies ABC Palmerston North Providence Mt Saint Vincent – Seattle – opened a preschool in their aged care facility. Show videos and discuss the two groups

Selwyn Baby Buddies

Wairarapa Intergenerational Interaction playgroup

ABC Palmerston North “Every birthday a resident has, I take a child over. We take a card and playdough cupcake, complete with birthday song and cuddle.” “They treat it like a grand event. Talking about the visit at dinner time and into the next day.” “I tell you it is the most rewarding thing to see a happy grandma’s face when she indulges in an embrace from a young child.”

Dementia Friendly Rotorua WHY IS ROTORUA WORKING TO BECOME MORE DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY?   “Dementia can affect anyone, however as we age the chance of developing dementia increases. New Zealand has an aging population. In our future it is likely that a significant number of us will be affected by dementia, whether it be living with dementia, as a care partner, or whānau. We need to prepare ourselves and our community services to support those with dementia and those that care for them. Everybody in our community deserves to be nurtured and have the best quality of life that they can. I whole heartedly support the conversations and action that the Dementia-Friendly Rotorua Steering Group will stimulate as our community grapples with this important issue.”  Mayor Steve Chadwick  http://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/Rotorua2030/portfolios/people/Documents/Final_Deme ntia-friendly%20Rotorua%20Report.pdf Support always comes from the top down – and we have the whole hearted support from our mayor Steve Chadwick in making our community more age friendly and more dementia friendly.

Bupa NZ “Bupa New Zealand supports our care homes to find ways to connect to their local communities. There are many benefits to intergenerational interactions and seeing the young and old communicating is a very special experience.  The impact can be profound on enhancing the quality of life for older people and the experiences for the young ones. I am very supportive of our care homes being involved in the dementia friendly Rotorua group and have seen many benefits for our residents and the wider community”. (12/10/18)   Carolyn Cooper Chief Operating Officer / Lead Nurse (NZ) Bupa Villages & Aged Care - NZ

Commitment – to the goal of a quality service for every child Respect – for children, families, colleagues and facilities. Enthusiasm – for the vital role every person plays to build a strong professional service Diversity – valuing difference amongst centres, within communities & between individuals. Integrity – in the way we value children, learning and accountability. Trust – honest, open communications and actions.

Connecting Generations https://youtu.be/MTpEdF6IwJk What we have together - Natalie

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw.

The evidence is clear that play is important for us all, whatever our age, but the nature of the types of play that we engage in can change over time (Eden Project)

“Please don’t ever stop bringing them (children) it brings us so much joy” (Resident at The Gardens Care Home)

“I love visiting the rest home and playing games with them “I love visiting the rest home and playing games with them. I really love them all.” – Maddison Lynch, age 4

“Mum has a Villa at The Gardens “Mum has a Villa at The Gardens. So great to think when she moves into Rest Home that she will have a chance of little treasures like this visiting her.” – Rose Ensor, Bupa NZ Facebook Page.

“Maddison regularly talks about these visits and mentions some of the residents by name throughout the week.” – Sandra Lynch, Parent, ABC Rotorua Sunset.

“My child has developed some wonderfully heart warming relationships that I feel will be with her forever.” – Parent, ABC Rotorua Sunset.

Bupa The Gardens and ABC Sunset with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Rotorua March 2018

“we wanted to create a place for people to come live, not come to die” (Mt St Vincent Aged Care Facility, Seattle) Mayoral and deputy mayor visit – promoting intergenerational interaction

“I often have conversations with the residents and they tell me how much they enjoy the presence of our children, how well behaved they are and how they remember when their children were that age.” - Maea Christieson, Teacher, ABC Rotorua Sunset.

Teaching our young

“Happiness is a picnic for kids of all ages” – Rotorua Daily Post September 2018

“My grandma is a resident “My grandma is a resident. She has Alzheimer's and having children visit just makes her day. It is one of the few things she remembers.” – Jenny Bush BestStart Wales Street.

Conclusion Therapeutic “ripple effect” Benefits of empathy – “Anne’s” story, quality of life Where to from here Gateway 2019 – working with Once Chance Youth Project (Alan Solomon) Year 13’s high school students Every Carehome to connect/form a relationship with an Early Childhood Centre, Kohanga, Kindergarten, Mothers group etc “we are starting with our community in Rotorua”

Thank You