Age no barrier to virtual connections
The catch up, though, is unusual in more ways than one. Firstly, it is virtual — the residents sit together in the pub while the visitors on the television screen log on from their homes all over Victoria. Secondly, the virtual guests are not even old enough to go to school.
Visiting has been limited in Victorian residential aged care homes since the start of the pandemic until recently, so Mercy Place Ballarat and Playgroup Victoria worked together to make sure intergenerational catch ups could continue.
Mercy Place Ballarat residents catch up virtually with children from around Victoria during online playgroup sessions.
“Before lockdowns, our local playgroup would regularly come into our home,” Mercy Place Ballarat Club and Events Manager Shanna Love says. “The residents loved having the kids come in. We didn’t want this important part of our residents’ week to end with children not allowed in our home, so with Playgroup Victoria, we now have a virtual playgroup instead.”
While it took a little adjustment for the residents and children to adapt to the virtual setup, Mercy Place Ballarat residents now love the weekly program, with as many as 50 playgroup families and 10 residents involved.
“Our residents love it, and so do the children,” Shanna says. “When we first started the virtual sessions, it was tricky, sitting in front of the television to catch up. Now, we are starting to see all of the little personalities of the kids, and we are getting to know them, and our residents are definitely getting more involved. Residents are completely captivated throughout the sessions.
Residents, children and their families join in the fun on Wear a Hat to Playgroup day.
“One of our residents is palliative and she is finding most activities difficult, but she is always one of the first to the playgroup sessions and she taps her feet along to the music, smiling away. It’s beautiful watching her connection with the children.”
Resident Rita Afford says Tuesday mornings are one of her favourite times of the week.
“It’s lovely seeing the children every week,” she says. “They make us laugh and we are getting to know them better now we’ve been meeting for a while. We know that little Hugo loves garbage trucks, and gorgeous Elliot says a special goodbye to everyone at the end of the session, which we all love. I especially like it when the children do their show and tell. They can be so funny.”
It has long been said that it takes a village to raise a child, but both Mercy Place Ballarat and Playgroup Victoria are seeing firsthand just how beneficial intergenerational relationships are for our ageing population.
As many as 50 children and their families are regular attendees of the virtual playgroup with Mercy Place Ballarat residents.
“These sessions are great for everyone involved — socially, mentally and physically,” Playgroup Victoria Development Advisor Maureen Hatcher says. “It brings me so much joy to see how much more the residents are participating in the activities as the relationships with the children develop. It’s wonderful.
“The feedback we get from the families is very positive, too. So while the residents are clearly benefiting, it’s actually a win for everyone. We have some children whose grandparents are interstate, and with COVID-19, some people aren’t seeing their grandparents. This way, no one misses out and relationships are built between the generations.”
In recent weeks, the sessions have grown to include a second Victorian residential aged care home so, as an added bonus, not only are relationships forming between Mercy Place Ballarat residents and the children, but relationships are developing between residents from both homes.