Why Older People Need to Talk to Children Bashny.Net

Recent studies show that it is very useful for older people to communicate with children. They give positive emotions, help fill life with joy and fun. Scientists recommend that grandparents spend more time with their grandchildren. However, not everyone has this opportunity. Many people in old age find themselves in nursing homes, where they remain without communication with children.





To change this, one interesting experiment was devised: to connect a nursing home and a kindergarten. And tonight. "Site" He tells me what happened.

In 1976, an integrated Kotoen center was organized in the Tokyo district of Edogawa. In one building there is a nursing home and a kindergarten. All this was done with the permission of the Ministry of Health and the district administration.

To do this, the building was reconstructed and changes were made to the interior: the walls were made light, soft to the touch and mobile, so that at any time it was possible to redevelopment.





The staff of the center ensures that the interior reigns a homely atmosphere, without government. The experiment paid off immediately. Children and old people played, painted and did needlework together. Older people were delighted to receive so much attention. Parents of children liked that this way children learn to communicate with the older generation and respect for these people.

This center has become very popular. More than 100 children applied for 80 places on a competitive basis, although ordinary kindergartens were filled by only 70%. This practice has shown that combining a kindergarten and a nursing home is a great idea.





Within 20 years of opening the Edogawa center, 16 more similar establishments opened across Japan. Over time, this experience was adopted by other countries: Australia, Singapore. In 1991, a similar program was launched in the United States. There in one building housed a kindergarten, a nursery for 125 children and a nursing home, where about 400 elderly people live.

Of course, children are not always near the elderly, they are brought for a while. Together, they talk, sing, paint or cook dinner – in general, spend time with benefit. This center became the most famous example of such institutions. A documentary was even made about him.

The director of the film noted: Before the children enter the room, the old people look half asleep. But the kids come in, the art, music, or any other class begins, and the elderly suddenly come alive, the energy kicks in!





A similar initiative exists in the UK. In 1991, Judith Ish-Horowitz opened an early education centre in Wimbledon. She noticed that many families of her students moved from different cities and countries. However, not the whole family moved, and many children did not have grandparents. In 1997, Judith made arrangements with a nursing home and began occasionally taking groups of students there.





My grandparents loved it and asked me to bring them more often. For many years, the students of the center visited the elderly, and only in 2017, Judith managed to combine the kindergarten and the nursing home. Her granddaughter is studying there now. That's how it works. kindergarten?

Everything is done so that everyone is as comfortable as possible. There is a separate wing for those who need ongoing care and for people with dementia. A separate building is also near the kindergarten. If older people want to retire, they always have the opportunity. In the yard there is a garden, a small homemade pond and a playground.





Children stay with the elderly for a short time. Older people quickly get tired of active children, they need rest. Communication between children and the elderly takes place under the supervision of teachers. Kindergarten schedule Special: There are certain days and hours of visits. Children and the elderly are not always together.





World experience shows that even if a children's center and a nursing home are united under one roof and receive a common leadership, they must be separated. So communication between old and small becomes as comfortable and unobtrusive as possible.

Now such establishments are not uncommon. Experience shows that the experiment met all expectations. Children learn kindness and respect for elders, gain experience with older people. It's very important to them.





Older people benefit even more. Through communication with children, they become happier and happier. Many people who are not lucky enough to babysit grandchildren have this opportunity, albeit with other children. It prolongs their lives by filling them with something good.

Do you think we need these centers? Does such a pastime affect the elderly and children? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Recently we talked about whether it is possible to send elderly parents to a nursing home. We also wrote about why we should not condemn those people who decide to identify their elderly in specialized institutions.