Intergenerational bond raises dementia awareness

Intergenerational bond raises dementia awareness

Preschoolers from a Rotorua centre are lighting up the lives of residents from a local rest home and in turn are learning about empathy, ageing and conditions such as dementia.

The idea was initiated by Bupa New Zealand, The Gardens Rest Home and Hospital, which approached the ABC Rotorua Sunset Centre.

Bupa is a member of the Dementia-Friendly Rotorua Steering Group which was set up last year to help raise awareness about the diseases; through activities including sharing information with networks and surveying people living with dementia to identify community action priorities.

Sacha Mountfort, Care Home manager of Bupa New Zealand, The Gardens Rest Home and Hospital, says the children’s fortnightly visits to the Garden have added to the residents’ quality of life.

“It’s like magic. It’s beautiful to see a spark in the residents just being with the youngsters. For me I think of it as a therapeutic ripple effect. The intergenerational interaction brings our residents out of their shells.”

ABC Rotorua Sunset Centre manager, Natalie Hall, says the children started visiting the rest home about two months ago.

“We take about six preschoolers to visit the residents at the Garden. The children absolutely love it. They get really excited about Garden day.”

Miss Hall describes the visits as life changing for both the preschoolers and the rest home residents.

“It’s lovely to see them light up when they see each other. It’s neat to see the residents playing with play dough, manipulating the dough and making sculptures with the children.”

Rotorua Lakes Council’s People Portfolio lead, Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, commends the initiative.

“Dementia can be a frightening prospect for many as they age but as a caring community all our older citizens should know, with our increased knowledge and awareness, we are here for them," says Cr Raukawa-Tait.

“I think the visits (to the rest home) have helped our children to learn about kindness, empathy and to understand diversity through getting to know the wonderful people at the rest home. I’d suggest for any preschool or school to consider similar visits because it teaches our children about life,” says Miss Hall.

Sacha Mountfort, who also visits the preschool every week and reads to the children about dementia, is encouraging others to also take up the dementia-friendly challenge, saying it would be a great opportunity for the likes of youth groups, and mothers’ groups.

“Engagement helps break down age stereotypes and helps us create a dementia-friendly district. In order to achieve that goal, we as a community need to understand dementia through awareness, tolerance, respect and acceptance,” she says.

The chair of the Dementia-Friendly Rotorua Steering Group, Rosemary Viskovic, applauds the pre-school and Bupa for its exemplary leadership.

“Dementia can affect anyone. It’s important our community is aware of the disease and understands how they can help those living with dementia as well as their families or carers,” she says.

As part of Dementia Awareness Week this week, you can show your support by wearing purple and helping Turn Rotorua Purple.

Background:

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia is a progressive condition which includes symptoms such as memory loss, trouble talking, feeling confused or disorientated, will worsen over time. Dementia is a broad term that describes a set of symptoms that develop as a result of damage to the brain. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. You can read more about dementiahere.

HOW CAN YOU HELP CREATE A DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY ROTORUA?

Your support can positively change the lives of about 750 Rotorua residents living with dementia and those who care for them.

You can help in a variety of ways including:

• Learning about dementia

• Talking with friends about dementia and ways you could make your community dementia-friendly

• Taking part in a dementia education session; or

• Alternatively, if you live with the condition or you have been touched by dementia in some way, you could provide pearls of wisdom to our community by contacting alzheimersro@gmail.com

ENDS

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