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What happens when a community's youngest and oldest members meet?

They both benefit say the organizers of a program that pairs young students with 'Grandbuddies'

Near-centenarians and toddlers meet every week at the Ontario Finnish Resthome as part of a program designed to promote intergenerational learning.

Preschoolers from Jessie Irving Daycare go to the rest home every Tuesday while older senior kindergarten and Grade 1 students from Kiwedin Public School next door visit on Wednesdays biweekly.

Visits usually include hugging, then activities like crafting, reading, and singing songs, followed by a snack.

Heidi Slotegraaf, manager of Program Support Services at the rest home said the visits are a “win-win” situation for her residents and the visiting youth.

“Spontaneous daily things are missing in the lives of seniors. Other people have cats, children, and a lot going on in their lives but seniors are often in a routine and constantly being taken care of. This is also a way for them to give back for the care they receive. They really look forward to it,” said Slotegraaf.

Maria Guido, one of the teachers at Jessie Irving Daycare said the “weekly hugs and chats” are something the kids look forward to.

“We have a couple children who have elderly family members in the home and when I see a three-year-old still have contact with a family member 75-80 years older it melts my heart,” said Guido.

Maria asked her students what they thought of their visits and the children replied, “it’s so much fun, can we go again tomorrow?"

"I love them"

"it’s a fun time and place"

"I can't wait to see Mike.”

Mike Koivisto, 66, has been meeting with his buddy, Dean, for about two years and the two have developed a tight bond.

“It reminds me of when I was young. A lot of learning goes into it for both of us. I learn to be more patient and I try to teach him good values and not to take life so seriously,” said Koivisto.

Rest home resident Sylvia Wilding, 97, has several great grandchildren and her eldest child is 81 - which is older than many residents.

“I think it was really nice to see the children get out and partake with the elderly and it does a lot for older people seeing the children because usually it's dogs they bring in. I like the kids,” said Wilding.

Kiwedin teacher Laurie Monto said her students named the seniors their “grandbuddies” and that they are always excited to take the walk over.

“The first day we went over there some of the residents were in tears. One time they were all applauding us as soon as we walked in the door,” she said.

After 12 years of teaching in Goulais River, Monto transferred to Kiwedin for the very reason that it would be possible to participate in an intergenerational program.

“There’s a lot of research, new and old, talking about the importance of school boards taking a role in character education; particularly the areas of empathy, sympathy and compassion. What better way than to have a child make a connection with a senior?“ said Monto.

Monto said research results have demonstrated that intergenerational programs improve character development as well as the health of seniors.

“Now, because of that research, they are having nurseries and daycares built in nursing homes. That’s how strong the data is,” she said.

Slotegraaf first became acquainted with this type of programing when she was introduced to the ‘Eden Alternative’ at a conference 20 years ago.

The Eden Alternative is a philosophy that states among its principles that “companionship is the antidote to loneliness” and promotes elderly contact with animals and other people as a form of therapy.

“There’s a quote out there, I forget by who, that goes ‘Everyone needs someone to love and reason to get up in the morning - a purpose’ and for the residents this program is part of that,” she said.

Slotegraaf said that many of her residents don’t have grandchildren and some of the children don’t have grandparents so for both of them it’s a unique opportunity to meet the other generation.

"As the population ages, its important that young people become more familiar with seniors because there is going to be a lot more of them and many of these children may have a career in caring for them,” said Slotegraaf.

The program originally ran in the early to late 2000s, closed for funding reasons, and then started back up again in the summer of 2014.


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Jeff Klassen

About the Author: Jeff Klassen

Jeff Klassen is a SooToday staff reporter who is always looking for an interesting story
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