Preschool Opened Inside an Assisted Living Facility & It Turned Out Better Than Anyone Expected

Summary

Belong Chester, an award-winning dementia care village in England, has successfully integrated a nursery for small children within its assisted living facilities, fostering intergenerational interactions that benefit both the elderly and the young.

Abstract

Belong Chester, a cutting-edge care village for individuals with dementia in Chester, England, has taken an innovative approach to communal living by incorporating a day nursery for young children. This intergenerational care model aims to promote well-being, active lifestyles, and a sense of community. The village offers a variety of amenities including a bistro, gym, hair salon, art studio, and gardens. The unique integration of The Nursery within the care village allows for mutual learning and sharing, contributing to reduced anxiety and agitation among residents with dementia. Although not immediately embraced by all, the initiative has seen skeptics turn into enthusiastic participants in intergenerational activities. These interactions have been shown to improve cognitive functioning and mental health, while also combating depression and loneliness among the elderly. Children benefit from the wisdom and skills shared by the residents, creating a vibrant, mutually enriching environment. Similar programs have also been implemented in the United States, with the hope that such initiatives will become more prevalent in long-term care facilities globally.

Opinions

The concept of intergenerational living is praised for contributing to reduced anxiety and agitation among residents with dementia.
Relatives of residents report positive outcomes from the intergenerational interactions, noting a decrease in agitation when residents are around children.
Initially, some residents were skeptical about the nursery integration, but they have since become active participants in shared activities.
There is an observed improvement in cognitive functioning and mental well-being among residents who engage with children.
The intergenerational approach is associated with a reduction in depression and loneliness among the elderly population in the village.
The belief is that such intergenerational programs should become a more common feature in long-term care facilities to enhance the quality of life for both the elderly and the young.

Preschool Opened Inside an Assisted Living Facility & It Turned Out Better Than Anyone Expected

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Centered on that concept of communal flourishing, a dementia care village in Chester, England has incorporated a day nursery for small children — bringing together young and old for learning and sharing. An intergenerational care village of sorts.

Already an award-winning care village, Belong Chester’s state-of-the-art facilities, canalside city location, and pioneering approach to intergenerational living are combining to promote well-being, active lifestyles and, above all, a vibrant, welcoming community.

The facilities include what you might expect at a first-class assisted living facility; a bistro, a gym, a hair salon, an art studio, and gardens. But there is also one unique facility at Belong Chesters, The Nursery. The Nursery in Belong Chester is a unique and special place. Based in the heart of Belong Chester care village, the nursery is fully integrated to enable children and adults of all ages to benefit from living, sharing, learning and just being with each other.

Photo byBelong Chester

Belong Chester reports that intergenerational living is contributing to reduced anxiety, and relatives report that being around children means people with dementia are less agitated. The idea wasn’t always well received by all. Residents who initially said the nursery was a lovely idea, but not for them, are now enthusiastic attendees at intergenerational events.

Photo byBelong Chester

Residents are supporting the children’s learning through storytelling, reading, sharing memories and teaching simple skills, there is improved cognitive functioning and mental well-being. Of course there is also a great reduction in depression and lonliness.

Photo byBelong Chester

Similar projects have been pioneered in the United States as well. The Intergenerational Learning Center at Mount St. Vincent nursing home in Seattle opened its doors to the oldest and the youngest since 2015.

What a beautiful experience for both young and old. We hope to see more of this in the future of long term care facilities.