The “Greet a Grandparent” event encourages young children and their parents to mingle with elderly residents and participate in activities together.
For Residential Care Manager, Amber Vega, it is one way Anglicare is establishing connections with the local community and enriching the lives of the residents.
“We are always looking for ways to make Warrina a part of the local community. There are so many stereotypes of what a nursing home is and what happens once you are there. We want to do our part to change and challenge this perception. Just because our frail aged residents need care does not mean they have no purpose. We do what we can to engage the community,” Ms Vega explains.
“With the help of the team and the support of Hills District Mums we came up with the idea of ‘Greet a Grandparent’ events which we hold a few times per year.”
Anglicare Warrina invites mothers and their children aged 0 – 6 for some activities and morning tea through the Hills District Mums website and Facebook page. Groovy Suzy, a well known popular children’s entertainer, have amused them quite a few mornings and the home prepares activities children and residents can do together.
“Residents love these events as they remind them of when their own children were little,” says Ms Vega.
“When they interact with the mums and kids their faces light up and they are full of joy. We have some residents that have been teachers and Sunday School teachers. The event helps them recall many fond memories as well as make new ones. They often give advice and encouragement to the mums and little ones.
“The mums love coming as well. Some of them have told us they have lost their mums or grandmothers and this is their way of remembering them while giving back to the community. Our residents enjoy it so much they talk about ‘Greet a Grandparent’ for many days after the event.”
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