‘All in a day's play’ – An intergenerational playgroup in a residential aged care facility

Abstract

Abstract A playgroup was established in 2009 in a residential aged care facility. Qualitative data were collected at baseline and 6 months after commencement. Interviewer administered questionnaires were undertaken with residents at baseline and post implementation. Residents were also invited to attend a focus group. The parents and staff were asked to complete a questionnaire at baseline and at 6 months. This study focuses mainly on the experiences of residents involved in the playgroup. It also describes responses from parents about impact on residents and children and from staff about impact on residents and the facility to expand on the views of the residents. The playgroup, which comprised 16 weekly sessions, was found to have a positive effect for residents. The positive effects were identified as themes which included changing attitudes to residential aged care facilities and child behaviour, enjoyment, reflections on childhood, and increased intergenerational interaction and communication. A facilitated playgroup was effectively established in a residential aged care facility and residents reported overall positive experiences and were accepting of a playgroup in their place of residence. The paper considers the implications of this for wider application. Keywords: older peopleIntergenerational relationsagedresidential aged care facilitiesplaychild Acknowledgements This Project was funded by the Victorian Government, Department of Health, Aged Care Branch as one of the Department of Health Count us in! social inclusion for older people living at public sector residential aged care services 2008–2009 projects. The research team acknowledge Mr Jason Doherty, General Manager, Playgroup Victoria, Australia and Ms Gayle Dougherty, Facility Manager, Percy Baxter Lodges, McKellar Centre, Barwon Health, Victoria, Australia; and the residents, parents, children and staff who participated in the playgroup.