Charlottetown seniors home adds daycare program

A senior's residence in Charlottetown has some new guests, and they aren't who you'd expect to find there.

That's because the Beach Grove Home now also houses a daycare for pre-schoolers, a bit of inter-generational programming for both groups.

It sees the kids and the seniors spending a lot of time together.

"I think it's good for the children and good for us, too," said Noreen Pursey, who lives at the residence. "It brings back the memories of our own little ones, I had seven."

The kids are from the Stepping Stone Child Care Centre, and visit the seniors for an hour each day.

"It gives them an opportunity to connect with children, to teach, and to share their stories, and work together on different projects," said Andrew MacDougall, an administrator with Beach Grove Home.

The benefits go both ways, especially for kids who don't have a lot of contact with seniors.

"Some of our children don't have grandparents here," explained Mary Manual with Stepping Stone. "So some of them can have that grandparent/child relationship, and those are always fun relationships."

It's already become a highlight in the day at Beach Grove Home.

"It shows that we're all humans, from little ones to big ones, and we all appreciate a good time," said Barbara Rogers, another resident of the home.

"It makes me feel full of love when I see all the children," said Elizabeth Standing. "It makes me feel glowing, watching them play."

A program curriculum committee oversees the project, and plans activities that both the kids and the seniors will enjoy, like art, exercise, games and music.

It's only been going a few weeks, and it's already succeeded in one of its goals, getting some seniors more active and involved.

"We're already seeing people come to some of these activities and events that we don't normally see," said MacDougall.

Right now, only a small group of the kids from the daycare visit, but the daycare hopes soon to visit several times per day, with a wider range of ages, from infants to five-year-olds.