Children from Beehive Day Care in Campbellford visit Burnbrae Gardens residents.

Children, seniors benefit from partnership with daycare
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 -- Natalie Miller
A little boy happily accepted a full-size Aero bar from a resident and indulged in a chocolate feast.

The child and nine other four- and five-year-olds clad in costumes visited Burnbrae Gardens residents yesterday as part of Halloween festivities. Children sang songs and coloured pictures and of course, ate candy.

A partnership between the Campbellford long-term care home and Beehive Day Care ensures children and seniors connect for special events. Both those young and old benefit from interacting with one another, say the co-ordinators of the intergenerational program.

“I think (the children) enjoy it as much as the (residents) do,” says Christine O’Brien, Beehive’s junior kindergarten and senior kindergarten head teacher.

“They see a lot of different things they’re not used to seeing.” Christine explains how the children are exposed to disability and the older population in general, noting some of the kids don’t have grandparents.

She says the children were initially shy about talking to the seniors but now approach them with a “Happy Halloween” or “Merry Christmas,” whatever the occasion might be.

Burnbrae residents gave the children treat bags and one resident even offered part of her personal chocolate stash to the little boy sitting beside her.

“There were lots of smiles,” says April Anderson, Burnbrae Gardens life enrichment co-ordinator.

April says residents packed the lounge for the Halloween activity. Children make residents laugh and seem to have no care in the world, says April. She says a child’s spirit, outgoing nature and creativity is attractive to residents. There’s a reminiscent value too. “It makes (residents) think of their own kids.”

For eight years the daycare has taken children to celebrate special occasions with Burnbrae residents.

Resident Charlotte Grayden, 90, says, "I enjoy their visits," about seeing the children.

She says Halloween was in full swing yesterday with staff in costume "bringing out the best of part of it."

Other Halloween-themed entertainment and meals completed the festivities at the long-term care home.