Last week, Rural Northwest Health’s (RNH) Hopetoun Aged Care residents were treated to multiple visits from some of the community’s youngest members, as part of ongoing intergenerational programs at the campus.
Hopetoun Pre School returned to the campus for a special visit filled with painting, songs and dancing. The activities culminated in beautiful artwork created together by residents and students, which will go on public display at the Powerhouse Exhibition in September.
Hopetoun Leisure and Lifestyle Assistant, Norma Decker, said the painting event was an important way to bring joy to residents across the facility.
“Our residents love to spend time with younger members of the community and to get creative. This event was an important opportunity for them to combine two things they dearly love,” said Ms Decker.
Later in the week, local P-12 students visited for a special Book Week parade. Staff and residents embraced the occasion by dressing up.
Hopetoun Nurse Unit Manager, Allison Fischer, said residents enjoyed seeing the students’ costumes as the parade wound down each passage, allowing residents to wave and cheer from their rooms.
“Book Week was such a wonderful opportunity for our residents to come together and get involved in an occasion. It was wonderful to see so many students embrace the day and go out of their way to make sure every resident was included throughout the day.”
“Watching the children get involved, whether through art, music or costumes, creates such a joyful atmosphere across the campus.”
RNH CEO, Lois O’Callaghan, said intergenerational visits are incredibly important for residents and bring enormous joy to residents, families and staff alike.
“These intergenerational visits are such an important part of supporting our residents’ wellbeing and their connection to the local community, which is something that matters deeply to so many of them,” said Ms O’Callaghan.
“We are incredibly grateful to our local schools for taking the time out of their day to visit the Rural Northwest Health Hopetoun campus and spend time with our residents.”