Research

Research into the benefits of intergenerational programs suggests there are benefits for all ages including people living in aged care facilities, families, young children & aged care employees who have the opportunity to engage in intergenerational play.
While seniors enjoy the sense of fun and energy that young children can bring, and to share their value through lifelong knowledge and experience – children develop social skills and awareness, empathy, gentleness, and unbounded love through an extension of family. For parents, they receive social and peer support through shared experiences, relationships and bonds with older generations.

There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of intergenerational programs. Participation in intergenerational activities:

• increases the dignity and self-esteem of older people living with dementia [2]
• increased social interaction and enables the development of relationships between multi generations [3]
• promotes social inclusion [4]
• increases passive engagement and enjoyment among aged care residents [5]
• acts as a mechanism for engaging older people in occupational therapy [6]
• provide benefits to children in terms of their development and ability to self-regulate [7]
• development of mentor roles for children [8]
• pro-social interactions combined with educational experiences have shown to reduce school-based problem behaviours [9].