13/1/04
A one-of-a-kind playgroup involving young children and people with Alzheimer's disease is set to brighten many lives with extra added health and workplace benefits.
Seniors and Youth Minister Sheila McHale said the Alzheimer's Australia playgroup was one of 19 new intergenerational playgroups to be established State-wide by $40,000 in State Government grants.
Ms McHale said bringing young children and people with Alzheimer's together was part of innovative work being done at Alzheimer Australia's Mary Chester Centre in Shenton Park.
The centre's 'Eden Alternative' program brings animals, plants and children into institutions for the frail and elderly to combat loneliness, helplessness and boredom.
"The Eden Alternative model has proven very positive in America and it works particularly well for people with Alzheimer's because memory and communication skills are not essential to enjoying positive and meaningful relationships," the Minister said.
"The introduction of a playgroup with children aged one to five will be a positive boost for people with dementia and extra benefits have also been reported in the form of reduced medication use and less staff turnover with happier and more diverse workplaces."
Ms McHale said the child development benefits of interaction with all seniors was also well documented, with increased learning and cognitive skills and better relationships between children, their parents and older people.
"Hundreds of seniors across the State - including those involved in the specialised Alzheimer's group will help break down restrictive barriers and focus more on the simple pleasures of fun, play and learning," she said.
The 19 playgroups will be set up at a variety of metropolitan and country venues including aged care facilities, retirement villages and through local government and community-based seniors programs.
Alzheimer's Australia WA chief executive officer Frank Schaper said the organisation was pleased the State Government had taken a positive position in meeting the needs of people with dementia.
"It is essential for people with dementia to retain important communication skills that can be fostered by this innovative approach to intergenerational activities," Mr Schaper said.
Ms McHale said 31 applications were received for the playgroup grants with the Department for Community Development, Office for Seniors Interests and Volunteering and Playgroup WA to work together to establish and promote the intergenerational playgroups over the next 12 months.
The successful grant recipients are:
Metropolitan
- Alzheimer's Australia WA Ltd (Shenton Park);
- Carrington Aged Care Facility (Hamilton Hill);
- City of Cockburn;
- Lathlain Care Facility;
- Montrose Nursing Home (Claremont);
- Rockingham Women's Health and Information Assoc Inc;
- Shawford Lodge Aged Care Facility (Innaloo); and
- Yallambee Hostel (Mundaring).
Country- Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community La Grange Incorporated;
- Capecare - Ray Village Aged Services (Inc) (Busselton);
- Denmark Lodge;
- Numbala Nunga Nursing Home (Derby);
- Esperance Aged Care Facility;
- Gateway Christian Fellowship Inc (South Hedland);
- Mandurah Care Facility;
- Mandurah Retirement Village Inc;
- Margaret River Uniting Church;
- Northcliffe Family Centre; and
- Rainbow Coast Family Services (Albany).
For further information on the Intergenerational Playgroups Small Grants Program, contact Priscilla Fouracres or Colleen Buck at the Department for Community Development, Office for Seniors Interests and Volunteering on (08) 9220 1111.
Minister's Office - 9213 6900
