Experts say intergenerational programs in aged care settings can reduce loneliness and social isolation. One program in Bundaberg is bringing together students and their schoolโs elderly neighbours to cultivate vegetables and conversation.
00:00It's harvest day in the garden of this Bundaberg aged care home.
00:06That's why I chose this place to live. When I came and saw the lovely gardens, I said this is it.
00:12Built and cultivated by students from the neighbouring high school, the teenagers tend to vegetables under the watchful eye of elderly residents.
00:22It makes me feel I'd like to bog in and help them but I'm past that now so I just have to sit and enjoy watching them.
00:32Their shared interests makes good fodder for conversation. Everyone's up for a chat.
00:38They all come from farming backgrounds talking about how they rode horses and did all the dairies and stuff.
00:43It was good to hear how different their growing up was to mine and learning all the history was brilliant.
00:48What we're doing here through these programs is bringing joy back into ageing and these older people can have such a tremendous influence on the lives of these students.
00:56Experts say intergenerational programs in aged care settings can reduce loneliness and social isolation but there's also major health benefits.
01:07It's mentally stimulating for them and the studies show these can either delay the onset of dementia and or diminish its severity.
01:14It's a lot easier to have a conversation when you're doing something so you know it brings back memories.
01:21The food also making a tasty addition to meal times.
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