Express & Star

Youngsters helping people with dementia in Walsall

Youngsters and people living with dementia are joining in a new initiative for 'intergenerational care'.

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Little Rascals Nursery, Aldridge, is joining with people with dementia as part of Dementia Action Week. Dementia Cafes are introducing pen pals, where they have linked up with the nursery to help provide intergenerational support to people living with dementia. Pictured is Frankie Buchanan, aged four, and dementia sufferer Gary Parker

As part of Dementia Action Week, care and support provider Accord Housing Association is shining a light on some of the work it does to help people living with the disease.

One method the association is using is intergenerational care, where children work with people living with dementia to help improve the way they engage and interact.

In November 2018 Pathways 4 Life – part of Accord – started working with Little Rascal’s Day nursery in Aldridge to introduce the pen-pals to its 'Dementia Cafés' in Walsall.

Since the children started being involved there have been a number of benefits to the people attending the cafés.

Garry Parker, 73, has dementia and attends the cafés with his wife Janine, who says she has seen many benefits since intergenerational care was introduced, and even says the cafés have helped and supported her.

She said: “Since the pen-pals have been introduced I have seen a huge difference in him, as he enjoys writing to them and reading their letters.

“The café has huge benefits for Garry but also for me, as Garry is not very sociable now so it gives me the chance to speak to people who understand what dementia is, and the people who run the café are just brilliant.”

Janine Hayes, Accord’s Dementia Café co-ordinator, said: “By using this method of intergenerational care we really are developing the way we provide care to our customers. Since the children have been involved in the Dementia Cafés you can see a huge change in the person they are interacting with.

“Our café users really look forward to hearing from their pen pals, and seeing the children when they visit as it helps to bring out their inner child.

“Even though more research is still being carried out to gather evidence about why intergenerational work is so effective we can definitely see the benefits it brings our customers.”

Dementia Action Week runs until Sunday, for more information visit https://bit.ly/2IqIraN or for more information on Accord’s Dementia Cafes visit https://bit.ly/2qYUjrW