It’s like turning on a light bulb. When 20 children come walking and singing into the elderly institution, Alma, Oddrun and Olaug light up. The same is done by the other elderly residents who sit and wait. There is just under a kilometer between the nursery school and the nursing home, which is located in Selje in Stad municipality in Vestland. For over five years, the children have, with small steps, visited the elderly every Friday. Several of the younger and older people are on first names with each other. Three-year-old Silin runs straight up to Alma, who is almost 80 years older – and starts playing and singing. The elderly get to try a manicure and they dip their hands into a measurement that becomes art on the window sill. – When they are not here, I am happy every day until they come. I have five grown children myself and twelve grandchildren, but they have grown up and are scattered around Bergen and Oslo. Then it’s nice with the little ones who come, says 80-year-old Alma Sørpoll. Alma always looks forward to the children’s arrival. They can name each other. Photo: Arne Stubhaug / news Several visits to news Brennpunkt revealed shocking conditions in care for the elderly, which in turn has led to a larger debate about what the content of the elderly service should be. Among other things, there has been a spotlight on the fact that too many older people are sitting passively, without stimulation. But the picture is not entirely black. In recent years, the number of so-called joy of life nurseries has increased dramatically. A free concept developed by the non-profit foundation “Livsglede for the elderly”, which aims to carry out more activities for the elderly. A joy of life kindergarten undertakes to always visit the local nursing home, care home or day care centre. The children and the elderly do joint activities together, and get to experience that they enjoy each other. In 2018 there were 272 such nurseries, today there are 544. In other words, a doubling in the last five years. – By facilitating intergenerational meetings, one contributes to the creation of good and inclusive local communities, says Linda Fahle-Johansen, subject manager for Life Joy for the Elderly. Selje nursery school visited the elderly in the nursing home every week throughout the pandemic, where they made painted figures on the outside of the window. Photo: Selje nursery Good feedback In the user survey from 2022, which has been carried out among the nurseries participating in the scheme, there has been particularly good feedback. More than half of the nurseries believe that meeting between generations can prevent loneliness and that it gives the elderly an opportunity to show care. Head of department at Seljetunet, Stine Fylling Silden, recognizes this. – It’s about something happening. We do not have many activities on offer. We had a day center before, but that is gone. Then you have to use the resources you have, also across sectors. Head of department Stine Fylling Silden says it has been exclusively positive to collaborate across sectors in the municipality to get the visit. Photo: Arne Stubhaug / news But the children also gain good experiences, the survey shows: 94 per cent of the kindergartens state that the children gain experience when someone is happy that they come. 75 per cent state that the children learn that they must show consideration for others. 61 per cent state that the children gain experience of what it is like to grow old. Visited during the pandemic Many nurseries managed to be visited during the pandemic as well. Around thirty percent were visited 1–3 times during the year. Around 8 per cent were visited several times a month. Selje kindergarten visited the nursing home every week throughout the pandemic, where the children stood outside the window. Unit manager Heidi Løvold says continuity has been important. – If we had only done it occasionally, I think it would have come to an end. When we have incorporated it into our everyday life, it becomes a routine and a part of us. The contact between the older and younger was also there through the pandemic, with a glass in between. Photo: Sell kindergarten
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