Our Chair Based Exercise programme, which is our form of intergenerational practice, has found that engagement between the different generations has been incredibly positive. Residents were thoroughly engaged throughout the sessions and residents living with dementia did not exhibit the same levels of cognitive disorientation as before.
Confidence also improved considerably with the residents that many were able to walk unaided and felt as though they had a purpose to get up in the morning. For instance, one eager resident was regularly washed, dressed, and ready an hour before the children were due to arrive for their exercise sessions.
With such positive changes in behaviour, intergenerational practice truly emphasises how important engagement and stimulation is to residents as well as highlights the exercise benefits of improved strength, mobility, confidence, and overall health. Any activity that encourages engagement between different generations strongly indicates a positive change in behaviour, thus, improving the residents’ quality of living and confidence.
