Study Shows Playing With Preschoolers Improves Mental Well-being Of Older Persons
Playing games and interacting with preschoolers could help to improve the mental well-being and mood of older people in retirement homes, a new study at Stellenbosch University (SU) found.
Conducted by Dr Elizabeth Earl and Dr Debbie Marais from SU’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, the study was published recently in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE. Earl is currently doing her Community Service year at the Shongwe Hospital in Mpumalanga.
The researchers say people living in semi-independent and frail care residential units at retirement homes may experience the loss of the supportive role provided by their communities and may also suffer from anxiety and depression. It is, therefore, important to explore how interactions with children may improve their situation.
They asked residents at a retirement home within the Cape Peninsula Organisation for the Aged complex, connected to a preschool, to complete a questionnaire relating to mental health and also interviewed them about their interactions with the preschoolers.
These interactions happen twice a week, where the children join the older persons for a supervised 60-minute session of playing interactive games such as passing a ball to each other or building puzzles. Residents can also choose to do additional volunteer work (e.g., reading sessions) with the children. The children also do additional activities with the home on special occasions, such as singing songs with them on public holidays.
The researchers say their analysis of responses suggests that the intergenerational interactions were experienced positively by the older people.
“By forming relationships with the children, older people felt connected to a community and developed a sense of belonging in society, which in turn influenced their well-being at the home. They re-identified with roles, which gave them a sense of purpose and they valued their contribution to the lives of the children.
“The intergenerational interactions provided the older people with the ability to embody traditional roles of grandparents again. They valued the individual relationship with the children, as they felt important through being remembered individually by the children.
“They also described developing a feeling of familial connection with the children. Engaging with the children also reminded them of the greater community to which they belong.”
The researchers say one participant told them that, “I feel a bit involved when I’m with them”, while another reported that, “You form a sort of relationship … You get to know their names and they get to know you.”
The residents also looked forward to the weekly interactions with one remarking, “But with the children around now, I feel fulfilled, because it’s something to look forward to.” Another said, “We were asked if we want to do anything with the children and I put down yes, I want to go read to them.”
According to the researchers, the intergenerational interactions also brought back fond memories and evoked a sense of playfulness that helped to improve the mood of the older people.
“One of the participants told us that the children ‘… make me miss my own children … They make me look back into the past, which was filled with children’. Another said, ‘That’s most important, play, the playing part, you know. It connects you, and the children can communicate, and they come to you freely, you know. It has been real rewarding for me’.”
“Others reported that ‘The little ones come in, and then they make a B-line for hugs … They come and give you a hug hello and goodbye. Which is really nice … I just feel good seeing them.’
‘I have noticed that very, very withdrawn, grumpy people actually smile and enjoy [it] when a child comes’.”
The researchers say their findings show that intergenerational interactions may serve as an additional non-drug intervention for managing common mental health conditions in older persons living in retirement homes.
Going forward, they recommend appropriate training of staff involved in the interactions between children and older people to ensure both groups are prepared for the engagements.
“Interactions should be run according to a regular programme to promote the formation of relationships and bonding between participants.”
The researchers conclude that activities organised for the interactions should allow for reciprocal engagement and facilitate an educational or skills-based development to promote a sense of purpose in older persons through these interactions.