Kindergarten that’ll nurture ages one to 101
SCOTTISH Ministers are to consider radical plans to tackle ‘age apartheid’ by introducing cross-generational projects.
Under proposals from Age Scotland, lonely elderly people would mix with nursery children and hard-up students.
The charity believes the Government has an opportunity to tackle three problems in one – student housing debt, the need for more nurseries to meet its target of 1,140 free hours for three and four-yearolds by 2020, and loneliness among older people.
The proposals, backed by the Scottish Liberal Democrats, will now be considered as part of the Scottish Government’s isolation strategy.
Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: ‘We need to consider new ways of responding to the rising demands for care and affordable housing, as well as building bridges between generations. ‘While it’s good news that people are living longer, too many older people feel socially isolated or are stuck in unsuitable housing.’ A 2016 Scottish Parliament committee study heard isolation doubled the risk of an early death, while television was the ‘main form of company’ for 40 per cent of older people. The idea of mixing nursery-aged children and the elderly featured in last year’s hit Channel 4 programme, Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds. Now, a £10.6 million development – a nursery and residential home in Fife – has been granted planning permission. Age Scotland hopes for a set-up in Scotland similar to the Humanitas retirement home in Deventer, in The Netherlands, which allows students to live in apartments rentfree in return for spending at least 30 hours a month acting as ‘good neighbours’ to elderly residents.
But the charity also recommends older people renting out a room in their own home, in return for help with odd jobs and companionship.
Mr Sloan said: ‘The plan for a combined care home and nursery in Fife is a wonderful way to promote interaction between young and old. Similar projects have found that people at both ends of the age spectrum benefit.’
Scottish Lib Dem health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: ‘I know many older people who have the space and would welcome the prospect of a young person living with them.’
The Scottish Government said: ‘Intergenerational activities is something we are actively looking at in our social isolation strategy.’