Some of Sunshine Coast Health’s youngest hospital patients have created special Christmas cheer for older people spending the festive season at the health service’s aged care facility.
Children attending the class room in the Children’s and Adolescent Unit at Sunshine Coast University Hospital have been tapping into the gift of giving, by handmaking cards for residents at Glenbrook Residential Aged Care in Nambour.
“I’ve heard the school kids were reluctant to go to school on some days and get out of bed when they were feeling unwell, but when they found out they were making these cards and spreading some cheer to the residents here at Glenbrook, they were very excited,” Sunshine Coast Health Chief Operating Officer Joanne Shaw said.
Once the bespoke cards were Christmas-ready, complete with glitter and personal messages, they were delivered at a special Christmas morning tea at Glenbrook.
Glenbrook Recreational Officer Julie West said the residents were thrilled to have been thought of by the health service’s younger patients.
“They were quite taken back the cards were personally addressed to them, with some point of interest that interests them, so that was really nice,” Ms West said.
“Everyone needs to be needed, everyone needs to feel like they have a purpose in life and that they’re wanted.”
Senior Director Communications and Engagement Bekki Fisher said intergenerational engagement is proven to be beneficial for both older and younger people.
“It’s good for our younger people to be able to see what it’s like for older people and to kind of walk in their shoes, and for our older people to receive something from a younger generation just puts so many smiles on their faces,” Ms Fisher said.
“Some of our younger people put so much thought into the cards they made, one of the residents was able to open a card that had a puzzle in it, and she loves making puzzles, so she was absolutely delighted.”
The Glenbrook team are calling on the community to make time for friends and relatives living in aged care facilities over the holiday season.
“If you know someone in an aged care facility this Christmas, I know Christmas is a really busy time of year but a five minute visit means so much to them.”