by Nicole Cook

Created on: March 19, 2009

Combining day care and elder care is probably one of the most interesting ideas to come about when addressing the needs for both age groups. There are many elderly individuals who still maintain an active and sharp mind but may have difficulty with their mobility. This does not mean they should be cast aside within some facility to live out the rest of their days among nurses, aids, and other seniors. Seniors still have a lot to offer society and when we take a look at todays youth, it is apparent that this is an area where seniors could be very useful. Allowing elderly individuals to bestow upon our children the knowledge that comes with their many years on this earth can have a great influence on how these children will develop into adults. Many children today have not been taught to respect their elders and this is evident by the many crimes involving children and the elderly today. Planting the seed early on, and enabling positive association between the two age groups can have a huge impact on the future of our society. Allowing these young children to interact with adults in this way will also benefit the children greatly as well. Having a role model to look up to when in many cases their home life does not provide them with this can impact these children greatly.

Funding for child day care and elder day care programs is unfortunately always in jeopardy so by combining the two, we can prevent the loss of these much needed programs. Many older individuals can fall into a depression when they have reached a point in their lives where they feel as if they no longer are needed. Their children have all grown up, they have retired from their profession, and in many cases illness has taken their strength or mobility. By providing them with an outlet for their experience, and knowledge we can greatly improve their lives, providing them with a sense of purpose. Many seniors still need to feel as though they are a part of society and by bestowing upon them the chance to interact with, educate, entertain and even learn from a much younger generation, this can be accomplished.

Unfortunately many children come from families where the older generation has already passed away or is located in a far away state or country. Not being able to benefit from a relation ship with that older generation is quite unfair and sad. However, if child day care and elder day care were brought together, their resources combined and their programs adjusted to benefit both age groups, children from such families as described above can fill that gap with the presence of an elderly individual who needs the child in their life just as much if not more.

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