by Debbie Campbell

Created on: March 21, 2009

Sitting on the back deck of a nursing home yearning for the moment that something familiar, something precious, something pure would interrupt the loneliness of their lives, the elderly have an unspoken need. Bringing day care and an elderly service together would fill the emptiness that sometime surrounds them. And at the same time, children are exposed to the gentleness and loving kindness of an elderly person that is longing to be shared.

Day care workers are hard at work to provide toddlers with the attention and necessities they need, the same basic needs are performed by nursing home workers. Combining the two would be an asset to all involved. Sometimes the work is far greater than the number of workers, the basic needs are imperative and for the most part - are met. But, because of the hardship of over-worked employees, its not always easy to recognize the loneliness or the need for attention. Bringing the elderly - with their need to laugh, to love and to care, together with the toddler - with their need for someone to listen, to pay attention, and to play with them - the possibilities are endless!

Laughter has been called the "best medicine" - putting a playful toddler in a room with an elderly person and allowing them to "play together" might just be the answer to a reduction of medication. Pain is minimized when a person's thought is not consistently on it - with a child to focus on, the pain may be less intense - of less importance.

A child's need to have someone to listen to them and show them special attention is extremely important. Having the privilege of an adult to play with them brings excitement to them. At the same time, an elderly person longs to feel "needed again" and the presence of children gives them just that - a sense that someone "needs" them. The elderly would sleep well at night knowing that tomorrow will be filled with the joyful events of sharing their love with someone that stands in need of them, and at the same time - fulfilling a need of their own.

Combining a daycare with an elderly service would prove to be beneficial to all involved. From the wiped tears of the lonely elderly person to the joyful tears of the fulfilled needs of a child, this service would enhance lives. Each caring for the other and depending on the love to be returned, this service would be an act of commitment from one to the other - with the words never having to be spoken.

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