Student and aged care residents participate in happiness program
More than 190-thousands Australians live in aged care facilities and ways to improve residents’ well being is a key focus, following the Aged Care Royal Commission. One program in Adelaide’s north has found friendship with teenagers, is helping both generations be the happiest they can be.
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00:00Year 10 student Tyra Burns is a bit of a bookworm.
00:06She's in good company with aged care resident Barbara Cook.
00:10The unlikely pair have spent the past few months bonding over their shared passion.
00:15Actually I'm reading Arne Doe's story and it's bringing me to tears just about, you
00:21know, wonderful man, yes.
00:23I've been reading Harry Potter, I know that's a bit old, but yeah I've been reading that
00:27and other stuff as well for school because I've been learning in Gothic and all that
00:30so I've been reading all those types of like the Mockingbird story as well and yeah and
00:36then Barbara was telling me about her stories that she's been reading and all the books
00:39and yeah.
00:40Yeah, great readers.
00:43It's part of a program connecting aged care residents with local high school students.
00:48They say they feel lighter, happier and more aware of each other's life experiences after
00:54the sessions.
00:56I don't think there's been one group that hasn't laughed or smiled at the least because
01:00the residents here are just so friendly and funny.
01:02I just go about my day a bit differently knowing the impact that they've made.
01:07Keen Musos Alex and Jeff had plenty to talk about.
01:10It was bizarre how much we had in common.
01:12It was really good.
01:13It was good to connect with something that I wouldn't normally talk to but he's got a
01:17lot of experience and stuff that I really respect and possibly want to go into in my
01:21own future.
01:23One recommendation of the Aged Care Royal Commission was to increase older people's
01:28access to mental health services.
01:30But less clinical solutions like building new friendships could be key to increasing
01:36happiness, self-esteem and sense of purpose.
01:39Dopamine's released when you feel connected and relationships are key to our wellbeing.
01:44The more that we connect with someone and we feel heard and validated and listened to,
01:49appreciated, it's one of the best health benefits there is.
01:52They'll have even more to talk about after the school holidays when the program continues
01:57next term.
01:59The emotional, social wellbeing has just had an incredible impact so we're very, very pleased
02:05with how positive it's been.
02:06Oh it's lovely.
02:08I mean we can't turn the clock back but it's nice to be reminded of when I was 15, which
02:15was a long time ago.
02:18New friends becoming old mates.
02:22Yeah.
02:23Yeah.
02:24Yeah.
02:25Yeah.
02:26Yeah.