Playtime Never Gets Old: Why Every Old People’s Home Needs a Day Care
The 20th century’s imagination was dominated by apocalyptic visions of overpopulation. Today, these fears have been replaced by a quieter, more deadly phenomenon: an aging population. For every old person dependent on care, three working-age adults are needed to sustain this system through taxes and services. In Australia, this ratio maintains the physical aspects of care (think hospitals, homes, and staff), but not the social and emotional aspects of care (think purpose, belonging, and joy). At the other end of the human lifespan, young children brim with potential and the need for nurture. Older people contribute to society through memory, wisdom, and mentorship. What if these two forces could meet? Old people’s homes with daycares offer a revolutionary solution to the epidemic of loneliness facing our aging population.
As of 2022, 16 percent of Australia’s population is considered “old” (aged 65 or older). Roughly one in every hundred citizens lives in an aged care home, and the average length of stay is two years. Most residents do not return home. This figure is increasingly attributed to the loneliness that care homes notoriously instill in their residents, characterized by a lack of agency, purpose, and belonging. Loneliness is Australia’s deadliest epidemic among older people. It might be helpful to view old people’s homes through the lens of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which are physical needs (like water, food, and sleep), safety needs (like personal security, health, and social ability), belonging to community, esteem from self and others, and self-actualisation; old people’s homes account for the first layer, barely account for the second, and aren’t built to support the third, fourth, or fifth layer at all. In all, 16 percent of older Australians self-report as experiencing loneliness, which accelerates deterioration and has been identified to increase the risk of premature death by 26 percent. Economically, loneliness costs Australia over $2.7 billion per year, partly because many older people seek healthcare simply because they feel isolated. This represents a moral hazard to the economy, healthcare system, and society as a whole—who are we if we cannot dispel loneliness and isolation among our most vulnerable? Intergenerational care homes are needed because they address a fundamental flaw in Australia’s aged care system. Having older people directly nurture young children reduces feelings of loneliness by providing a space for belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
Social connection is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality across the lifespan. One reason is that the connection keeps us active and vital. One Swiss study found that non-intensive childcare by older people increased life expectancy by at least 5 years, with a 37 percent lower risk of death over a 20-year period.
Playtime naturally increases physical activity, improving muscle strength, balance, and cognitive engagement. Each of these is an essential component of healthy aging. In combination, non-intensive childcare supports Maslow’s second need: physical safety through health, capability, and social engagement. When older people maintain their physical and cognitive abilities, they are empowered to participate fully in activities that give their lives meaning.
To address the final three of Maslow’s needs, first consider that loneliness is a natural part of the human condition. Self-awareness confronts each of us with the fundamental realization that we are isolated units. This understanding tells us that loneliness can be alleviated when we are given the opportunity to meaningfully situate our lives in the lives of others’. Evidence shows that when older adults care for young children, there are opportunities for narrative, teaching, and purpose-building. This is because there is a space for sharing stories, transmitting wisdom, and seeing one’s own experiences reflected in the next generation. Through this, older people can find a sense of belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
Critics will argue that intergenerational care homes require resources that the current aged care system lacks. It’s fair to expect an honest return from what would be such an extensive change to the system. Here, consider that the Australian government is expected to pay upwards of $9,000 per old person by 2035, and the vast majority of this figure comes from costs associated with frailty alone. The fact is, intergenerational care homes protect against frailty and keep older people healthy. To this end, intergenerational care homes are cost-effective and commonsensical.
With an aging population, we have a chance to rethink our aged care sector and exactly the kind of care we put into it. Policy makers need to develop, pilot, and scale up these programs, so encourage your local representatives to do so! Families can take more action by talking with local daycare providers, participating in a program like this that pops up in your area, or, at the simplest level, giving your older loved ones a call.