Retirement home and preschool combat senior loneliness with “ageless play”

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - To say Thursday was an exciting day at Preucil Preschool would be an understatement.

But it wasn’t the toys, music, or games that did it - it was the residents from the Oaknoll Retirement home joining them for an afternoon of what’s called “ageless play”.

Something Preucil’s Director Tricia Windschitl says is great for the kids’ development.

“While their shared experiences are so different and will continue to be different, they have come together in laughter and song and joy and and have grown to love each other.” she said.

But it’s not just beneficial for the kids - it’s necessary for the seniors.

According to the National Institute of Health, being close with a child can decrease a senior’s risk of mortality or declining health...enough so that some of those seniors’ caretakers notice a difference.

“Some of the residents that are participating do have some cognitive impairment,” said Sarah Neary, one of Oaknoll’s social workers, “And what I see is that they almost magically kind of rise above that limitation.”

Thursday’s activities weren’t extravagant: just a simple tea party, some arts and crafts, and a little bit of music.

But Oaknoll Resident Lyn Gardner said that didn’t make it any less special.

“They just share a joy just when they talk to you. And if they show you something they’ve been coloring or something they’re thinking about... it’s just exciting.” she said.