The Villa Maria Childcare Center

EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, we feature intergenerational program ideas that were tried and successful. This series is a tool to highlight various age-optimized programs and practices. The program descriptions are provided by representatives of the programs. Inclusion in this series does not imply Generations United’s endorsement or recommendation, but rather encourages ideas to inspire other programs.

This week's cool idea is the Villa Maria Childcare Center, an intergenerational shared site in Fargo, North Dakota, where children and older adults connect.

(Check our archives for parts 1-63.)

The Villa Maria Childcare Center was opened in March 1980 and is governed and operated by the Villa Maria Resident Council.

The idea of having children in the nursing home setting was appealing, as children are a natural part of most people’s “home” environment and the goal of Villa Maria is to be as homelike as possible.

Thus, the children have much contact with the residents of the home; sending or hand-delivering cards for the hospitalized residents or on birthdays, visiting one-to-one in resident’s rooms, and participating in group activities together.

The residents become wonderful adoptive grandparents for the children and form special relationships that are beneficial to both the elderly and the children. This is a unique opportunity for many children who do not have grandparents in their lives.

Got something cool you tried that was successful? Why not tweet your cool intergenerational ideas to #cooligideas? You can also post them to our Intergenerational Connections Facebook Group. We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter! Share the inspiration.