Aged care residents teach a lifetime of skills to children

Residents at Bolton Clarke’s Allity Marten aged care home in Largs North are teaching children skills they have learned over a lifetime in the home’s Legacy program.

The program links residents at the home with the children of staff members to share their accomplishments or learn something new.

Photographs of the interactions are captured and displayed throughout the home, creating a talking point and attracting new resident involvement.

Participants have included a local mechanic, a butcher, a former Police Department cook who took over the home’s kitchen to teach children how to make frog in the pond and a former Royal Flying Doctor and GP who shared tips with a young aspiring health professional.

Resident and Dr Brian Moore shared this key advice with his protégé: “Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t do something – dream big!”

More recently, Con Kiosses, a local mechanic spent time putting together a truck with one young visitor, Hartley, 3. Many visitors to Marten recognise Con’s photo on the wall and remark that he serviced their car at his shop previously.

Laughing, Con encouraged Hartley in their endeavours stating, “You are a good apprentice.”

Care Manager Kelly Prosser said her son Hartley is captivated by the elderly residents, always looking forward to his next visit.

“Hartley is always asking me when we are going to see the ‘old people’ again,” Kelly said.

“He can wait to come back and meet more of them!”

“The Legacy photos are a real talking point during tours with families and visitors and new residents want to be involved.”