CONTENT THESIS INTRODUCTION Manifesto Introduction
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THESIS RESEARCH AGEING POPULATION UK Ageing Population Older People Living Alone Scotland Ageing Population News of Scotland Why are Majority of the Elderly Living Alone?
INTERGENERATIONAL CARE
Introduction to Intergenerational Care History Behind it Examples of Intergenrational Learning and Care Centres Providence Mount. St. Vincent, West Seattle Apple and Honey Nightingale, London St. Joseph’s Home, Singapore Intergenerational Care Benefits Both Children and Elderly
CROOKFUR COTTAGE HOMES
Architecture History of Crookful Cottage Homes Introduction to Crookfur Cottage Homes Photos of Crookful Cottage Homes Redevelopment of Crookfur Cottage Home Meeting up Crookfur Residents
DAILY ROUTINE
Daily Morning Routine of Children and Elderly Daily Afternoon Routine of Children and Elderly Proposed Intergenerational Integrations Schedule for Morning Session Proposed Intergenerational Integrations Schedule for Afternoon
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THESIS DIRECTION Building Programmes
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APPENDIX
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MANIFESTO The cohesion relationship between young and old is important to nurture the growth of individuals. By placing child care facilities and senior centres together enable to provide opportunities for intergenerational bonding. This project will be introducing innovative programs that allow the symbiotic interaction between the young and old. Both young and old will gain benefits from each other. Older adults teach the young empathy and character, socialize them as well as give them unconditional love (Bosak, n.d.). In turn, children provide countless joy for older adults, share their affection and assist them in many simple tasks. Intergenerational bonds are the most powerful type of connection (Drury, Abrams, & Swift 2017). This kind of connection improves the positive attitudes of younger people towards older adults and alters the negative perceptions of older adults about the ageing process. At some point in our lives, we will experience the nature of ageism (Abrams, Eilola, & Swift, 2009). This proposal intends to encourage intergenerational relationships as a method to reduce prejudice and prevent ageism between age groups.
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INTRODUCTION Practically, every country in the world is undergoing growth in number and proportion of older person population. The population of the world is ageing. It has become one the most major transformations of the 21st century. Apparently, ageism is common in Britain (Abrams, Eilola, & Swift, 2009). Several changes in society led generations becoming distanced from one another, especially younger and older people (What is Intergenerational Learning, 2018). In this project, intergenerational care will be introduced as a scheme to promote supportive attitudes and behaviors between the young and old. Intergenerational contact is linked to behaviors that positively impact older people’s loves and the wider community (Drury, Abrams, & Swift 2017). Additionally, young people who experience contact with the elderly are more likely to have positive behaviors towards older people in general (Drury, Abrams, & Swift 2017). This research project will be investigating the retirement home, Crookfur Cottage Homes located in Newton Mearns in the south side of Glasgow. It is a place where the older residents enjoy their retirement life there in a very safe and secure environment. They are recognized by their high quality of care, service and worry-free environment. The entire area is currently redeveloping to support even more retail retirees. However, they are currently replacing their physical care to digital care which means there will be lesser interactions involved. Therefore, part of this thesis is to discover a better solution to help older residents.
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UK AGEING POPULATION The UK’s population is getting older (Hayter, 2017). The population of the UK has undergone a vital change in its age structure, with many people having fewer children and living longer lives (Letwin, Harper, Walport, 2016). As UK’s ageing population is increasing, the number of health issues and disability will rise without any major improvements in health. According to Hayter (2017), proportions of people aged over 65 are higher in coastal areas between 1996 and 2016. More inland areas expect to increase in proportions of older people as well, while London and surrounding areas will remain the lowest (Hayter, 2017).
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OLDER PEOPLE LIVING ALONE According to Statista (2018), 28% of older adults age 65 and over are living alone. Survey finds three-quarter of elderly are feeling lonely (The Guardian, 2018). More than a million elderly people age over 65 are missing out of help due to the dreadful state of social care system (Watts, 2018). Living alone without any interactions with other people can be harmful to their health. Living alone in later life can cause potential health risks, such as poor vision, bad memory, and mood, poor physical activity, poor diet, the risk of social isolation and worsening function. (Kharicha et al. 2007).
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SCOTLAND AGEING POPULATION Comparing Scotland to other parts of the UK, the population is growing at a slower rate according to SSAC (Scottish Science Advisory Council, 2016). Scotland’s fertility is lower and life expectancy at birth is lower. The population is ageing at a faster rate according to SSAC (2016). Half of the population in Scotland is mostly half younger and older which is called median age. The median age of the population in Scotland is projected to increase. However, in some region with lower socioeconomic status have a lower life expectancy and poorer health condition (SSAC, 2016). Generally, it is notable that people with dementia will increase when people are living longer. Thus, older people that engaged in purposeful activities and well developed social networks have better health and less dependency on health and social care (SSAC, 2016).
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NEWS OF SCOTLAND 8
The number of elderly aged 70 and over in Scotland are living with no friends or relatives is expected to increase sharply over the next 2 decades (The Scotsman, 2018). According to the report in Scotsman, older adults are more likely to live alone than younger people. Scotland is facing a demographic time bomb in the coming decades with a sharp escalation of the elderly population, pressuring fears over how burdened services will cope (The Scotsman, 2017). The population of elderly has abruptly increased in the past ten years.
According to research that reveals the significant impact of health inequalities on end-of-life-care, people in the most deprived areas of Scotland are more likely to die alone at home (The Guardian, 2018). In western Europe, Scotland continues to have some of the lowest life expectancy rates. Scotland is failing to plan properly for the ageing population (Herald Scotland, 2018). The news from Herald stated that the charity said more needed to be done to deal with the need of older people.
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WHY ARE MAJORITY OF ELDERY LIVING ALONE? The most common reasons of the older adults living alone: retirement, bereavement, children leaving home and living far away from relatives and friends. Illnesses such as depression and dementia will come easily whenever people are become socially isolated. Being alone will also lead to a severe decline in physical health and wellbeing. With poor physical health, they cannot take care of themselves. Some may have financial difficulties to support themselves. Due to the rapid growth of ageing population, social and health care are currently insufficient. As the UK has more people needing physical and financial support, this is likely to mean that demand and supply of care will diverge, at the same time there are fewer people able to fund public services and provide care (Letwin, Harper, Walport, 2016).
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What can be done to reduce the loneliness of older people?
Who will be How can we meet
taking care of them?
the needs of older people in a way that is both affordable and sustainable?
More engagement
More communications needed to reduce the loneliness of older people
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with other generations
More care required to help older people with needs
Bridge generation gap to encourage meaningful interaction, cooperation and experience
Childcare
Integration of
young + old
Eldercare
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INTRODUCTION TO INTERGENERATIONAL CARE Intergenerational care is where multiple generations obtain constant services at the same space and interact through either planned or informal intergenerational activities (Generations United, 2002). A communal site that provides a new environment where children and older adults share spaces, learn and grow together that are reciprocally beneficial. The intergenerational engagement not only benefits the adult but also to children. Research has shown that children improve in their behavior towards the older adults in general. Both old and young benefit from each other. Older adults received unconditional love from the children and children learn knowledge and skills from older adults. This help to improve older adults’ negative perception towards the ageing process and develop their sense of purpose.
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HI STO RY B E HI ND IT In 1976, intergenerational care is thought to have officially started in Japan, when Shimada Masaharu merged a nursery school and care home in Tokyo with great success. This started a wave and soon more intergenerational care facilities opened in Japan and the US, with everyone in the know applauding the positive effects of the practice (Handicare UK, 2018). Today there are intergenerational care facilities in countries across the globe, although it has yet to become a mainstream practice.
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E X A MPL E S O F I NT E RG E NE R AT I O NAL L E A R NI NG A ND CARE There are several successful examples of intergenerational learning and care centre around the world. Three intergenerational learning and care centres have caught many attentions from media, there are from Seattle, USA, London, UK and Singapore. These examples bring childcare and eldercare together in the same site and provide many meaningful activities and interactions. This enhances more opportunities for children and older people to have frequent engagements in a shared site. This helps the elderly to get more motivated to activities when children are around. Children able to help liven up the usual boring atmosphere.
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It is an Intergenerational Learning Centre situated in West Seattle. They earned an award-winning child care program. With more than 400 older adults, programs and activities are either planned or spontaneously organized for children. Children and residents come together in all sorts of activities five days in a week. Through these programs result in mutual benefits for both generations. They believe that the frequent interactions between children and people of all ages are an essential part of the intergenerational community.
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UK’s first intergenerational nursery opened in September 2017. It is a partnership between the Jewish elderly care home charity and the Apples and Honey Nursery group. On an everyday basis, they offer a variety of intergenerational sessions between older residents and nursery children. The funds of the intergenerational program rely entirely on volunteers and donations. “Our story is only the beginning of a conversation to be held about how to combat social isolation and loneliness while grappling with the complexities of increasingly resourcestrapped elderly care and difficult to access children”, said the Co-Founder & Director of Apples and Honey Nightingale CIC.
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First
intergenerational
Singapore,
reopened
home in
in
August
2017. It is a six-story home with a rooftop garden and accommodates 412
residents
which
are
almost
three times than previous capacity. The new building of Infant and Childcare
Centre
is
built
within
the area of the home as well. The spokesperson of St. Joseph’s Home said that the presence of children brings a vibrant environment to the dull and depressing nursing homes which help to enhance the elderly’s wellbeing. The governments of Singapore shares their vision of having 10 new childcare and eldercare facilities to be placed in HDB (Housing and Development Board) housing developments.
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INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAM BENEFITS BOTH CHILDREN & ELDERLY “Friendships between members of the different social group is the most influential type of intergroup contact,” (Drury, Abrams, & Swift 2017). We often talk a lot about helping older people in many ways. However, in fact, they can help the younger ones as well. The young and old are mostly connected with the essence of living (Bosak, 2018). There is an experiment tested and recorded in a programme called Channel 4. A group of 4 years old get to spend time with older people involving in a variety of activities which include walking outdoor, picnic and a sports day. Older participants underwent tests assessing their mobility, cognition, and mood before the experiment. One of the residents aged 88-yearold was reluctant to get involved in activities as the experiment began. He was proclaiming that it was not feasible for him to play active games with children because he has an artificial leg. After some encouragement from the children, he was beyond happy to play around with the children despite his limited physical limitations.
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On the other hand, intergenerational bonds can help children build life skills and confidence. Bosak (2018) mentioned that children will often find that older adults are safe to talk with and confide in. This enable elderly feel that they have the ability to influence a confused child. There are a lot of qualities that children can gain from older adults such as knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Children look beyond the ageist stereotypes by getting to know “real, live people” (Bosak, 2018). The young become more comfortable and understanding with the process of ageing. Intergenerational engagement brings several to both young and old. It can lessen prejudice towards a wide range of people (Drury, Abrams, & Swift 2017). This engagement can change attitudes of children to older adults. In turn, older people also gain many benefits to their mental and physical health.
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CROOKFUR COTTAGE HOME
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Photos from 1968
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A RCHI T E CT U R E HI STO RY OF CR O O KFU L COTTA GE HO MES Sir Basil Spence Glover & Ferguson are appointed by the Linen and Woollen Drapers Association in 1964 to design a housing scheme on a wooded site at Newton Mearns on the south side of Glasgow (“Canmore”, 2018). The housing is intended for drapery trade retirees. The housing comprised 50 cottages arranged in terraces of two, three and four. They are placed around a central group of connected two-story blocks, 20 flats, a small hospital wing, and a dining hall (“Canmore, 2018). There is also a hall that houses 130 seats for events and performances. White harling and slate tiles are used throughout the mono-pitched roofs and walls of the building. The Cottage Homes are completed in 1967 and the scheme of the project won a Civic Trust Award in 1968.
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INTRODUCTION TO CROOKFUL COTTAGE HOMES Crookfur Cottage Homes is situated in Newton Mearns, in the south side of Glasgow, Scotland. It was opened in 1967. The estate provided accommodations, care, and support services to more than 1400 retired retailers. It was donated by Sir Hugh Fraser. He helped the enhanced quality of their life, supported them to lead active and independent lives. The accommodation consists of 44 cottages with one bedroom, 24 flats, and 13 extra care apartments. Cottages and flats are suitable for single people and couple. Currently, they have 92 residents. The residents enjoyed their retirement life in a safe and secure environment.
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It was designed by Sir Basil Spence. The landscape of the site is incomparable with other care homes. The setting is very peaceful and provided a sense of freedom. Human scale buildings in Crookfur Cottage Homes are friendly and welcoming instead of stacks of chunky buildings. However, the Cottage Homes is currently under redevelopment as they want to help more people. They are doubling the accommodations to fit an additional 100 units. Based on the current architect for Cottage Homes, Sam Thompson, he claimed that the current buildings are no longer fit for purpose and refurbishment is needed.
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R E D E V E L O PME NT O F CR O O KFU L COTTA G E HO ME S The current apartments only able to cater 4 units and it is not friendly for physical disabilities residents. As the accommodations has been 51 years since completed, so the interior of the current homes required often maintenance, according to the residents. The redevelopment allow more people to live affordably and independently within their own homes. The project is supported by a registered charity known as retailTrust. Their vision is to double their current provision. The new homes will implement latest care technology that allow the carer to respond quickly to the residents. The new accommodation will fit both couples and single people. New provision of facilities for the accommodations to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities.
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ME ET I NG U P CR O O KFU R R E SI D E N TS For a better understanding of the lifestyles of elderly people from the retirement home, I arranged an informal meet up with residents at Crookfur Cottage Homes on 15 November 2018. I prepared a few questions regarding the place and what they normally do in their daily life. The staffs arranged 3 female residents for the meetup. The meet up went well however due to my limited English proficiency, I did not get some of the information from the residents. Overall, due to the limited time, the information is insufficient for the research proposal. I will prepare a set of questions for all the residents in the coming weeks. As a summary, I gained more information about the daily routine and activities of the residents. This allows me to have more thoughts on how to plan and to research on project 5B. By gathering the information on the daily routine of the residents and researching on the daily routine of preschool children, I have sorted out the possible time for engagement activities.
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DAILY MORNING ROUTINE
CHILDREN (PRESCHOOL)
ELDERLY PEOPLE (RETIREMENT HOME)
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DAILY AFTERNOON ROUTINE
CHILDREN (PRESCHOOL)
ELDERLY PEOPLE (RETIREMENT HOME)
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POSSIBLE INTEGRATIONS FOR MORNING SESSION
PROPOSED INTERGENERATIONAL INTEGRATIONS SCHEDULE FOR MORNING SESSION
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The above diagram is the integrations schedule for the morning session. Children will have breakfasts with the elderly after their normal playing and learning sessions. After breakfast, activities for children and seniors will take place for about more than an hour. After that, lunch will be provided for the elderly and children as well. Some parents may have already prepared lunch for their kids therefore not all children will join the lunch session 48
POSSIBLE INTEGRATIONS FOR AFTERNOON SESSION
PROPOSED INTERGENERATIONAL INTEGRATIONS SCHEDULE FOR AFTERNOON SESSION
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The above diagram is the integrations schedule for the afternoon session. Some children will join lunch with the elderly before the learning session started. While children are having playing and learning session, the residents will be resting. The integrations will take place after tea time session. Engagement activities will take place for more than an hour. After that, children will be going home and residents can still continue their daily activities.
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After looking at how a retirement caters to the needs of elderly residents from Crookfur Cottage Homes, more thoughtful considerations will be implemented in the following proposal for Design Studies 5B. Next stage of the proposal aims to look at new integrations activities and building types that are suitable for the children and elderly in a shared site.
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BU I L D I NG PR O G R A MMES The proposed project consists of private spaces for elderly and children as well as sharing spaces where intergenerational programs take place. Private spaces for the elderly include cottages, apartments, emergency health services, and a fitness centre. Cottages and apartments vary in size that fit single people, couple and 3-4 person family. Health service for the elderly in case of any unexpected events such as slip, trip or fall as well as other health concerns. The elderly fitness centre provides light exercise equipment that allows them to exercise more often to keep physically and mentally active. On the other hand, children facilities include toddler care room, preschool classroom, and playground. Toddle care room and preschool classroom allows them to have private space for learning and playing. Lastly, sharing spaces include a community centre, food hall and community garden. Community centre able to cater several intergenerational activities and interactions. Sharing food hall that enables that eating environment more vibrant. The community garden that encourages both that young and old to engage with nature.
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